Throughout my work with the cancer charity Look Good Feel Better I have seen many times the effects that cancer treatments can have on the skin, in particular how it can make it drier and more sensitive. Here are my top tips on how to keep your skin looking and feeling at its best.
- Try Before You Buy
Skin reactions can be common during treatment so try a product before you buy and do a patch test. If you are interested in sampling any of our products at The Dartmoor Skincare Company, please do get in touch.
- Check Ingredients
Cancer treatments can make you more sensitive to fragrances (parfum) and harsh surfactants (sulphates; SLS, SLES). By disrupting the natural oils that maintain the skins integrity, these ingredients can further dry out your skin and strip it of its protective barrier. Avoid products using harsh preservatives. The preservative system we use at The Dartmoor Skincare Company is non-paraben, non-formaldehyde and non-isothizolone. We also never use sulphates or fragrances in our skincare range.
- Use a hydrating Skincare Routine
As chemotherapy reduces the amount of oil your glands secrete you may find that treatment makes your skin drier, so focus on a skincare routine to hydrate your skin. Cleanse, tone and moisturise twice a day with hydrating products:
- Choose a gentle creamy cleanser rather than a foaming facial wash that may strip your skin of its protective qualities and dry it out.
- Use a gentle and hydrating toner.
- Moisturise with a product rich in oils to nourish your skin.
You can find further help and advice on these pages recommended by Cancer Research UK:
http://www.lookgoodfeelbetter.co.uk/
https://www.changingfaces.org.uk/
http://www.lets-face-it.org.uk/