March, April and May symbolise all things floral!
March marks the beginning of Spring. April is the National Month of Gardening, and May is the month that hosts the highly-anticipated RHS Malvern Spring Festival (9 to 12 May 2024) and the incredibly famous Chelsea Flower Show (21 May to 25 May 2024)!
Shows, festivals, and dates aside, did you know that gardening can have a major impact on your mental health? It is true! Numerous psychological studies have shown that gardening helps most people relax and feel great.
But what about the correlation between gardening & skin health? Let’s discuss …
Let’s Start At The Beginning: What Is Gardening?
The dictionary definition says that gardening is the process of growing plants for their vegetables, fruits, flowers, herbs, and appearances within a designated space.
However, if you were born with brown thumbs instead of green fingers, gardening also includes keeping your pot plants alive by giving them adequate water, nutrients, and sunshine.
In other words … whether you are an avid gardener with a luscious vegetable garden or a mere mortal with one snake plant, this article is for you.
The Link Between Gardening & Skin Health
1. Reduces Stress
Believe it or not, being around green spaces can help you feel relaxed! We must also mention that lowering your stress levels can help improve your skin health. Why? Stress is notorious for worsening conditions like psoriasis and eczema, and it can also trigger acne breakouts by making your skin produce more oil.
2. Vitamin D
According to Skin NV’s very own Dr Natasha Verma:
“The exposure to sunlight whilst gardening stimulates the production of vitamin D that is essential for maintaining healthy skin”.
Because vitamin D helps support skin cell growth, repair, and immune function. It also aids in the prevention of skin infections and inflammation.
And yes, even though vitamin D is produced by exposure to the sun, it also helps protect you against sun damage by maintaining a protective barrier against the sun!
We have all heard the words prevention is better than cure, that is exactly why Dr. Verma advises that you do not forget your high-SPF sunscreen when working outdoors!
3. Physical Activity
Exercise does not just benefit your muscles; it also does wonders for your skin! When you exercise, blood flow increases throughout your body and this boost in blood flow brings oxygen and essential nutrients to your skin cells while whisking away soil, weeds, and debris.
A study conducted in 2012 discovered that regular exercise can help lower the risk of psoriasis in women too! Just throwing it out there.
4. Fresh Air
For our skin to maintain its youthful radiance, oxygen is essential.
Oxygen is life.
Without an adequate supply, our skin can lose its lustre and look old and dehydrated.
Here is the best part of it all. You do not have to live in the countryside to breathe in a healthy amount of oxygen during your gardening sessions. In fact, according to a groundbreaking study conducted in 2010, even the most bustling community gardens wedged between heavy traffic are oxygen oases. These areas have been shown to combat pollution and purify the air. Let us never underestimate the power of the outdoors, fresh air and plants!
How To Protect Your Skin When Gardening
1. Sunscreen
Sunburn is the worst. Not only is it painful, but it can lead to lobster-red skin, blisters, premature ageing skin, and even cancer. Even though the sun helps produce that golden vitamin D, moderation is key. Remember to apply a water-resistant, broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or above to all your exposed skin, including your face, neck, lips, and ears.
2. Protective Gear
It is not only Poison Ivy that can irritate your skin, a ton of garden plants have the potential to agitate your dermis! Therefore it is very wise to wear protective gardening gear like gloves, long sleeves, pants, socks, and shoes to help reduce the risk of allergic reactions.
3. Bug Bites
Bugs love the outdoors — it is their home, after all. So, to shield yourself from a potential bug bite or two, remember to spritz and spray a bit of DEET your way.
Additionally, when bugs are most active, you can avoid all gardening activities during dawn and dusk.
Gardening & Skin Health 101: Let’s Not Forget
Your skin is your body’s LARGEST organ! Did you know that? It protects your body from harmful things in the outside world, such as moisture, the cold, and sun rays. It also helps protect your body from germs and toxic substances.
So you need to protect it for it to protect you.
