Crabtree & Evelyn make an outstanding hand cream, best I've found. It has a light, slightly sweet herby scent.

It's got shea butter and beeswax I think for a rich and soothing feel.

It comes in three different sizes, an 8 ounce pump, and also in 3.4 ounce tube and 1.7 ounce tube.

I notice from the website they've added some new hand products to their collection, including a nail cream.

Here is a link that might be useful: Gardener's Hand Car

You might try AmLactin 12% Moisturizing Cream (they make a less potent lotion too, you'll want the cream). Made by Upsher-Smith, has lactic acid which is a natural skin humectant. My doctors nurse suggested it; I find it at an old fashioned family owned Rexall. About $12. I hate a greasy feel or perfume on my hands, this doesn't have that.

If you are desperate and want almost overnight healing when they get so dry they hurt, buy a pair of cotton gloves and slather on Neosporin ointment, a good tablespoon or more (now you want the ointment and not the cream:)) at bedtime. Hopefully you are better behaved and do not pull off the gloves in your sleep, oiling up your expensive sheets, like I do....

I have the Crabtree and Evelyn but if you want something extra soothing and healing try Aquapor ointment. It's very rich and like a once per week treatment. You can use it whenever you want though. I'm a hand cream collector, lol.
Aveda makes a nice smooth one too. Yes in cotton gloves.

Carla

my DH uses a product called "Nothing like it"--it was formerly called 'Hoof Hoof Horray"
1-800-288-4325------

DH says it works better than anything he has ever tried.

Florence

Thanks -

I got some cotton spa gloves and liked wearing them last night. My hands get cold at night, and I am always trying to tuck them under the blankets. :-) I am going to try the thin cotton gloves under my work gloves.

I have amlactin, and aquaphor. Also have a hoof product - Hoof Alive that I forgot about until Florence mentioned it - it works really well on cracks. Will have to try some of the others (also a hand cream collector). Picked up a shea butter and mango cream yesterday, and dreamed of mangos all night. Hey, aromatherapy to go with hand therapy!

It seems like neosporin will be a good thing to do as well, even A & D might help. Most of my fingers either have cracks starting from dry skin or from having to dig out a thorn.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions!

Michelle

Dear Michelle,

Olive Oil.
Tuck it under your cotton gloves...

All the best, :-D

Debbie/Dove

Try Aspercreme. Believe me, it works better than ANYTHING I've ever tried - and I've tried 'em all !!!. The minute you rub it in, your hands (and feet) feel instantly better. I use it all the time. You can get it in any drugstore.

Here is a link that might be useful: Aspercreme

Burts bees has got a bunch of things for the hands.
They have the shea butter garden hand repair just like a lot of places. I use the Garden Hand salve the defender. And I put a link to my favorite one the Bees wax Almond milk.

Here is a link that might be useful: Beeswax hand creme Almond Milk Aloe vitamin E

The better the garden looks, the worse I look!

The best stuff I have had for cracked, chapped and/or rough hands is lanolin. A friend gave me a 1lb tub of it over 20 years ago and it is still going strong. It stinks. Use latex gloves. Rub into your hands before bed and pull on gloves. Within a day or so of doing this your cracks will be healed and skin smooth.

Bag Balm works pretty well also and is a lot cheaper than the apothecary balms. Does not smell bad. Another product is Udder Cream. These are available at your farm supply or co-op.

This is indeed a helpful thread for all gardeners. Using organic products is the best way to keep your skin fresh and shining.

Toi have no skin problems, I have used pure chimp super body cream which is 100% natural.