Gardener's Hands

[Amo]

Anyone use an absolutley 100% moisturising, non greasy hand cream?

I have really dry hands all the time, they don't crack or anything drastic I just find it uncomfortable. I have hand and body creams all over the house to rub in many times a day. They are all different makes from Vasaline Intensive to Champneys. On my desk here I have Norwegian formula and down the side of the sofa I have Dove Pro Age but that is going in the bin, it smells revolting!! I use the Crabtree and Evelyn hand therapy routine regularly and slap on vasaline gloves or Bio oil and gloves at night now and then. And I've just ordered some beeswax stuff rome Celtic to give a go.

With the onset of colder and wetter (what's new) weather, anyone have a fail safe?

(Perhaps I'm becoming an OC!! Or I just get fed up with the same stuff all the time. )

[Jasmine]

I have used E45 as a handcream for a long time now and find it works really well. Have tried a few others in the past but always go back to the E45!

[Biggles]

Definately E 45--It works--I wouldn't be without it and it is not greasy-or highly perfumed--

[Missredhead]

I use M&S coconut hand cream.....smell is quite strong but I find it really good for my hands as they are always in and out of water.

[Spruance]

I used to use Vaseline Dermacare on account of it being non-greasy and non-perfumed.

It's still the same product but now it's called 'Vaseline Intensive Rescue Moisture Locking Body Lotion' which really trips off the tongue (not!).

It says it's good for very dry skin, and it is from my experience.

It tends to be around £4.99 for 400ml but I usually keep an eye out for bargains in Superdrug and/or Boots and then buy several at a time.

[Amo]

Thanks all. I have the E45 lotion but it doesn't have enough oomph so I've put their actual hand cream on the shopping list.

Just looked for yours Spru and I couldn't find one with that really snazzy name!! I was really impressed, however, with how large a mens range they had! I will give their specific hand cream a go as it's 'extra strength'!! But you are right that using some body lotions is better, the Norwegian formula I have is for body and it's only downfall it the greasyness lingers a little.

I have been known to specifically hunt out the places where there are testers whilst shopping if I'm having a dry moment so I will look in M&S next time but I'm not a fan of smells MRH. All worth a go though!!

[andy]

I have some Palmers cocoa butter formula which i use after bricklaying or concreting (which makes my hands really dry). Damn good stuff and my hands smell like a chocalate cake !!!!!

[Plocket]

I use Calendula cream because I have exceptionally dry hands and suffer from psorisis (which I can't spell!). I get a cream made by Nelsons from my local chemist, which is as natural as possible, and it absorbs very quickly

[Jasmine]

Sept 6, 2008 21:00:34 GMT Missredhead said:

I use M&S coconut hand cream.....smell is quite strong but I find it really good for my hands as they are always in and out of water.

I love the smell of coconut MRH - it reminds me of holidays! I am going to look out for that next time I go shopping!

[Rosefriend]

I use either Neutrogena (Norwegian) Hand Cream, Calendula cream or an Olive Oil Hand cream that is on the market here.

A tip Amo - when I do pork crackling, I do it my old Mum's way and that is to rub it the skin with salt, oil and vinegar. Try getting your OH to sprinkle some salt into your moist hands, rub it in a little and then add some oil and rub that in as well - your hands are so soft afterwards. Just wash off with soap. A little warning - if you have cuts the salt will sting a little but the oil afterwards will soothe.

I do this often in Spring and Autumn when my hands get into a terrible state from gardening. Once I have them relatively OK again I go back to handcream.

RF

[Missredhead]

Sept 7, 2008 17:04:46 GMT Jasmine said:

Sept 6, 2008 21:00:34 GMT Missredhead said:

I use M&S coconut hand cream.....smell is quite strong but I find it really good for my hands as they are always in and out of water.

I love the smell of coconut MRH - it reminds me of holidays! I am going to look out for that next time I go shopping!

and its only £1 ;D or was the last time I bought it.

[Jasmine]

Even better! ;D

[Jardack]

I have found any with cocoa butter in are really good for dry skin. If I can remember the name of the last one I had I will post it for you, but it was from Boots...

JArdack

[Chuckles]

On the go atm I've got

Crabtree & Evelyn Gardeners Hand Therapy
L'Occitane Shea Butter Dry Skin
Dove Regenerating
Dove Anti-Age
Vaseline Intensive Care Healthy Hands and Nail
NevO Hand & Body Passion Fruit

Have to say I never seem to stick to one sort. The first two are heavier based and best used at the end of the day imo when you can slap it on and let it absorb in. 3 feels a bit sticky for a while after and I wouldn't buy it again. 4 & 5 do the job and feel and smell nice. 5 is probably my fave, slightly oily when 1st applied but once it soaks in it leaves your hands lovely and soft and the smell is divine.

I've used Olive Oil and sugar to clean my hands before and the oil does make them feel nice and soft afterwards, I then apply a light hand cream to make them smell nice

[Amo]

Glad I'm not the only one then Chuckles. Perhaps it is a never satisfied thing!!!

