Cancer treatment saves lives. But it can also leave your skin feeling like it's been through a battle of its own. During treatment, your skin becomes more reactive, more vulnerable to irritation, and desperately in need of gentle, effective care.
I've worked with many women navigating their way through cancer treatment who've told me their usual skincare routines suddenly feel too harsh, or that their skin has become so reactive they're scared to use anything at all. There are specific ways to support your skin through each stage of treatment. Simple adjustments can make a genuine difference to how comfortable you feel.
I'm a skincare formulator, not a doctor, so always consult your oncologist or breast cancer nurse about any skincare during treatment.
Surgery
For many women, surgery marks the beginning of their treatment journey. Whether you're facing a lumpectomy or mastectomy, your skin needs special care as it heals.
The golden rule? Don't apply anything to your scar until it's fully sealed. This is crucial for preventing infection, particularly in areas where skin naturally folds.
Once your medical team gives you the all-clear, you can start supporting your skin's healing process. The key to minimising scarring lies in combining deep hydration with active skin regeneration.
- Hydrate from multiple angles. Use a high water content moisturiser like Love And Haight (look for 'aqua' first in the ingredients). Support this with plenty of water and a quality omega supplement.
- Add regenerative power. Mix a few drops of Rosehip Bioregenerate Oil with your moisturiser. Our CO2-extracted rosehip contains concentrated compounds that actively support skin repair and scar healing. It's what we're known for.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy can cause your skin to become dry, itchy, red or darker, or peel. Many women find their skin becomes chronically dehydrated, with persistent flakiness, particularly on the face.
What works:
Hydrate constantly, inside and out. Use recommended creams or lotions to prevent your skin from becoming dry and itchy. Keep a gentle, fragrance-free moisturiser in your bag for top-ups throughout the day. Love And Haight absorbs quickly without heaviness.
Avoid anything that foams. Foaming cleansers strip your already compromised skin. Switch to a cream cleanser like Middlemist Seven and choose bath oils over bubble baths.
Gentle exfoliation helps. Removing flaky surface cells lets healthy skin absorb moisture better. Use The Aileron Cleansing Cloths with warm water for the gentlest approach.
Protect vulnerable areas. Use sunscreen and sun-protective lip balm. Keep hand cream and a nourishing lip balm with you at all times. These delicate areas often crack first.
You may develop a minor rash or sunburn easily; this is called photosensitivity. If you're experiencing this, mineral sunscreen like British Summer Time provides gentle protection without chemical filters.
Radiation
Radiation affects skin more directly than other treatments. Radiation therapy can cause skin in the treatment area to peel, become painful, and wet. The treated area becomes tender, sometimes developing temporary redness or darker patches.
During active radiation, follow your medical team's specific product recommendations. They may advise avoiding certain products before treatment sessions.
After treatment, when your skin begins healing:
- Focus on regeneration. Rosehip Bioregenerate Oil delivers omegas 3, 6, 7 and 9. These essential fatty acids are the building blocks your skin needs to repair itself.
- Layer for maximum benefit. Mix the oil with Love And Haight to create a protective, nourishing barrier while skin rebuilds.
Post-Treatment
Even after active treatment ends, many women continue experiencing skin changes from ongoing medications. Hot flushes and facial redness are particularly common, often compared to menopausal symptoms.
- Temperature control matters. Keep your environment cool, wear breathable cotton layers you can adjust, and avoid sitting in direct sun.
- Choose calming formulations. The Anthemis contains CO2-extracted chamomile that actively reduces inflammation and redness. The cooling sensation provides immediate relief during flushes.
- Build skin resilience over time. Regular use of Rosehip Bioregenerate helps strengthen your skin barrier, making it less reactive to temperature changes.
Here's something that might surprise you: Some women find their skin actually improves after recovery. The combination of paying closer attention to skincare, improving their diet, and using gentler products can lead to the healthiest skin they've had in years.
Remember, your skin is remarkably resilient. With the right support, it can heal beautifully. If you're going through treatment and need specific skincare advice, don't hesitate to reach out to our team. We understand sensitive skin because that's where Pai began.
