Chemotherapy and radiation are common treatments for those diagnosed with cancer. While it can be highly effective in treating cancer, the side effects can be numerous and difficult, especially for your skin.
When it comes to skin, chemo and radiation can cause irritation, sores, burns, and increased skin sensitivity. It can also change the color and texture of your skin, cause rashes and extreme dryness, and diminish its overall health.
If you or a loved one are going through chemo and radiation, there are a couple of things you can do to ease skin discomfort. For instance, have you considered removing chemical-laden products from your skincare routine? It may be the change your skin is craving.
"Thank you GMS! You make the best soaps in the world indeed! I am having chemotherapy at the moment and yet, my skin loves the soaps you make. I love the Castile soap, which is the best, most nourishing and mild soap ever made. I have tried quite a few other organic castile soaps but none can compare to yours. I use this on my face and it never dries it out. I love the lotiony moisturizing texture and for those who have really dry skin or even those on chemo, I highly recommend this! Oh, did I mention that PJ is super nice and efficient too? The customer service is excellent!" - Liza O. |
Chemo and Radiation Are Harsh on Skin
Unfortunately, while you are battling cancer and require chemotherapy, it is possible that your skin will face adverse reactions to the powerful treatment. Healthline describes common skin side-effects during chemotherapy to be “dry, itchy, and red” skin. It’s also common to “experience peeling, cracks, sores, or rashes.” Overall, your skin may become ultra-sensitive, especially to the sun, which increases the risk of sunburn.
You can start treating your skin before beginning chemo, as this helps you build a routine and minimize the effects of treatment. If you're already in the middle of your treatment and are wondering if it's too late to help your skin, it's definitely not too late! You can start anytime.
Skincare Recommendations for Cancer Patients
Skin-related side effects are often temporary but can be uncomfortable and bothersome.
Fortunately, there are products and methods that can help ease some of the skin conditions you are experiencing. During this difficult time, it’s essential to take care of your body as best you can. These are common tips from many of the top cancer clinics when it comes to skincare products and maintaining skin health during chemotherapy:
- Use warm (not hot) water when showering or bathing. Blot your skin to dry it after – don’t rub it with a towel, which can irritate the sensitive skin.
- While your skin is still damp is the ideal time to apply a good, chemical free, moisturizer like a solid goat milk lotion, but you can moisturize multiple times a day.
- Wash your clothes with a mild, dye-free, fragrance-free laundry soap (we're partial to our chemical-free goat milk laundry soap!) to limit skin irritation.
- Wear sunscreen when you are outdoors and avoid products that are alcohol-based, or perfumes and colognes, which can irritate your skin.
- Use unscented, chemical free products that are gentle on your skin.
"In February of this year I was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. I have finished 6 months of chemo but will have a bilateral mastectomy next month followed by 6 weeks of radiation. Now that I am through with chemo my hair is growing back and I am loving this shampoo bar! It has a creamy lather, leaves my scalp feeling moisturized and my new hair feeling soft! I have psoriasis so I also use the Purity goat milk soap and LOVE it as well!" - Kellene L. |
Goat Milk Soap is Naturally Moisturizing for Chemotherapy
Goat milk soap can be a naturally moisturizing soap without any chemical additives. The goodness of goat milk, when combined with natural ingredients like coconut oil and olive oil, can stop your fingertips from cracking and peeling, reveal younger and healthier-looking skin, and keep your skin moisturized all day long.
The key difference between soaps from Goat Milk Stuff and other companies is that our goat milk soaps are made without any chemical ingredients. Many brands that you find in stores are full of harmful ingredients. Here are a few to watch out for:
- Sulfates. These ingredients are what give conventional soaps and body washes their foamy lather through a chemical reaction. Skin irritation is a possibility with this ingredient.
- Phthalates. Often found in fragrances and flavors, phthalates are common in soaps and skincare products. However, they are a health concern with a large list of potential side effects and should be avoided.
- Parabens. A common preservative in many conventional skincare products because they prevent bacterial growth, parabens are capable of causing skin irritation and affecting hormones.
All goat milk products made by Goat Milk Stuff are completely free of all the above ingredients. We believe in creating natural soaps and skin care products with only the highest safety standards.
Our products are carefully crafted using natural ingredients such as raw goat milk from our goats, extra virgin olive oil, and high-grade essential oils. While some oils are used for fragrance, we only source the best and most natural ingredients and will never use a fragrance that contains parabens and phthalates.
