While you’re going through cancer treatment, you may feel the same as Mr. Hope on some days. Skin can look dry, blotchy, red, and sallow, even mottled with acne. Fortunately, we have foundation to even out those flaws.

There’s really no one “right” way to apply foundation, but there are a few things you should be careful of while you’re going through treatment. Here are a few basics to help you get your best face.

1. Make sure your face is clean. A clean face is the best canvas for foundation. Even if you’re in a hurry, splash some lukewarm water and gentle cleanser on your skin to rid it of oils and bacteria.
2. Use moisturizer first. There’s no more important time to use moisturizer than when you’re going through chemotherapy treatments. Your skin is going to be exceptionally dry, which can show up in flakes, dry patches, and tightness under your foundation. Ideally, apply moisturizer, wait a few minutes, then apply again before using foundation.
3. Apply sunscreen. A must for every day of the year, sunscreen should be applied after cleansing, toning and moisturizing, and before you apply your makeup.
4. Apply concealer. Here’s where you cover any acne postules, scars, or dark spots. Dot the concealer on and gently dab around the area until it’s covered. (You can also use concealer after applying foundation for lightening dark areas.)
5. Use a sponge. You may be used to warming foundation on your fingertips and spreading it that way, but to protect yourself from germs while your immune system is compromised, use a clean sponge every day. Several of you may be used to re-using that sponge over and over, but that only places more germs on your fragile skin. Get a new one each time, or wash the old one after every use with warm water and soap.
6. Apply in a bright room—preferably with sunlight. Natural light helps you better see just how your foundation is really going to look out in the daylight. If you don’t have a window, make sure you have good lighting in the room you use for makeup application.
7. Liquid or cream foundation application. Dampen the sponge first, squeezing out any excess moisture. This will make the foundation go on more smoothly and prevent the sponge from soaking it all up. Place a small amount of foundation on the back of your hand, dip the sponge into it, and dot on your forehead, cheeks, chin, and nose. Blend together with the sponge, out to your hairline and jaw line until it all vanishes. Blend extra carefully around the nose and mouth to avoid any lines. Check your jawline as well, as that’s where foundation lines often show up.
8. Powder foundation. If you’re using powder foundation (or mineral powder), follow the same steps, just be sure your moisturizer is dry on your face before starting. Damp skin will increase chances of streaking. (Blot with a tissue if you don’t have time to wait.) Celebrity makeup artist Nathan Johnson recommends you tap a small amount of powder into the lid, dip the brush into the powder, and start at the outside of your face, buffing the powder onto the skin using a small circular motion. After finishing the outer areas, move into the cheeks and nose.
9. Set with powder. This step is optional while you’re going chemotherapy treatment, as dry skin doesn’t like powder—it shows up fine lines and wrinkles. To set your foundation, you may want to just lightly dust a bit of loose powder over your forehead, nose, and chin. You may also want to use a light dusting of bronzer instead for a healthy, sun-kissed look.

Have any tips for foundation application during treatment? Please share with us.

Photo courtesy of TheMeConspiracy via Flickr.com.

Dry skin seems to occur on the surface, but actually the problem goes deeper than that, down to the oil-producing glands in the lower layers. A healthy diet filled with vitamins and minerals that support healthy gland function can help your skin battle the problem. Fortunately, the foods that are good for your skin are good for the rest of your body, too, so while you’re eating for moisturization, you’ll reap the benefit of increased immunity and strength.

Start by drinking more water. Take a water bottle with your everywhere, and drink frequently. Your body is always losing water through perspiration, evaporation, and regular organ functioning, so you need to constantly replace it. Cancer treatments further dehydrate you, so drink up.

Second, increase your body’s hydration by eating more raw fruits and vegetables. Goodies like cantaloupe, grapes, oranges, celery, cucumbers, and tomatoes are all bursting with liquids that will moisturize from the inside out.

Next, choose foods high in vitamins A, B, C, E, and natural antioxidants to support skin renewal and repair. Vitamin A helps maintain and heal epithelial (skin) tissues. Sources include egg yolks, oysters and nonfat milk, plus beta-carotene-rich gems like carrots, sweet potatoes, papaya, broccoli, eggs, and spinach. (The body converts beta carotene to vitamin A.) B vitamins are involved in healthy functioning of oil-producing glands, so pile on the whole grains, cantaloupe, sweet peppers, green peas, fish, and citrus fruits.

