Beauty Clinic: I have cancer...

Q. I have cancer and am looking for a range of natural make-up and skincare.  A. We suggest you visit the following excellent website, www.beautydespitecancer.co.uk, developed by cosmetic formulator Jennifer Young (see below for everything else she does) for people in your situation, in tandem with patients and nurses.  The site is so comprehensive that you might want to get the kettle on and settle down for a while to read it through.

There is all the information you could ever need about the changes that happen to your appearance during cancer treatment and lots of personal stories, plus Defiant Beauty, the natural make-up and skincare brand that avoids harmful chemicals including both synthetic and natural compounds that may disrupt hormones.

Jennifer created Defiant Beauty in response to a request from women patients who had been through cancer treatment at her local hospital.  They, and some of those going through treatment, worked with her to create a skincare range addressing the specific skin issues resulting from some cancer treatments.

Jennifer explains: ‘the lead nurses joined the group to provide guidelines as to the ingredients that should not be included in a beauty collection for cancer patients. The patients and ex-patients provided told [me] of their skin conditions as well as the types of product and product values they wanted. [I] used [my] scientific background to add to “the rules”, always erring on the side of caution.’

Hair and wig care including a home colouring kit also feature, and Hypothermia cooling cap equipment, to help minimise hair loss during treatment.  Hypothermia Cooling Gloves and Slippers are said to reduce nail damage

There is also a free Appearance Advice Line (0800-999 8518, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. weekdays).

Finally, we asked Jennifer what her background is – just take a deep breath.  Here’s her background: ‘Jennifer Young has a BSc (Hons) in Biology and is an experienced microbiologist, is a qualified and practicing nutritional therapist, an associate member of the Royal Society of Medicine, a qualified aromatherapist, beauty therapist and product formulator. She has two post-graduate qualifications in health-related fields, has been accepted by the courts as an expert witness for occupational health cases and has been active in medical research.  (So we trust what she does….)’

• Hypothermia Cooling Cap, Gloves and Slippers/£180 each - buy here