How one woman's cancer battle inspired her to create a skin care range to help others feel beautiful during treatment
Sponsored by Live Better With Cancer
Hair loss, debilitating nausea, a painful mouth… the physical side effects of cancer treatments are incredibly difficult to bear.
But nothing prepares you for the turmoil the diagnosis will have on your emotions, especially as a woman.
'Your whole femininity crumbles', says Isabelle Guyomarch, entrepreneur, mother-of-two and breast cancer survivor.
'It's often the follow-up treatments that are hardest to cope with, the scars and the side-effects. Your feminine identity is completely destroyed and you have to reinvent it again.'
ISABELLE'S STORY
In August 2013, the French businesswoman's life was turned upside down when she was diagnosed with aggressive stage-3 breast cancer.
Refusing to let her diagnosis defeat her, Isabelle explains how she 'rebuilt' herself as a woman – by deciding to help others going through the same thing.
'I fought for life and I won; I'm in remission,' she says. 'But I needed to make sense of my battle, like many cancer survivors do.'
Innovation: Isabelle Guyomarch is the founder of Ozalys, a cosmetics brand created for women affected by cancer
And so Ozalys was born.
An innovative beauty brand, Ozalys caters to the most fragile percentage of the population, the women 'ignored' by the mainstream, commercialized beauty industry.
With gentle formulas and no harmful ingredients, their products are soothing, moisturizing and luxurious to use.
A range created by women for women, the entrepreneur has sought to make the difficult time easier, offering a luxury experience to ladies experiencing symptoms she knows only too well.
As her cancer took hold, Isabelle admits facing herself in the bathroom mirror every day was a struggle.
After going through surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, Isabelle lost her hair, eyelashes, and eyebrows, but most of all, her confidence.
She recalls: 'The bathroom became a place of suffering, where the idea of catching a glimpse of my reflection in the mirror paralyzed me.'
TOUGH TIMES
It wasn't just the physical symptoms she found tough, however, and the reaction of some of her peers hurt the most.
The businesswoman's successful career came to an abrupt standstill and she found her job heading up a luxury cosmetics company at risk.
Isabelle explains: 'Having cancer is a double-edged sword. Not only are you ill, but you lose your job on top of that – almost a third of patients lose their jobs within two years after cancer strikes.
'That was the case for me with the banks, my associates who tried to sell their shares behind my back while I was going through chemo.'
Thankfully, she was supported by her husband Bruno and daughters Lisa and Cecile, and the girls are now her business partners, joining her at the frontline of her re-branded company, whose employees are 80 per cent female.
'I was able to save my business thanks to my youngest daughter, then my second daughter joined us to create the product line,' she says of the process of re-buying the business in 2018 and officially launching Ozalys 18 months ago.
'I'm all about family business, it's a woman's workplace and I have no intention of selling it. I will pass it on to my girls, just like I have passed on my values,' she reveals.
Fierce feminist Isabelle, who has penned bestselling book Fighting Lady about her battle, says her daughters were a major motivation in building her new brand.
'It's so hard to see your loved ones unhappy. Sometimes you do everything possible not to show your pain.
'When a woman looks at her children and thinks, 'My God, will I be able to raise my kids? What are they going to do without me?', it's a kind of emotional torture and deep psychological pain all cancer patients go through.
'So I've tried to testify, to speak out, helping stop the feeling of being alone in this,' she reflects.
SPECIALLY ADAPTED PRODUCTS
Drawing upon her personal experience of feeling weakened by cancer treatments, Isabelle and her team created a range of 11 products specially adapted for all patients' needs.
Detailing what's special about her fluoride-free, Essential Care Refreshing Toothpaste with Ginger, she says: 'When you're in chemotherapy, you have bad breath, you feel sick, you have a dry mouth… so we've put in real ginger extract, which is an amazing anti-nauseant and anti-humectant.
'All our products have specially-conceived lids that you can twist and not lift off because your hands can become very damaged.'
It's not about making money for her - it's about meeting people's needs.
Fighter: The French businesswoman's life was turned upside down when she was diagnosed with aggressive stage-3 breast cancer
'I've created the Absolute Care Hand and Foot Moisturizing Cream, which is three products in one.
'Even if you still have the financial means during your cancer battle, you no longer have the strength to use a ton of products.
'It's easy to lie to people and say you need to buy three different creams, but you really don't if they're very high quality.
'Everything has a double function – a day cream that can double as a night cream for instance [the Precious Care Day And Night Moisturizer].'
The groundbreaking range also includes perfume, which has been designed to only be applied to a specific area and ingredients selected for skin weakened by chemo, with fragrances chosen to minimize headaches.
