When you're going through chemotherapy, your skin and scalp become much more sensitive than usual. The list of things people tell you to buy can feel overwhelming and expensive. But honestly, you don't need to spend a fortune to look after your skin well during treatment.
I asked a group of customers to tell me what they'd actually used and rated during chemo. Here's what came back.
Shampoo
The Lush Cinnamon Shampoo Bar came up again and again. It's free from synthetic ingredients, cruelty-free, and comes in plastic-free packaging. It contains cinnamon and clove to gently stimulate the scalp, along with nettle and peppermint to soothe irritation. At around £8.99, it's great value too.
Faith in Nature also came highly recommended. This UK-based, vegan brand makes affordable shampoos and shower gels that are genuinely gentle on sensitive skin. You can find their products on their own website, at Holland & Barrett and at Boots.
A note on baby shampoo: a lot of people assume it must be the gentlest option, but it doesn't actually contain any conditioning agents. For a scalp that's already dry and sensitive, that can make things worse rather than better.
Moisturiser
For skin that's feeling sore and irritated, Bosom Buddies Puriskin Resurfacing Formula came up as a favourite. It was created specifically for people undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy, is fragrance-free, and absorbs quickly without feeling heavy. It's around £13.99.
If you're looking for something simpler and even more accessible, the Simple skincare range is worth knowing about. You'll find it in most supermarkets, Boots and chemists. Simple uses no harsh ingredients, artificial colours or unnecessary chemicals, and it's PETA-certified cruelty-free.
Natural Oils
For massaging into dry or tight scalp skin, you really can't go wrong with a good base oil. Olive oil, sweet almond oil, apricot kernel oil and Moroccan (argan) oil are all excellent choices. If you enjoy aromatherapy, you can add a small amount of rosemary essential oil — but always dilute it in a carrier oil first and use sparingly, particularly if your skin is sensitive. Rosemary is a known stimulant, which makes it brilliant for the scalp, but a little goes a long way.
I hope this gives you a helpful starting point. None of these products will break the bank, and they all come highly recommended by people who've been through treatment themselves. If you've found something that worked brilliantly for you, I'd love to hear about it.