Vitamin C supports the formation of collagen, which according to Amy Newburger, MD, an attending physician in the Dermatology Department at St. Luke’s Roosevelt Medical Center, “acts like a sponge for moisture.” Sources include orange juice, broccoli, tomato, mango, peppers, and kiwi fruit.

Vitamin E is great at slowing skin aging, and is found in almonds, leafy vegetables, and olive and sesame oils. Antioxidants are strong warriors, and fight off damaging free radicals caused by sun exposure, pollution, and malnutrition (which can occur during cancer treatments.) Try blueberries and strawberries, squash, kale, spinach, kidney and pinto beans, cranberries, artichoke hearts, apples, and potatoes.

You may also want to beef up your intake of omega-3-rich foods. Experts know that fatty acids are essential to the epithelial structures that retain moisture. Foods high in omega-3 fatty acids include salmon, herring, anchovies, sardines, flaxseed oil, soybeans, canola, and walnuts.

Finally, avoid those foods that rob your body of water. These include alcohol, anything with caffeine, and high-sugar foods and soft drinks, which can all act as diuretics on your system. Stay away from fried foods as well, as they carry free radicals that damage skin structure. And if cancer treatments are affecting your appetite, feel free to use supplements for awhile, returning to good foods when you can.

Remember that cancer and chemotherapy rob your body of critical nutrients that you can replace by eating good foods. Though vitamins and minerals aren’t a quick cure-all for dry skin, getting enough of powerhouse nutrients can arm your body with the tools it needs to lighten the effects of treatment.

Do you have a favorite diet for skin care? Let us know!

Photo courtesy of thefitandhealthychef via Flickr.com.

“It was as though a giant sponge swooped down and absorbed all the moisture from my skin,” says Pat, a breast-cancer survivor.

What are the signs? Dry skin appears rough and flaky, and can become cracked and peeled. It may feel tight and itchy, and with scratching, may start to bleed. A slight tear can lead to infection, so it’s paramount you keep your skin as moist as possible.

There are some basic things you can do. Avoid hot water (it makes itching worse); shower or bathe in lukewarm temperatures; pat (don’t rub) dry; and avoid drying soaps—instead, use organic, non-toxic, skin cleansers and creams. Apply moisturizer (or organic body oil like Weleda) when skin is still damp, wash clothes in toxin-free mild detergents, use chemical-free sunscreen (we love Soleo Organics SPF 30), avoid synthetic perfumes and fragrances, use a humidifier in your room, stay away from irritating fabrics like wool and nylons (choose cotton and silk), and protect your skin with gloves and when doing household chores. (You can also purchase thin cotton gloves to protect fragile, sore hands.)

All these things may help, but if you’ve got serious dry skin, you need more. First, let’s talk about relieving the pain or itch. Instead of scratching, dryskin.com suggests massaging the area with an ice cube, or covering it with a cool washcloth. Add baking soda or ground up oatmeal to the tub to further soothe the irritation. Natural-homeremedies.com suggests Vicks vapor rub for immediate relief, vitamin E oil, baking soda and water paste, or an apple cider vinegar and water solution. If you’ve already scratched, natural aloe from the plant can soothe the burn and moisturize skin, or try Santaverde Aloe Body Lotion.

Regular lotions may be moisturizing to the everyday person, but for those going through chemotherapy, they may seem no more effective than water. Many skin-care enthusiasts recommend virgin coconut oil for its protective qualities. It absorbs easily through the skin to heal and moisturize, plus it won’t break the budget. Other oils great for moisturization include almond, grapeseed, evening primrose, and olive. You can find organic versions of these oils at Aura Cacia. (Try coating your hands and feet in oil and lotion and sleeping in cotton socks at night.)

Looking for home remedies? Try mashing a ripe banana and applying it to the dry area for ten minutes, or blend together 1 teaspoon green clay powder and 1 teaspoon raw honey and apply for fifteen to twenty minutes.

