What are the best skincare products for cancer patients?
Chemotherapy, radiation, and other cancer treatments take a huge toll on the body. They make your nauseous. They make you feel tired all the time. They even make you lose your hair.
Your skin isn’t left unscathed, either. Cancer treatment dries out skin worse than the Sahara, leaving it more prone to irritations, infections, and rashes. All things that make patients uncomfortable and very self-conscious.
Lindy Snider didn’t realise the impact cancer treatment had on your skin until her friends got sick. She took note of their struggle to find skincare products to suit the needs of their now very sensitive skin.
You see, at the time, skincare lines for cancer patients didn’t exist. So Lindy decided to create her own, Lindi Skin.
She formulated her products with the help of dermatologists, oncologists, nurses, patients and skincare formulators to ensure they are as gentle, soothing, and effective as possible, so patients can look their best even at this difficult time.
A worthy endeavour no doubt, but are Lindi products really so special? Should cancer patients invest in them? Let’s investigate:
Lindi Face Wash ($24.50)
When you’re undergoing cancer treatment, your skin gets very dry. So dry, that most cleansers out there leave your skin tighter than a tennis racket and drier than the Sahara. The usual surfactants – the cleansing agents that remove dirt and grime – are not too harsh for you. That’s where Lindi Face Wash comes to the rescue. It uses some of the gentlest surfactants out there (PEG-12 Dimethicone Sulfosuccinate and coconut derived Coco Glucoside, if you’re curious) to cleanse your skin. They’re so gentle, you usually find them in shampoos for babies.
The catch? The gentlest a face wash is, the less grime it removes. Translation: this is good to wash your face, but not to remove your makeup. But my real problem with this cleanser (and most of Lindi products, for that matter) is the inclusion of lavender oil: it’s famous for causing irritations and allergies in sensitive skin. In a rinse off products, it’s unlikely to cause problems, but if it doesn’t agree with your skin, now you know why.
VERDICT: A very gentle face wash suitable for very sensitive and delicate skin.
Related: How To Choose The Best Cleanser For Your Skin Type
Want to know what ingredients you really need to avoid in your skincare products? Sign up to the newsletter below to receive the “Skincare Ingredients To Avoid” cheatsheet:
Lindi Citrus Face Serum ($44.00)
You’ve guessed it, this is the Vitamin C serum. But 15% L-Ascorbic Acid, the pure form of Vitamin C commonly used to fight free radicals and boost collagen, is too harsh for the delicate skin of cancer patients. That’s why Lindi Citrus Face Serum opted for a small concentration of Ascorbyl Palmitate, a derivative that does the same thing but on a smaller scale so that it doesn’t irritate skin. To supercharge it, Lindi also added plenty of antioxidants, like green tea and retinyl palmitate (a gentler form of retinol).
The moisturising base is made up of natural oils and ceramides that strengthen the skin’s protective barrier and protect skin against environmental aggressors (like harsh weather and germs) that may irritate it further. I could do without the scent, but hey, I guess you can’t have everything.
VERDICT: A gentle antioxidant serum that helps prevent wrinkles.
Related: Vitamin C Derivatives: Which One Is Best For You?
Lindi Face Moisturizer ($42.00)
Lindi Face Moisturizer uses a mixture of natural oils (like avocado) and butters (like shea) to create a barrier on the skin. This barrier has two purposes. One: it keeps moisture in, so dry skin stays hydrated and softer for longer. Two: it keeps germs and irritants out, so they won’t bother your delicate skin. Like this weren’t enough, the moisturiser also has its fair share of antioxidants to prevent premature aging. Again, I wish Lindi had skipped the fragrance. Oh well, if it doesn’t bother you, it’s still a good option to consider.
VERDICT: A hydrating moisturiser for dry and sensitive skin.
Related: Is Fragrance In Skincare As Bad As Paula Begoun Says?
The Bottom Line
Lindi Skin products are well-formulated and gentle enough for cancer patients and anyone who has very sensitive skin. I just wish they didn’t have fragrance.
Have you ever tried Lindi Skin products? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
I have seen in my family how thin and papery the skin can become and keeping it hydrated and healthy was a big of a struggle. This lines sounds good and the prices are ok as well.
Not sure if the line already has them, but I would say that the other pillar when dealing with cancer patients is sun protection. The different treatments render the skin very damage prone
Tirurit, it is a great line indeed and it does help in keeping skin hydrated and healthy. Unfortunately, they don’t seem to make a sunscreen yet. That’s a big oversight, I agree with you. Hopefully, that’ll remedy that soon.