Sept 7, 2008 17:14:08 GMT Rosefriend said:

I use either Neutrogena (Norwegian) Hand Cream, Calendula cream or an Olive Oil Hand cream that is on the market here.

A tip Amo - when I do pork crackling, I do it my old Mum's way and that is to rub it the skin with salt, oil and vinegar. Try getting your OH to sprinkle some salt into your moist hands, rub it in a little and then add some oil and rub that in as well - your hands are so soft afterwards. Just wash off with soap. A little warning - if you have cuts the salt will sting a little but the oil afterwards will soothe.

I do this often in Spring and Autumn when my hands get into a terrible state from gardening. Once I have them relatively OK again I go back to handcream.

RF

The gritty salt effect is like the C&E therapy, feels wonderful for a while but I still get dry a few hours later!! And it's nice if you can slap some thick stuff on under some cotton gloves before bed too. As for getting the OH to do it for you...You naughty girl! PS Glad you still do the crackling the proper way

I have just been give some Derma Guard Skin Protector from Lakeland and it's supposed to protect you from all the harsh elements and dryness etc. We'll see! (Says she squishing on her third squirt of moisturiser since 5pm. )

I don't know, they just get so dry and raspy I can't grip things properly. I mean, would any of you, fella's excluded unless you know different, go without your moisturiser after a wash ect??

[Rosefriend]

Oooo nothing "naughty" Amo - it just saves you wiping the oil bottle if you let your OH help ...... practical to the last!!

RF

[Amo]

Go on, spoil all my illusions ;D

[Rosefriend]

Here we go again - this may or may not work but it does for lips etc.

You know when you have had a really rotten cold and your nose and lips are "flaky", well one of the ways to get them ok again is to put a blob of face cleanser (cream) onto a cotton wool ball and gently rub it into your lips and nose. All the flaky skin will disappear - then put vaseline or a good cream on.

Well if you did this to your hands (I was just using a foot peeling cream actually) and got the flaky/dry skin off before using a good hand cream, perhaps, just perhaps it might work.

RF

[Deleted]

I have always suffered from dry skin (my mother was the same), I trained as a decorator (big mistake). Whenever I used water paint, plaster, filler or Sugar Soap my hands would crack. I would have to bind my thumbs and fingers up with adhesive plaster. I used to rub linseed oil into my skin whenever I could, but you can't do that if going to a dance or other social occasion.

My skin problems have become more prevalent in recent years. I mentioned it to my Doctor and was prescribed Cetraben Emollient Cream, contains mainly white soft paraffin and liquid paraffin and a whole load of other things in small quantities. It works well, but my skin still cracks.

[Amo]

Ouch, that sounds painfull Larkshall! Mine don't crack but get very raspy! Not romantic either

I've been slapping on everything including the barrier cream to start with and it seems ok but never lasts long! The cream from Celtic is very natural and based on beeswax and feels lovely but you don't want to pick up a glass after you've put it on. The mens vaseline intensive one is very nice too. I even picked up a cream for dry cracked feet to see if that had a magic ingredient and it does very well actually!! I even tried some on my feet ;D

[Jasmine]

Sept 6, 2008 21:00:34 GMT Missredhead said:

I use M&S coconut hand cream.....smell is quite strong but I find it really good for my hands as they are always in and out of water.

I bought some of this on Saturday - it's a great handcream and smells gorgeous.

[Missredhead]

was it a £1?

[Jasmine]

Yes it was - there's not much in M&S for a pound - what a bargain!

[Missredhead]

;D
watch it though cos after a while it tends to squirt everywhere but on your hands.......the nozzle gets a bit blocked. ;D

[Jasmine]

That should be fun - I'll make sure I don't stand next to anyone! ;D

[Missredhead]

it has happened to both the ones that I have bought ;D

[Cheerypeabrain]

I use E45 most of the time, but also have a tube of Gardeners' Rescue (Woods of Windsor) that was a gift...that's quite nice.

If only my nails weren't permanently ingrained with soil...it's a bit embarrassing sometimes... even vigorous scrubbing with a nailbrush doesn't always work...

[Tig]

I am sooo pleased you said that Cheery, I want to keep my hands in my pockets sometimes because I can't get my nails to look clean ;D

My hands are like sand-paper - with added blisters and callouses (?sp) x Tig

[Amo]

Ah, now nails I can do for England!! Always had long ones, I have to try to remember to trim them rather than try to grow them! OH once said, when I was about to embark on a flurry of brick laying, that I'd have to cut them short. Yeah right! I can grout with them. Not sure if that helps with cleaning underneath though. (Now you watch me go and break one!!)

First time I sailed a tall ship I was told I had hands like an Irishman's shovel so I had to marry the ropes. No one on this planet could say I have dainty hands. They are big, strong and square but I have great nails!

I always have a top coat on, stops staining, and a good stiff nail brush and one of those whitening pencils. I also 'scrape' the soap bar in the bath and let it soak in for as long as poss.

And don't forget the festering splinters and old splinter holes Tig!!

[Missredhead]

Just a thought.........

Doesn't anyone wear gloves when gardening?