We understand going through cancer treatment can have a significant impact on your body, including your skin. That's why we at ‘Brave Crab’ have made it our mission to create skincare products that are gentle, moisturising, nourishing, and perfect for your sensitive skin. Today, we're diving into the world of balms and why they're our go-to for creating products that truly care for your skins needs during this challenging time.
Why Balms? The Magic of Waterless Formulas
You might have noticed that most of our products come in balm form. There's a good reason for that! Balms are waterless formulas, and they're absolute superstars when it comes to caring for inflamed, irritated, and sensitive skin.
Here's why balms are so amazing:
1. Nutrient-dense goodness: Without water taking up space in the formula, we can pack our balms with more nourishing ingredients. This means more intensive care for skin that's struggling with the side effects of treatment, providing much-needed nutrients to support healing and comfort.
2. Pure and simple: Research on supportive skincare during chemotherapy shows that body balms are essential for many patients [1] reducing the risk of irritation while delivering the barrier protection your skin needs during treatment.
3. No preservatives needed: Water-based products require preservatives to prevent bacteria growth. But guess what? No water means no need for preservatives! This translates to a lower risk of irritation or allergic reactions, which is crucial when your skin is already sensitive from treatment.
4. Occlusive protection: Balms create a protective barrier on your skin, which is super important during cancer treatment. Let's talk more about that!
The Power of Occlusives: Your Skin's Bodyguard
Occlusives are ingredients that form a protective layer on your skin, and balms are naturally occlusive. Think of them as a gentle, invisible shield for your skin. Here's what this magic barrier does:
- Locks in moisture: Occlusives prevent water loss from the skin which is crucial for maintaining skin hydration, especially when treatments can lead to excessive dryness and flaking.
- Protects against irritants: The balm barrier helps block out environmental irritants and pollutants that could irritate your sensitive skin. It offers an extra layer of defence when your skin's natural protective functions may be compromised by treatment.
- Supports healing: By maintaining a moist environment, occlusives can help your skin repair itself more effectively.
During cancer treatment, when your skin might be extra sensitive and prone to dryness, this occlusive effect can be a real game-changer. It's like giving your skin a cosy, protective hug!
Shea Butter: Nature's Skin-Loving Superstar
Now, let's talk about one of the star ingredients in all our balms: shea butter. This natural wonder comes from the nuts of the shea tree, and it's packed with goodness for your skin.
Here's why we love shea butter, especially for our ‘Brave Crab Community’:
1. Deep moisturisation: Shea butter is packed with vitamins A, E, and F, along with rich fatty acids that moisturise and nourish your skin deeply. These nutrients support skin healing and can help alleviate the dryness and sensitivity often experienced during treatment.
2. Anti-inflammatory properties: Shea butter has natural anti-inflammatory effects. This can help soothe skin irritation and redness, common side effects of many cancer therapies.
Research has shown that shea butter can reduce reactions to skin irritations [2]. Its ability to calm inflammation is particularly beneficial when your skin is extra sensitive during treatment.
3. Emollient Properties: Shea butter’s emollient (skin softening) properties are used to improve and support the skin barrier. This is particularly beneficial in managing the compromised skin barrier often resulting from treatment.
As noted in a recent study, "Emollients may include ingredients such as shea butter... to improve skin barrier" [3].
This means shea butter can help reinforce your skin's natural defences, providing much-needed protection and comfort during your treatment journey.
4.Gentle and non-comedogenic: It's unlikely to clog pores or cause additional irritation, making it perfect for sensitive skin.
5. Potential healing support: Some studies suggest that shea butter might help support your skin's natural healing processes.
For cancer patients, these properties can be especially beneficial. Radiation and chemotherapy can often leave skin dry, irritated, and more susceptible to damage. Shea butter's combination of moisturising, soothing, and protective properties can help address these issues, providing much-needed comfort and care.
Why Brave Crab Balms Are Your Skin's Best Friend
So, why have we chosen to focus on balms for Brave Crab's 1st product range? It all comes down to giving your skin exactly what it needs during this challenging time:
1. Maximum nourishment: Our waterless formulas allow us to create products that are packed with skin-loving ingredients.
2. Minimal irritation: With fewer ingredients and no need for preservatives, our balms are less likely to cause reactions on your sensitive skin.
3.Protective power: The occlusive nature of our balms helps shield your skin from further irritation and moisture loss.
4. Concentrated care: A little goes a long way with our nutrient-dense balms, making them both effective and long-lasting.
At Brave Crab, we're not just about skincare – we're about care, period. Our balms are formulated with love and understanding, designed to be a soothing companion on your treatment journey. That's why we've poured our hearts (and a whole lot of research) into creating balms that nurture, protect, and soothe your skin, allowing you to focus on what really matters – your health and well-being.
REFERENCES
[1] Lüftner, D., Dell’Acqua, V., Selle, F., Khalil, A., Leonardi, M. C., De La Torre Tomás, A., … Seité, S. (2018). Evaluation of supportive and barrier-protective skin care products in the daily prevention and treatment of cutaneous toxicity during systemic chemotherapy. OncoTargets and Therapy, 11, 5865–5872.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.2147/OTT.S155438#media-abstract
[2] Maanikuu, P. M. I., & Peker, K. (2017). Medicinal and nutritional benefits from the shea tree-(Vitellaria Paradoxa). Journal of Biology, Agriculture and Healthcare, 7(22), 51-57.
[3] Dreno, B., Khosrotehrani, K., De Barros Silva, G., Wolf, J. R., Kerob, D., Trombetta, M., ... & Lacouture, M. (2023). The role of dermocosmetics in the management of cancer-related skin toxicities: international expert consensus. Supportive Care in Cancer, 31(12), 672.