Navigating skincare during cancer treatment? You're not alone. Let's explore how CO2 extracts might help. These powerful plant essences are our secret weapon for those dealing with skin side effects of cancer treatment.
If you're going through this challenging journey, you're going to want to know about these little miracles. Let's break it down in simple terms and explore why we're head over heels for CO2 extracts in our products designed specifically for cancer patients.
What Are CO2 Extracts?
First things first – what in the world are CO2 extracts? Think of them as nature's goodness, bottled up in its purest form. CO2 extracts are like the VIP version of plant extracts. They're made using a super cool process that involves pressurised carbon dioxide (yep, the same stuff we breathe out) to gently pull out all the beneficial compounds from plants without using any harsh chemicals or heat.
How Are They Made?
Imagine you're trying to get the juice out of an orange. You could squeeze it by hand (traditional extraction), use a juicer (like steam distillation), or... you could use the CO2 method. Here's how it works:
- Our exceptional suppliers take the plant material (like calendula flowers or rosehip seeds) and put them in a special chamber.
- They then pump in CO2 that's been pressurised until it becomes "supercritical" – a fancy term meaning it has properties of both a liquid and a gas.
- This supercritical CO2 acts like a gentle solvent, pulling out all the good stuff from the plants.
- Our suppliers then separate the CO2 from the plant goodies, and voila! We're left with a super pure extract.
How CO2 Extracts Support Your Skin Through Cancer Therapy
Now, let's talk about why these extracts are so amazing, especially for individuals experiencing skin changes due to cancer therapy:
- High Potency and Purity
CO2 extracts are like getting the plant's essence in its purest form. Because the process is so gentle and doesn't use heat or harsh chemicals, we get to keep all the delicate compounds that make these plants so special. This means you're getting the most potent, effective ingredients possible – it's like plant power on steroids (but the good, natural kind)!
For cancer patients, this high potency means more effective relief for common skin issues like dryness, irritation, and sensitivity that often occur during treatment.
- Gentle on Skin
Here's the real kicker – despite being super potent, CO2 extracts are incredibly gentle on your skin. No harsh solvents or residues here! This makes them perfect for the ultra-sensitive skin that often results from cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation. When your skin becomes delicate due to treatment, using gentle yet effective ingredients is crucial.
- Antioxidant Rich
CO2 extracts are packed with antioxidants – those little warriors that fight off free radicals (the troublemakers that can damage your skin cells). This is especially important when your skin is stressed from cancer treatment. These antioxidants help protect your skin and support its natural healing process.
Our Favourite CO2 Extracts and Why We Love Them for Cancer Patients
At Brave Crab, we've carefully selected CO2 extracts that are superstars for the unique skincare needs of cancer patients. Let's meet the team:
Sea Buckthorn
This little orange berry is a powerhouse of nutrients. Native to Europe and Asia, sea buckthorn is packed with vitamins A, C, and E, as well as omega fatty acids. It's like a multivitamin for your skin!
Benefits for cancer patients:
- Supports skin healing and regeneration – research indicates it "fastens regeneration after use of chemotherapy" [1]
- Omega-3 and 6 fatty acids helps maintain skin hydration, crucial for radiation-dried skin
- Reduces inflammation and soothes irritated skin
Calendula
Calendula, or pot marigold, has been used for centuries to heal skin. This cheery orange flower is native to the Mediterranean and is renowned for its gentle, soothing properties. It's like a soft, comforting hug for your skin.
Benefits for cancer patients:
- Soothes radiation-induced skin irritation - clinical trials support Calendula's effectiveness in preventing and treating radiodermatitis [2]
- Promotes wound healing, helpful for sensitive skin prone to damage
- Antimicrobial effects can help prevent infections in compromised skin
Chamomile
We all know chamomile as a soothing bedtime tea, but it's also amazing for your skin. Native to Europe and Western Asia, chamomile's CO2 extract is an anti-inflammatory superhero.
Benefits for cancer patients:
- Provides powerful anti-inflammatory benefits, calming treatment-irritated skin - research supports its potential as an effective anti-inflammatory agent [3,4]
- Provides antioxidant protection for stressed skin
- Soothes itchiness and discomfort associated with dry, sensitive skin
Rosehip
Last but definitely not least, we have rosehip. These little red fruits are native to Europe, Northwest Africa, and Western Asia, and they're packed with skin-loving goodness. The CO2 extract of rosehip is rich in vitamins and essential fatty acids. Think of it as a reset button for your skin, especially when it's going through the challenges of cancer treatment.
Benefits for cancer patients:
- Supports skin cell regeneration, crucial for healing
- Essential fatty acids provide deep hydration for chemotherapy-induced dry skin
- Helps fade treatment-related hyperpigmentation and research has shown Rosehip Oil to significantly promote wound healing and improve scars [5]
These powerful CO2 extracts work together in our Brave Crab products to provide gentle, effective care for your skin during cancer treatment. Each one brings its unique strengths to the table, creating a dream team of natural ingredients that understand and respond to your skin's needs during this challenging time.
CO2 Extracts in Our Products: Supporting Your Skin Through Cancer Treatment
When we were formulating our products specifically for cancer patients, we knew we needed ingredients that were:
- Powerful enough to address the unique skincare challenges faced during treatment
- Gentle enough for ultra-sensitive, compromised skin
- Pure and clean, without any additives that could potentially irritate
CO2 extracts ticked all these boxes and then some. They allow us to harness the full power of these amazing plants in a way that's perfect for individuals undergoing cancer treatment. These extracts provide the nourishment, protection, and soothing care your skin craves when it's at its most vulnerable.
The Brave Crab Promise
We know that when you're dealing with cancer treatment, skincare concerns can feel overwhelming. That's why we've put so much care into selecting these CO2 extracts. We promise to always use the gentlest, most effective ingredients to support your skin through the challenges of cancer treatment.
REFERENCES
[1] Koskovac, M., Cupara, S., Kipic, M., Barjaktarevic, A., Milovanovic, O., Kojicic, K., & Markovic, M. (2017). Sea buckthorn oil—A valuable source for cosmeceuticals. Cosmetics, 4(4), 40.
https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9284/4/4/40?uid=65253c6d69
[2] Cruceriu, D., Balacescu, O., & Rakosy, E. (2018). Calendula officinalis: potential roles in cancer treatment and palliative care. Integrative cancer therapies, 17(4), 1068-1078.
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1534735418803766
[3] Ferreira, E. B., Vasques, C. I., Jesus, C. A. C., & Reis, P. E. D. (2015). Topical effects of Chamomilla Recutita in skin damage: A literature review. Pharmacologyonline, 3(2015-), 123-130.
[4] Abedi, A., Dianati, M., & Gilasi, H. (2020). Effect of Chamomile Extract on Prevention of Peristomal Skin Complications. Medical-Surgical Nursing Journal, 9(4).
https://brieflands.com/articles/msnj-111795
[5] Lei, Z., Cao, Z., Yang, Z., Ao, M., Jin, W., & Yu, L. (2019). Rosehip oil promotes excisional wound healing by accelerating the phenotypic transition of macrophages. Planta Medica, 85(07), 563-569.
https://www.thieme-connect.com/products/ejournals/abstract/10.1055/a-0725-8456