Look after your skin this winter and feel more like you

Freezing temperatures, blustery winds and increasing thermostats all increase the likelihood of dry and flushed skin. Add to that the effects of cancer and its treatment, and you may be feeling like a stranger in your own skin. In this blog, content developer Debbie offers tips on looking after your skin.

In partnership with Boots, Macmillan has some tips on how to look after your skin this winter and throughout your treatment.

Changes to your skin during cancer treatment
Depending on the type of treatment you have, and how you react to it, your skin may become:

• dry
• more sensitive to sunlight
• sore in some areas
• redder (if you have light skin), or darker with a blue or black tinge (if you have dark skin)
• more sensitive to some underarm deodorants, perfumes or perfumed products.

If you are having radiotherapy or targeted therapies, the staff at the hospital will give you advice on how to care for your skin. It is important to check with them before using any skin products.

Looking after dry skin
Dry skin can be troublesome, especially if it is on your face.

A little attention can go a long way, so try these tips to combat a dry face:

• Use a gentle cleanser that won’t strip the moisture out of your skin. Creamy cleansers could be a good option, but make sure you apply the product carefully and avoid your eyes. Remove cleansers with a damp cotton wool pad or a clean, damp flannel. This will leave your skin feeling soft and clean.
• If you are using a toner, stay away from products that contain alcohol. These can dry out your skin even more.
• Use a moisturiser at least twice a day on your face and body if you have dry skin. You may need a richer moisturiser than usual.

If the skin on the rest of your body is very dry, try to:

• wash with lukewarm water and use non-perfumed bath and shower oils
• avoid using soap, as this will dry your skin out even more
• avoid long, hot showers or soaking in the bath, as this will make your skin drier
• pat your skin dry with a clean, soft towel.

Do not use products containing sodium lauryl sulphate, especially if you have eczema. This can irritate the skin.

Moisturisers containing oatmeal can be soothing for dry or sore skin. You could try filling a muslin bag with oatmeal and tying it over your bath tap so that the water runs through it. This can be good way to soothe and soften your skin in the bath.

Very dry skin can be itchy. Using an emollient or moisturising cream that contains oatmeal, menthol or 10% urea may help relieve the itchiness.

Ask your nurse specialist or oncology team for advice as they may prescribe you something to help with the itching.

Skin tone changes
You may also notice some changes in skin tone. The following tips may help to even things out:

• If you wear foundation, you may need to change from your usual shade.
• A tinted moisturiser or light-coverage foundation can work well if you are not used to wearing a lot of make-up.
• Starting slowly and building up, use a make-up brush to apply bronzer lightly to your forehead, cheekbones and down the middle of your nose to add natural-looking colour to your face.

Speak to a Boots Macmillan Beauty Advisor about other make-up options to enhance your skin tone.

Rashes or spots
If you develop a rash, always get it checked by your cancer nurse specialist or oncology team straightaway. They will know the cause and be able to give you some advice.

Some targeted therapies can cause a rash that looks very similar to acne. However, this rash is not caused by acne, and anti-acne products will make the problem worse. Your cancer nurse specialist or oncology team can give you treatment that will help.

Getting more support and tips
Our booklet Feel more like you is produced in partnership with Boots. It offers tips on dealing with the effects of cancer and its treatments on hair, skin and nails.

You may also find it helpful to speak to a Boots Macmillan Beauty Advisor. Boots Macmillan Beauty Advisors are No7 Advisors who are based in some Boots stores and have been trained by Boots UK and Macmillan to provide support to people living with cancer. They can give you face to face advice about caring for your skin, nails and hair. They can also show you how to use products to disguise changes or enhance any facial features to help you look and feel good. 

The video below is from a set of four videos created by Boots UK, offering practical tips about managing the visible side effects of cancer treatment. You can watch the others by visiting the Macmillan Cancer Support page on YouTube.

Visit boots.com/storelocator to find your nearest Boots Macmillan Beauty Advisor.

To see what else Macmillan's cancer information team has been blogging about, please visit our blog home page! You can subscribe to receive our blogs by email or RSS too.

We're with you every step of the way

The Macmillan team is here to help. Our cancer support specialists can answer your questions, offer support, or simply listen if you need a chat. Call us free on 0808 808 00 00.

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