Your skin works hard at the best of times. During chemotherapy, it has even more to deal with. Treatment can make skin drier, more sensitive, more reactive to sunlight and more prone to irritation from things that would normally be completely fine.
The good news is that a few simple adjustments to your routine make a big difference.
Keep it gentle
Swap out any products with strong fragrances, alcohol or harsh active ingredients. During treatment, your skin doesn't need exfoliating or brightening — it needs to be calm and supported. Look for gentle, fragrance-free cleansers and wash with lukewarm water rather than hot.
Brands that many of our customers rate highly include Aveeno, the Simple range (both widely available in supermarkets and pharmacies) and Faith in Nature, which is a UK-made vegan range available at Holland and Barrett and Boots.
Moisturise regularly
Apply a gentle moisturiser every day — ideally immediately after a bath or shower when your skin is still slightly damp, as this helps lock in moisture. Bosom Buddies Puriskin Resurfacing Formula was created specifically for people undergoing chemo and radiotherapy; it's fragrance-free and absorbs quickly.
If you prefer something completely natural, a light layer of almond oil, apricot oil or coconut oil works beautifully as an everyday moisturiser. A few drops of rosemary essential oil added to a base oil can also help stimulate the scalp, but always dilute it and use sparingly.
Protect yourself from the sun
Chemotherapy makes your skin significantly more sensitive to UV light. Sunburn can happen much faster than you'd expect, and the effects can be more severe. Use SPF 30 at minimum whenever you're going outside — SPF 50 is better — and reapply every two hours.
Cover your scalp too. A wide-brimmed hat is the kindest thing for exposed skin on your head. We have a range of summer chemo hats with wide brims and soft cotton construction that work well in warm weather.
Wear soft, breathable fabrics
The clothes and headwear you put on also affect your skin. Rough fabrics against a sensitive scalp or body can cause real irritation. Stick to natural fibres such as cotton and bamboo — both breathable and soft — and avoid anything with harsh seams, elastic or labels directly against the skin.
All of our chemo hats and headscarves are made from 100% cotton or bamboo and are designed with exactly this in mind.
Stay hydrated
Your skin's health is connected to how well hydrated you are overall. Treatment can sometimes make this harder — nausea, fatigue and loss of appetite all affect how much you drink. Aim for eight glasses of water a day and keep a glass within reach at all times.
