Chemotherapy, radio therapy and other cancer drugs can make even the most resilient skin hyper sensitive to the chemical ingredients commonly used in toiletries and cosmetics.

Many patients undergoing treatment find that along with the other more recognised side effects they also suffer from rashes, dry patches and ultra-sensitivities making their everyday skin, hair & body care routines more of a chore than a pampering experience.

Because of this, some patients find by turning to toiletries and cosmetics which don’t contain certain widely used chemical ingredients they can still enjoy their everyday pampering.

Some of the key ingredients to look out for which may cause irritation include:-

• Fragrance

  Much as though we all love it, fragrance is one of the most complex of ingredients and can contain many potential irritants.

• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)

  SLS is a surface-active substance, or surfactant. These are the workhorses of cosmetics and toiletries. In simple terms; surfactants attract dirt to them and aid in washing it away.

  Products containing SLES (or the ammonium equivalent) are best avoided becuase of the presence of “objectionable trace impurities”.

  SLS should also be avoided, as it is a primary irritant. SLS is used as an irritancy “standard”, against which the irritancy of other chemicals is compared. Pre-treatment of the skin with SLS has been shown to cause the skin to become more susceptible to irritation from other ingredients. Ammonium lauryl sulfate belongs to the same family of cleansers as SLS, however it has been shown to be even more irritant than SLS.

• Propylene Glycol

  Propylene glycol is an ingredient used in numerous cosmetics and toiletries. It is also used as a powerful humectant to prevent creams from drying out.  Propylene glycol is a petrochemical derivative and has been shown to cause allergies.

The list of ingredients to avoid is extensive and it’s important to take the time read the labels on products carefully. Look for products that are free from harsh synthetic ingredients including sulfates, ethoxylates, parabens, propylene glycol, petrochemical cleansers, silicones, mineral oils, DEA, artificial colours and fragrances.

Avoid being lured in by ‘pseudo-natural’ products (those with ‘plant extracts’ embedded in chemical ingredients).

Choose fragrance-free or unscented products, such as those offered by [A’kin], which offer a gentle, natural alternative for comforting, fragile, sensitive skin and hair resulting from chemotherapy.