Explaining the ethos behind her fast-growing brand, she said: 'You're a different person, both psychologically and physically after cancer.
'But you can create something positive out of it, that's my approach with Ozalys.
'I want to help women to get back up, to get back in front of the bathroom mirror, to find their inner confidence again, find out who they are now.'
A SENSE OF COMMUNITY
18.1 million new cases of cancer were diagnosed in 2018 and one in six women globally will contract the disease over their lifetimes, but it can often be a lonely experience.
Live Better With Cancer is the go-to online community for people living with long-term conditions to discover everyday practical support for their symptoms and side effects.
Working to create and curate trusted, helpful information and products, the site encourages learning and sharing between those going through the same experience, providing a welcoming space to chat in their Forum.
Isabelle strongly believes women should rally around one another in tough times, explaining that the common theme for patients is solitude.
'Even when you're surrounded by people, you can feel alone, against your illness, against life,' she says.
'There is a real need to create structures to welcome women, where you can speak with others going through the same thing, as well as those who are removed for it.'
'A support system is even more important now that more and more people are surviving cancer,' she adds.
'It can't be about survival, it has to be about life after cancer. Survival is not enough! You have to learn to live again.'
The inspiring lady has some words of wisdom to share with those currently battling cancer.
She concludes: 'Never forget that you're heroes. We're all fighting for our lives.
'Fighting and being a heroine is very difficult – you're going through hell right now, but remember that you are a strong woman.'
The products here to help
Ozalys has created a complete range of products specifically for women directly or indirectly affected by cancer.
Their highly soothing, moisturizing and protective products, with their delicate applicators and subtle fragrances make daily beauty routines also moments of well-being and comfort.
Ozalys Soothing Care Soft Scalp Lotion - $40
Hair loss and wearing wigs, caps and hats makes your scalp sensitive and uncomfortable - take some time out of your day to care for your scalp and restore your sense of self.
What is it? A highly moisturizing and protective lotion, providing vital nutrients, reviving and helping preserve hair for the future.
What's in it? Soothing Anacryn to give life to your hair, Aquacacteen for its moisturizing properties, PRO-Vitamin B5 to fortify and Sweet Almond Oil and Glycerin, creating an emollient and moisturizing cocktail.
How do I use it? The Soft Scalp Lotion's light texture can be delicately massaged into the scalp with your fingers, promoting local micro-circulation.
Use the Ozalys soft terry cloth glove, made from Bamboo fiber, to rinse and remove the treatment without needing to wet the scalp.
What do customers say? Rachel's verdict: 'I have really suffered with dry itchy scalp, have tried so many things, so glad I found this! It made such a difference almost instantly. It is incredible and a little goes a long way so sure it will last a long time! It's a great scent too!'
Ozalys Essential Care Refreshing Toothpaste with Ginger - $14
Choosing the right toothpaste is essential to help reduce gum pain and restore a sense of balance, and this gentle formula will help.
What is it? The toothpaste provides freshness and comfort with a special mint and ginger flavor, helping restore oral hygiene and well-being.
What's in it? Anti-oxidant Ginger Extract to help reduce discomfort and minimize the sensation of a dry mouth, Pro-Vitamin B5 for soothing gums and Sorbitol and Glycerin to provide balance and comfort.
A soft mint flavor makes brushing your teeth a pleasant experience - with no stinging sensation.
How do I use it? The Essential Care Refreshing Toothpaste can be used as normal, after every meal, without attacking your gingival mucosa.
What do customers say? Bill said: 'This is great, my mouth is so sensitive and all minty toothpastes hurt my mouth. This is very gentle but still feels clean and fresh.'
Ozalys Precious Care Day and Night Moisturizing Cream - $34
When treatment makes your skin uncomfortable, hydration becomes essential.
What is it? This luxurious cream nourishes and calms skin in one single step.
Your skin regains radiance, suppleness and firmness - making skincare both simple and complete for everyday use.
What's in it? Matrixyl® 3000, which limits skin damage due to aging, and CM-Glucan to strengthen the skin barrier, calm sensitive skin and improve comfort.
It also includes Peach Butter and Glycerin, creating an emollient-rich mixture to retain moisture, and AquaCacteen, boasting soothing and moisturizing properties.
How do I use it? Both a day AND a night cream, this go-to moisturizer caters to all your needs. Simply use a more generous dose of the product before bedtime.
What do customers say? Becki commented: 'Lovely moisturizer, absorbs quickly and has a nice subtle smell which is not overpowering.'
*Prices shown are based on the exchange as at 5/2/2019 and will vary according to the current exchange rate.
