Skin Soothers

Most plant lovers do their gardening bare-handed, even though the same sun, water, and earth that nurture gardens can wreak havoc on skin. “I like to feel my hands in the soil,” says Pacific Northwest gardener Tom Fischer, author of Perennial Companions (Timber Press), “and if I'm weeding—a frequent activity—it's essential to feel the culprit's roots, so that I can remove as much of the plant as possible.” Fortunately, help is within reach.

Here are 10 restorative balms preferred by some of our favorite gardeners:

“I sometimes make my own scrubs with Dead Sea salt. But for other times, Wild Carrot Herbals Vanilla Bean Skin Cream and Alaffia Cocoa Butter Intensive Body Lotion-Vanilla Mocha are my two favorites.” — Lauren Hall-Behrens, owner of Lilyvilla Gardens design studio

“If you start out with sensitive skin, like I do, you become an expert at sussing out the best. For me, that's Aesop Geranium Leaf Body Balm and Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm.” —Lise Funderburg, deputy editor, GARDEN DESIGN

“SwissJust Juniper Cream is great for muscle relaxation, so I use it before and after gardening, as well as when I'm training for triathlons. Plus, it smells amazing, so people in the locker room are always asking about it.” —Tracy DiSabato-Aust, garden designer, champion triathlete, and author of The Well-Tended Perennial Garden (Timber Press)

“They may not be fancy, but I like Eucerin Daily Skin Balance and Bag Balm, which I use not only on my own skin but on my dogs and horses, and on my chickens, whose combs can get frostbite in the winter. It's one of those things that stays in my bathroom, my kitchen, and in my tack room.” —Sheila Bridges, interior designer

“The garden is actually harder on my hands than the clay I work with all day. I keep Compagnie de Provence Fig of Provence by the sink at all times, because it's not at all greasy and it smells so elegant!”—Frances Palmer, Frances Palmer Pottery

“I keep all sorts of lotions within reach, especially anything that offers sun protection, but for workhorses that absorb quickly and last, Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturizing Lotion and Savannah Bee Company Beeswax Hand Cream are hard to beat.” —Lindsey Taylor, style director, GARDEN DESIGN