Dry skin, blisters, and cracked fingernails – the hands of a gardening lover certainly go through a whole lot in the name of planting and pruning. But if you thought you’d said goodbye to manicures and soft hands, don’t worry. Gardening experts Greenhouse Sensation is here to help.
- Don’t forget your gloves
Whether you’re a newbie or an expert, the very best way to protect your hands is to wear gardening gloves. But we’re not talking about a flimsy pair, we’re talking about a good, thick and sturdy pair that will protect you from the elements and thorny bushes. Avoid gloves that are made from poor quality materials, feel too difficult to move in or fit poorly. Instead look for a pair that is durable, strong and comfortable – you won’t regret it.
Want a little tip? Slather on some hand cream before putting on your gloves to have a cheeky moisturising session while you’re gardening.
- Always wear sun cream
Sun cream isn’t just for going on holiday. Even if it looks cloudy outside, the sun can still damage your skin, cause premature ageing and contribute to serious illnesses such as cancer. Look for four-star UVA and at least SPF15 of UVB protection, and make sure it’s applied thickly to your ears, face, back of the neck and shoulders. When looking at a sun cream look at ones that includes natural and organic sun protection ingredients like titanium dioxide and zinc over the chemicals protection agents as these can be toxic. More natural sun protection ingredients lie on top of the skin and reflect the sun’s rays rather then allow them to be absorbed like their chemical counterparts. Another good option besides a sun cream is using an organic CC cream or even a natural BB cream. Not only do organic cc creams often have SPF15 (or more), but they also contain ingredients that are good for the skin and even help with color correction of imperfections like redness and dark spots. Oh, and don’t forget your hat and sunglasses.
- Take care of your nails
If you’re digging around elbow deep in soil, your nails are unfortunately going to suffer as a result. You’ll probably find they become quite brittle, are prone to splitting and you may suffer from sore cuticles. To combat all of this, invest in a high quality nail treatment and a cuticle oil to apply and after you’re done gardening and before bed.
- Be prepared for insects
Keep insect repellant on you at all times – maybe in your gardening box or belt so it’s easily within reach. The last thing you want is to start tackling weeds and bushes in the summer heat with a cloud of midges attacking you and no protection. Another tool to have in your belt is an after bite stick to help soothe any stings and bites that you do get.
- Look after splinters
Splinters are an inevitable part of gardening, but don’t worry, they’re easy to cure. Use a little bit of baby oil to help it slide out a little easier. Once your skin is completely clear, use antiseptic cream to avoid an infection. If it’s a tough little guy buried deep in your finger, a pharmacist can probably help.
- Invest in good hand cream
While we’ve said ‘invest’, good hand creams don’t have to cost the earth. As a gardener, you’re not necessarily looking for an incredible scent or luxury packaging, but rather a cream that is going to provide a skin-saving level of nourishment. Being out in all weather and using your hands is going to take its toll and they may become dehydrated and sore. Natural ingredients such as beeswax, lanolin and glycerin should high on your list.
- Take care of your hands as you would your face
Chances are that you have a facial skincare regime to keep your skin in tip top condition, and your hands are no different. Once you’ve got in from a good hard session in the garden, it’s essential that you take some time to look after them. Use a hand soak or a scrub and a gentle soap, clean the buildup of dirt from under your fingernails and apply your top quality hand cream. If you feel like really treating yourself, using a hand mask.
XOXO
Debbie
This is a collaborative post
