Since being diagnosed I have reassessed what goes into and on my body. I value my body more and want to look after it. Not just food but beauty products. I have never used much make up but the stuff I was using was poor quality and full of all sorts of nasties I had no idea were so bad for me. I don't know if these contributed to my cancer at all, but it's nice to know that I am taking the necessary precautions to limit by toxin intake.
I think it is important to be realistic, you don't need to go over board, especially because the make up you use for nights out needs to be more resilient and more dramatic - so I have kept my "going out" make up for special occasions. I just wanted to minimise my day to day exposure to chemicals.
I have bought a lot from the Oh Natural Website (https://ohnatural.co.nz/) they have an amazing selection of different brands with great reviews and information.
These are some of the products I have been using:
HAIR
I know I am bald from the chemo but from research I have been doing it says it is important to still wash your scalp and care for your head as if you did have hair.
Earthwise is very calming on my skin and non drying. It has a mild yummy scent, is a great price (found in most super markets) and I can use it knowing that I am not putting any harming chemicals on my scalp. I want my hair to grow back healthy/undamaged after the chemo and I think that this product is a great start.
Shampoo: Earthwise - Nourish natural shampoo & Conditioner
FREE FROM: Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulphate (SLS/SLES), Dimethicone, lsothiazolinones, Parabens, Palm Oil, Cocoamide DEA, Phenoxyethanol, Synthetic Dyes.
FREE FROM: Sulphates, Dimethicone, Parabens, Phenoxyethanol, Synthetic Dyes.
SKIN
Face
I have struggled with my skin since I was 8 years old when I was diagnosed with Acne. I was on Isotane for 10 years on and off and then was prescribed a birth control pill that would help with my skin. Now, being off birth control and also being exposed to chemo my skin Has gone wild. I have turned to Seed + Soul Skincare for my full skin routine.
Zahn and Karen, two kiwi girls, products are all home made and they use only the best natural ingredients. My mum has also started using Seed + Soul. Check out their website here: https://www.seedandsoul.co.nz/
I invested in their starter park to begin with and I am growing my collection of products as I have completely fallen in love. All of them smell great, feel good and don't upset sensitive skin. All the products are super affordable and eco friendly too!
The starter pack includes four of their best products:
Try our four-step system to keep your face looking fresh + fine all the time.The Seed + Soul Starter Pack Includes:
1 x Calm the Face Down! Moisturiser, 50ml or1 x Blank Face Face Baby, 50ml - YOU CAN CHOOSE WHICH ONE SUITS YOU!
1 x Step-Up Scrub, 60g
1 x Ain't No Slap in the Face Cleanser, 100ml
1 x Tone Down for What! Toner, 50ml
Hands
Because my immunity is down during chemo I have to wash my hands constantly and use hand sanitiser which is very drying. I have found a wonderful hand cream to combat the dryness from The Aromatherapy and Co and it's only $14.99 for a large tube. They are another NZ brand (I love to support home!) and are free from all those yucky chemicals you find in a lot of hand creams.
FREE FROM: Sulphates, Parabens, Mineral Oils and Dyes.
Armpits
Seed + Soul also stocks Little Mango, a natural deodorant brand from NZ. I swear by the vanilla one but there are lots of scents to choose from. When I first started using this deodorant I broke out in a rash under my arm pit, it wasn't sore at all just red. It was actually a side effect of my arm pits detoxing from chemicals. Lot's of deodorant brands use nasty chemicals to stop you sweating such as Aluminium - which studies suggest causes breast cancers!!
After a month and a half of using the deodorant the rash has completely disappeared. Although you still slightly sweat the sweat doesn't smell at all. I have been using it for two months now and the pottle is still very full!
If you are interested in buying it, it can be purchased here:
https://www.seedandsoul.co.nz/collections/little-mango-deodorant
Make up
I have turned to Nude by Nature and Eco Minerals make up ranges. These are great options for make up for day to day use. They are nice and light and let's my skin breathe and my natural skin tone peep through which I like.
They have dramatically decreased the amount of break outs I get also. I think it is important to find make up that suits you and makes you feel confident but here are some of the products I am using as a start if you are interested.
Do some research and try things out before you invest :)
LUMINOUS SHEER LIQUID FOUNDATION
ALLURE DEFINING MASCARA
FLAWLESS CONCEALER
ECO MINERALS MINERAL BRONZER
