Spring has sprung, and we're digging into the season at Hudson Valley Skin Care. Between planning our garden and prepping seeds, we're ready for warm, sunny days. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting out, there's something special about planting, tending, and watching your garden grow.
This year, we're planting lavender, basil, rosemary, tomatoes, carrots, and more —a mix of easy, fragrant, and functional plants that thrive in the Hudson Valley. But we want to know—what's growing in your garden?
If you're looking for easy-to-grow ideas, try these:
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For beginners: Lettuce, radishes, basil—fast-growing & low-maintenance
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For pollinators: Lavender, bee balm, sunflowers—great for bees & butterflies
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For small spaces: Cherry tomatoes, strawberries, rosemary—perfect for patios
While planting and pruning outside, don't forget to protect and care for your skin and wear SPF and a sun hat. Long UV exposure could lead to sun damage, premature aging, dry skin, and cancer. Let's get into 7 tips to help you enjoy the season while keeping bugs away and nourishing your skin.
Garden Skincare Essentials
🦟 1. Keeping Bugs Away Naturally
If there's one thing we all hate, it's mosquitos and ticks. Wearing long sleeves and tucking your pants into your socks are great ways to prevent bites. An extra boost of protection is using bug repellent. There are many different types; however, some have harsher chemicals that may be harmful with long-term exposure. A natural option is to use a Citronella Bug Repellent Spray on your clothes and shoes. A Citronella Candle is a great option too.
🖐 2. Scrub Off the Dirt
We love the feeling of soil between our fingers, but after a day of gardening, it's time to scrub, cleanse, and moisturize. There is nothing like the self-care that comes after gardening; it can put you in a meditative state. Dirt-covered hands need a deep clean. A great way to exfoliate and cleanse is with a gritty bar soap. Our Gotta Grow Gardener's Bar Soap scrubs away dirt while keeping hands soft.
🌿 3. Restore Your Hardworking Hands
Dirt, sun, gloves, and frequent washing can leave hands dry and cracked. A great way to prevent this is by frequently moisturizing your hands with a rich formula. A Gardening Hand Balm is a great way to lock in moisture and soothe overworked skin. You can use it as an occlusive barrier under gloves or massage it into your hands afterward. Plus, it's great on cuticles.
🚿 4. Choose Fragrance-Free While Outdoors
Springtime pollen and outdoor allergens can make scented products feel overwhelming. Plus, they encourage bugs to find you. Opting for Fragrance Free products is a great way to decrease the number of bug bites on your skin. Our Fragrance Free Goat-To Body Lotion and Fragrance-Free Bar Soap keep your skin fresh and moisturized—without added fragrances.
☀️ 5. Give Your Skin an Antioxidant Boost
Sun exposure and environmental stressors can take a toll on your skin. Between drying it out and increasing the risk of burns, protecting your skin after sun exposure is crucial to keeping your skin barrier healthy, and antioxidants do just that. Our lightweight Face Oil is formulated with a fatty acid blend of Squalane, Sunflower Seed Oil, and Vitamin E to help fight free radicals, hydrate, and strengthen for extra protection.
💋 6. Don't Forget Your Lips
Long hours in the sun = dry, chapped lips. Keep them soft and replenish moisture with a nourishing lip balm. We always choose the natural option, opting for Beeswax and Avocado Butter—an essential for every gardener's pocket, and a $6 jar will last you a whole year.
🕵️ 7. Always End with a Tick Check
If you live in the Northeast, you know the drill. With the return of warm weather, muddy afternoons, and hours outside comes the return of ticks. Always do a full head-to-toe check after gardening, especially around ankles, behind ears, and in clothing folds. Follow with a warm shower and washing your clothes.
Let's Grow Together! 🌱
What's on your planting list this spring? Are you growing veggies, herbs, flowers? Tag us on social media (@hvskincare) with your garden updates! We love seeing what our community is planting.
