Cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation, can often leave the skin feeling dry, irritated, inflamed, and more sensitive than usual. These changes can make it difficult to find a skincare solution that offers both comfort and effectiveness. However, one natural ingredient that's gaining recognition for its soothing and nourishing properties is safflower seed oil. Safflower seed oil has been included in Brave Crabs products for the very reasons you're about to discover!
Understanding Safflower Seed Oil
Safflower seed oil comes from the seeds of the safflower plant, a beautiful golden-yellow flower that's been cultivated for thousands of years. Native to Asia, the Middle East, and parts of the Mediterranean, this plant offers us a gift in the form of its nourishing oil.
The oil is extracted from the seeds through cold-pressing or solvent extraction methods. Which results in a light, almost colourless oil that's incredibly gentle on the skin. It has a very mild, neutral scent, which can be particularly soothing for those who find strong fragrances overwhelming during treatment.
When applied, safflower seed oil feels wonderfully light and silky. It absorbs easily into the skin without leaving a heavy or greasy residue. This quality makes it especially comforting for skin that may be feeling sensitive or irritated.
Nurturing Benefits for Sensitive Skin
During cancer treatment, your skin may become more delicate and reactive. Safflower seed oil offers several nurturing benefits that can help soothe and protect your skin during this time:
1. Gentle Hydration: Safflower seed oil provides deep, gentle moisturising and skin softening properties [1] to dry and dehydrated skin. It helps maintain skin hydration, which can be particularly comforting when your skin is feeling parched or tight.
2. Protective Barrier: The omega-6 (minimises water loss) and omega-3 fatty acids (anti- inflammatory properties) in safflower seed oil help strengthen your skin's natural protective barrier. This can be especially beneficial when your skin is feeling vulnerable, helping to keep it protected and resilient. As, protecting epidermal barrier function (the skin’s protective shield) can also reduce the risk of xerosis (severely dry skin) induced by treatments [2].
3. Soothing Properties: If you're experiencing skin inflammation or irritation, safflower seed oil's calming properties may help provide relief. It can help reduce redness and soothe discomfort, offering a sense of comfort to angry or reactive skin. This is due to safflower oil’s meaningful anti-inflammation activity [3]
4. Skin Renewal: Safflower seed oil may help improve skin tone and texture, supporting your skin's natural renewal process. This can be particularly supportive for skin that's feeling stressed or damaged.
5. Antioxidant Support: The oil contains phenolic compounds which possess great biological activity mostly due to their antioxidant activity [1]. These can help protect your skin from environmental stressors, offering an extra layer of care when your skin needs it most.
Holistic Support Through Skincare
Safflower seed oil embodies the principle of holistic support in skincare. It doesn't just address one aspect of skin health; it works on multiple levels. While it hydrates and soothes on the surface, its nutrients are busy supporting your skin's natural functions beneath.
By incorporating safflower seed oil into your routine, you're not just caring for your skin – you're engaging in an act of self-nurture that can have ripple effects on your overall sense of wellness. Caring for your skin during this time is about comfort, self-care, and nurturing yourself.
Bringing Safflower's Comfort to You
At Brave Crab, we think Safflower seed oil is a true 'hero' plant botanical. That is why we've harnessed its gentle but potent power in four of our 'Bee-loved' skincare products. You'll find this nurturing ingredient in our 'Embrace' face and body balm, 'Cocoon' hand and foot balm, 'Nurture' face cleanser and 'Strength' nail and cuticle balm.
Closing Thoughts
As we come to the end of our exploration of safflower seed oil, let's take a moment to reflect on what we've learned. We've discovered that this gentle oil, derived from the golden-yellow safflower plant, offers a multitude of benefits for those undergoing cancer treatment. From its moisturising properties that help combat dryness, to its ability to strengthen the skin's protective barrier, safflower seed oil provides nurturing support when skin needs it most.
We've seen how its light texture and neutral scent make it particularly suitable for sensitive skin. Its anti-inflammatory properties can help soothe irritation, while its antioxidants offer protection against environmental stressors.
Most importantly, we've emphasised the holistic approach to skincare that safflower seed oil represents. It's not just about addressing physical symptoms, but also about providing comfort and supporting overall wellbeing during a challenging time.
We hope this information about safflower seed oil has provided you with a new perspective on skincare during cancer treatment. Whether you choose to incorporate this oil into your routine or not, know that there are gentle, nurturing options available to support you.
REFERENCES
[1] Hingnekar, P., Karikar, M. (2022). Safflower Oil: A Multifunctional Ingredient. Volume 11, Issue 10, 1228-1236.
c10a9f61a0a5bdfd9a8a7dcce64c9c7a.pdf (wjpr.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com)
[2] 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.
[3] Park, Y. H., Lee, C. S. (2011). Efficacy of safflower on the acne skin and its application for facial cleansing biomedical material. 55(3), 400-404.
JAKO201119950685506.pdf (koreascience.kr)