If none of these things help, talk to your doctor or dermatologist. Whatever you do, don’t suffer in silence. Dry skin could land you in the hospital with infection, so you have every excuse to pamper yourself with tender care!

Do you have a great solution for dry, irritated skin? Let us know!

Photo courtesy of Snap Village.

During chemo, my father had extremely dry hands and feet, and brittle nails that almost fell off. His doctor failed to warn him about these effects.

Chemotherapy can create a myriad of side effects. One of the purposes of this blog is to tell you about them, and help you to alleviate them, naturally. Recently, many patients told us: “The doctor didn’t tell me about this [or that] side effect.” Did he think you already knew? Or maybe he didn’t want to scare you? Perhaps he just didn’t know how the treatment would affect you, since everyone is different.

Most survivors agree—it’s better to be informed. With that in mind, here are a few of the side effects your doctor may have neglected to tell you about. You may or may not experience them—everyone is different, and all treatments are different—but just in case.

Eyelash and Eyebrow Thinning: You probably already know about hair loss, and you may have already gotten your wig. What you may not have thought about are your eyelashes and eyebrows. Chemo targets all hair cells, so to be prepared, get yourself an eyebrow kit (read our post), and consider investing in some synthetic brows or lashes.

Dry Skin and Brittle Nails: You may have had dry skin before, but chemo takes it up a notch. Your skin may be especially dry and flaky. Moisturize as often as you can, try some aloe (particularly for radiation burns), and avoid hot water. Your nails may turn hard and brittle, so wear gloves often, avoid chemical cleaners, and apply a soothing oil (like olive or sesame) around the cuticles daily.

Mouth Changes: Chemo goes after the cells that line the mouth, which can cause many problems. You may experience metal taste, so stock up on plastic utensils and citrus fruits. Plastic tones down the effect (silverware exacerbates it), and citrus wakes up the taste buds you have left. Johnny of Imerman’s Angels suggests the drink Lemonhead. Survivor Patricia Prijatel suggests Japanese plum sauce, which can help shake up certain foods.

Another common problem is mouth sores—those painful, canker sores that settle on your tongue, inside the lips, and on the lining of the cheeks. Hydrogen pyroxide and water make an effective rinse. Salt water may do the trick as well. Be prepared by asking your dentist ahead of time for some soft, tooth swabs for those days when a toothbrush is too hard, and stock up on soft foods like yogurt, soups, and gravies.

Another possibility is dry mouth. Your doc will have medication for this. Carry a water bottle with you, suck on tart candies, and see here for more suggestions.

Tummy Troubles: Your doctor may have told you that new medications stave off nausea and vomiting. Well, maybe. Maybe not. Most cancer patients complain of one or more of the following: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and/or constipation. For nausea, the doc will give you drugs, but try some ginger extract as well (500 mg/day starting 3 days before treatment). Studies have shown it helps! To raise your odds of avoiding an upchuck, eat light on treatment days, and go for bland foods like toast, bananas, applesauce, and the like.

For constipation, try a regular regimen of fiber drinks, and be sure to exercise (walk) as much as you can. Prijatel suggests “green drinks” that are full of fiber and antioxidants. Milk of Magnesia might work too, but the more natural you can go, the better, so stock up on green vegetables, fruits, flaxseed, and oatmeal, and try Dr. Oz’s recipe. This may help with diarrhea as well, as it regulates the digestive system. Whatever you do, go easy on the tummy—avoid spices, processed foods, and high-fat items.

Joint Pain: Though the hair, mouth, and tummy are the most commonly affected by cancer treatments, the joints may suffer too. Get yourself a glucosamine supplement and start taking it before you start treatment. Walk every day if you can, and eat foods high in omega-3s, like fish and walnuts.

Malnutrition: There’s no doubt that chemo robs your body of certain nutrients. Many patients mention a lack of magnesium, so be sure you’re taking a magnesium supplement as well as a quality multi-vitamin. Many vegetables (like spinach) contain magnesium as well. A good, healthy diet will always help your body stay strong.

Did you have a “surprise” side effect? What did you do about it? Please share your story.