"This is the only liquid soap I have found that is unscented, wholesome with minimal ingredients and leaves skin so very soft and moisturized! I am a cancer patient going on chemo and this is my hand soap while the unscented Castile soap, another best, is my body soap. Passed the word to other breast cancer people I know as there is nothing better out there than these soaps!" - Shonta |
And yes, our goat milk soap is made with fresh, raw goat milk from our healthy herd of goats instead of using canned milk or powdered milk. Our goats are our babies and are treated like part of the family, getting the best feed possible and living their best life in our woods and pastures and barns, which allows them to make the best milk possible!
Goat Milk Skincare Products for Chemo and Radiation
At Goat Milk Stuff, all of our products are natural and gentle for your skin, helping in our mission to ease any skin discomfort you may be experiencing during or after the chemo and radiation side effects from cancer treatments.
We have a selection of natural goat milk skincare products to gently care for and nourish skin that has been damaged by chemo or radiation.
We often recommend the Castile soap because it is the mildest soap we make (we even use it on our newborns!). It is made with just organic extra virgin olive oil as the oil portion and goat milk as the liquid. Many of our customers tell us they won’t use anything else on their skin during cancer treatments.
"My skin has always been dry, but I wanted something extra moisturizing and good for me with the chemo, and the Castile bar is a dream. I use it on my face and I probably could go without face lotion after." - Roxanna R. |
Another option is the Purity Goat Milk Soap, which has no added fragrance or color, so there is nothing extra to irritate sensitive and dry skin. When you’re dealing with skin concerns after chemo and radiation, you want something that is full of natural vitamins, minerals, and alpha hydroxy acids so you can nourish your skin, not damage it further. With over 1200 five star reviews, the Purity is our most popular soap for anyone with sensitive skin.
"Love the Purity soap with its naturally soft scent, and how it is not drying. My husband is going through chemo, and it doesn't dry out his skin, either. Highly recommended soap." - Karen D. |
If you’d like to try a variety of goat milk skincare products, we recommend checking out our collection of goat milk soaps and skincare for cancer patients. Any of these items would make an excellent gift for someone or yourself. This collection includes all the products that we recommend for skin undergoing cancer treatments. Many of our customers have reported great success and relief for their skin after using these. And using a combination of these products, like our Castile Goat Milk Soap and Unscented Solid Goat Milk Lotion, can help maintain your skin and keep it moisturized during your cancer treatments.
"Your lotion is a skin saver. I recently (successfully) completed radiation treatment for breast cancer. What most people don't know is that radiation can burn your skin since you receive numerous treatments on the same skin on a daily basis over the course of several weeks. Being a fair-skinned redhead, by the end of treatment my skin looked like I had a severe sunburn (extremely red, peeling, you get the idea). I used everything I could think of to treat my skin, and I have to say that your lotion was the only thing that truly soothed my skin; it was even more soothing than the prescription gel that the doctor suggested." - Bridget M. |
At Goat Milk Stuff, we believe that healthy skin is happy skin. We understand that chemo and radiation are extremely difficult treatments, and we want to help ease your discomfort in any small way we can. While we can’t guarantee that our items will work for you, we can tell you that many are very pleased with them. We often hear from our customers that they are surprised when they try someone else's bar of goat milk soap that the quality is nowhere near the quality of our soap. Remember, all our products contain natural and organic ingredients designed to keep your skin clean, moisturized, and free of harsh chemicals.
We hope you will consider using adding our products to your daily skin treatment routine. If you need assistance choosing the product that is right for you, contact us and we are happy to help! We pride ourselves on answering all emails we receive as quickly as possible.
Goat Milk Soap for Chemo and Radiation Reviews
I just finished radiation therapy. It was supposed to wreak havoc on my skin. Everyone was amazed at how good my skin looked week after week. I credit goat milk soap for this difference! Thank you!
- Natalie
Hello Jonas family. I battled breast cancer in 2017 and a friend of mine gave me some of your soap. It was the only soap that gave my skin relief during chemotherapy. I loved it so much that I have been using your soaps exclusively ever since. Thank you so much for your wonderful products!
- Karen
I am currently undergoing chemotherapy. I've been fighting my cancer for 3 1/2 yrs. now. My skin has been destroyed. The chemo & radiation has changed the texture and tone of my skin. Your soap is the only thing that helps it. Thank you for making the type of soap you do. I am very grateful. It's something I could do for myself that helps me feel better while I'm fighting this terrible disease.
- Faye
I recently went though radiation for cancer in my lymph nodes. I was told that I should use goats milk soap during radiation. (by a cancer survivor) I started using it about a week before treatment started and continued though out my 6 weeks of treatment. My skin didn't even get red. I had heard the horror stories of burning and blistering of the skin. Nothing! My techs were amazed. I owe it all to goats milk soap.
- Tina