Clean Beauty and Cancer: How Natural Products Can Restore Well-Being

Being diagnosed with cancer is never easy. Among the many pamphlets and medical information given to you is a list that names all the household and product ingredients you should avoid. Fighting cancer is exhausting and so is trying to navigate switching from conventional beauty products to non-toxic beauty.

We want to make that easier for you.

Lipstick Angels is a nonprofit organization that strives to provide comfort, support, and education made simple for those going through unbearably difficult times. As an organization, we aim to restore the dignity, hope, and self-esteem to people living with cancer by offering complimentary, personalized, and oncology-sensitive beauty and skin care services to patients nationwide.

We have teamed up with Primally Pure to talk about clean beauty and cancer and how these non-toxic products can help to restore well-being and combat some of the many harsh side effects of cancer treatment.

First thing first, understanding your skin!

Skin has many functions. It’s the bodies largest organ and it is our first line of defense against infectious viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens. So, it’s understandable why having a good skincare routine is so important!

And unfortunately, skin related side effects are common with most cancer treatments, resulting in dry, flakey skin and certain treatments can even cause rashes and hyperpigmentation. This can lead to a weakened skin barrier making it harder for the skin to fight against bacteria and other pathogens and can make the skin more susceptible to damage.

This can manifest in many ways, dryness being one of the most common side effects we see when preforming Lipstick Angels’ services and this is something patients will often talk about with us.

Dry skin occurs when the skin is lacking natural oils, which in turn cause the skin cells to lose water, resulting in dry skin. For optimal skin health there needs to be a balance of oil and water for the skin to stay healthy and function normally.

I like to think of dry, dehydrated skin like a dry sponge. When a sponge is dry, it is hard to bend, easier to scratch and cause damage, and feels like you could break it in half. But when a sponge is wet, it is pliable, hydrated and you can bend it easily without breaking. Your skin is very similar.

Dry, dehydrated skin cuts more easily, it is more vulnerable to its environment and feels rough to the touch. When skin is hydrated, it is plump, feels smooth, and it can better protect itself from its environment.

If you are experiencing sensitivity or irritated skin while undergoing cancer treatment, it is best to incorporate products that specifically focus on soothing the skin. Alternatively, you can make a cold compress or body wrap out of green tea and chamomile and apply that to your affected areas.

Experiencing unwanted side effects is stressful, not only can it cause physical discomfort, but it can have a negative emotional impact as well. Going through cancer treatment is difficult enough - you deserve to feel confident and comfortable in your skin!

So how can one support their skin during and after cancer treatment?

The answer is simple. Create an easy-to-follow routine using quality non-toxic skincare products that are straightforward and effective and help to hydrate, soothe, and support the skin. Spoiler alert, you don’t need a lot of products to achieve this either!

When navigating cancer treatment, the focus is on getting well. Often time, chemotherapy and other treatments are draining and consume almost all of one’s energy, so we don’t prescribe any complicated or unfeasible routines. We want this to be easy and accessible.

Below is a simple routine we have created for you to help support you on this journey:

AM/PM

• Step 1: Cleanse with Primally Pure Cleansing Oil
• Step 2: Tone with Plumping or Soothing Mist
• Step 3 (optional): Use Plumping or Soothing Serum depending on your skincare needs
• Step 4: Hydrate using either Plumping or Soothing Cream
• Step 5: Natural SPF (AM only)

Additional options:

• Face mask: Masks are a wonderful addition to any skincare routine and are a targeted and specific way of addressing skin care concerns. We recommend the Plumping Mask from Primally Pure to help combat dryness during treatment.
• Gua sha: A Traditional Chinese Medicine method using a stone to help stimulate blood flow and lymph.

Maintaining a loving relationship with one’s body while undergoing cancer treatment can be complicated. There can be a lot of reasons why one would not feel safe in their body or have trust in their body; creating a simple routine that focuses on care of oneself can help to repair that relationship and bring oneself closer to their body, mind, and spirit.

Creating ritual around self-care is deeply healing and can be wonderful way to tune into what is going on internally as well as externally. We know navigating this journey can be overwhelming and difficult and we at Lipstick Angels (and Primally Pure) want you know that we are here for you, you are not alone.

With tremendous love and care, The Lipstick Angels Team