Out and About in the Garden
New England gardens are gorgeous this time of the year, and for garden lovers, this is a great way to spend time outdoors, relieve stress, express creativity and enjoy the fruits of your labor. However, without taking the proper precautions, this feel-good pastime could lead to skin irritation/rashes, unwanted sunburns and unwelcome bug bites (mosquitoes, ticks and horse flies, oh my!).
We want to make sure you get the most out of our your gardening season, so our team at janegee has put together a list of ways to keep you safe and healthy as you work alongside your plants this summer:
How to keep the dreaded lil’ buggers at bay!
- Natural bug sprays: Most insect repellents are loaded with harmful toxins, so it’s wise to choose a natural option! It is recommended to find a natural bug spray that contains oil/extract of lemon eucalyptus.
- Mosquitoes: Believe it or not, mosquitoes are attracted to certain odors in the body. If you are one of the “lucky ones” whom the mosquitoes are drawn to, change your body odor! You can do this by rubbing your skin with lavender, basil leaves or any fragrant plant. This simple trick will fool the Mozzies so you can enjoy the outdoors in peace.
- Tick prevention: The Delta Gardens Garlic flower essence is a “must-have” when combating ticks. This natural product is known to prevent bites and is safe for both children and animals. Oh, and don’t forget to do a post-gardening tick check just in case!
Skin Protection
- Sunburn remedy: This is our #1 go-to for sunburns! Simply cut a tomato in half (organic if possible) and gently rub it on your sunburn. The lycopene in the tomato will re-establish the pH balance in your skin, soothe the burn and promote healing. The next day you may still be slightly red, but you will have little to no pain and your skin will heal more quickly. Don’t have a tomato on hand? Black cold tea will also do the trick!
- Rejuvenate and soothe sun-exposed skin with janegee Suncare, our restorative Buttercremes, or one of our dead sea salt baths.
- Hydrated skin is healthy skin! This may sound counter-intuitive, but adding a pinch of salt to your water will actually aid in hydration and water retention. Yes, salt can be dehydrating when consumed in excess, but when consumed in moderation, salt can increase cell hydration, which will leave your skin and body feeling happy.
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Caution: Do keep in mind that citrus oils, along with other essential oils, are considered photosensitive. Meaning, the oil can cause skin damage (burns, blisters, irritation) when on skin and exposed to sunlight.
- If necessary, use a safe, natural sunscreen such as Badger Balm or Raw Elements. Both product lines are available at janegee.
What to wear - To protect your body from prolonged exposure to the sun and to avoid pesky bug bites and skin irritation, it is always recommended to wear:
- A hat
- Lightweight long sleeve shirts
- Long pants
- Gardening gloves
- Comfortable, supportive shoes or boots
How to treat irritated skin
- Essential oils for rashes: Lavender, Melablend, and BlueMel essential oils are great for helping soothe rashes and irritated skin. Make sure to mix with a carrier before applying!
- Use our janegee Sweet Stick for calming bug bites, rashes, and broken skin.
There you have it! A quick how-to guide to ensure you’re summer gardening is carried out with care. Have questions? Contact our team of skincare experts today.
Resources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28171823
http://info.achs.edu/blog/what-is-photosensitivity-with-essential-oils
