- Bio-First, the Australian radiation skincare brand, is closing in May 2026
- Bio-First was one of the few Australian brands positioned specifically for radiation-affected skin
- The core requirements for radiation skin care remain the same: fragrance-free, suitable from day one of treatment, designed for the oil depletion that radiation causes
- Calm+ by Mac Pure is formulated for the same audience, with the same core commitments
- Existing Bio-First customers can switch directly to Calm+ without an adjustment period
If you found Bio-First through your radiation oncology team, or through another patient, you already understand why it mattered that a product existed specifically for this.
Most skincare is not designed for radiation-affected skin. Bio-First was. That specificity is what made it useful to a lot of people going through treatment, and it is why its closure leaves a genuine gap.
What Bio-First did well
Bio-First was fragrance-free, positioned explicitly for radiation dermatitis, and used by oncology nurses and radiation therapists in Australian cancer centres. For patients who had been given generic sorbolene or nothing at all, it was a meaningful step forward.
The products worked because they took the skin condition seriously. Radiation skin is not just dry skin. The radiation field damages the sebaceous glands responsible for oil production. Products that only add moisture to the surface do not address that underlying loss. Bio-First understood the problem.
Why the closure matters
There are very few Australian brands that specifically address radiation-affected skin. Most of what is available in chemists and supermarkets was designed for garden-variety dryness, or for conditions like eczema that involve a different set of skin changes.
When a brand built for this specific need closes, the patients who relied on it are left searching. Many will default to whatever their nurse or pharmacist recommends, which often means sorbolene again, which often means the same frustration that led them to Bio-First in the first place.
What to look for in a replacement
The core requirements are the same regardless of what brand you are switching to.
Fragrance-free is non-negotiable. All current Australian and international radiation oncology guidelines require fragrance-free products in the treatment field. Any product with added fragrance, including those marketed as natural or gentle, carries real risk during treatment.
Formulation matters beyond fragrance. The most effective products for radiation skin are those that address the lipid depletion that radiation causes, not just the dryness at the surface. Macadamia oil, which contains 17-22% omega-7 (palmitoleic acid), replenishes the same fatty acid that the skin's own oil glands produce. That structural match is what makes it more effective than a general moisturiser for this specific condition.
Suitable from day one of treatment is the other marker worth checking. Some products are designed for recovery after treatment ends. What most patients need is something they can start using immediately, before skin breakdown begins, and continue through the full course.
Calm+ as a direct alternative
Calm+ was formulated for the same patients Bio-First served. It is fragrance-free, suitable from the first day of treatment, and built around macadamia oil as its active ingredient.
The formulation is designed for daily use during and after radiation treatment, including for people recovering from breast cancer treatment, head and neck radiation, and other sites where radiation dermatitis is a significant concern.
For patients who had established a routine with Bio-First, switching to Calm+ does not require an adjustment period. The purpose is the same. The commitment to fragrance-free is the same. The underlying logic, replenishing what radiation takes away rather than adding generic moisture, is the same.
If your skin during treatment was more severely broken down, Restore+ is a heavier cream formulation suited to cracked, thinning, or significantly depleted areas. Many patients use both: Calm+ for daily maintenance across the broader treatment field, Restore+ for more advanced breakdown in specific areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an Australian alternative to Bio-First for radiation skin care?
Yes. Calm+ by Mac Pure is formulated for radiation-affected skin, fragrance-free, and suitable from the first day of treatment. It is Australian-owned and made.
Can I switch directly from Bio-First to Calm+ without a break?
Yes. Both products are designed for the same skin condition and share the core requirement of being fragrance-free. You can switch without an adjustment period.
Why is fragrance-free so important during radiation treatment?
Radiation sensitises the skin in the treatment field significantly. Fragrances that would normally be well-tolerated can cause reactions on radiation-affected skin. All current Australian radiation oncology guidelines specify fragrance-free products for this reason.
What makes Calm+ suitable for radiation skin specifically?
Calm+ is built around macadamia oil, which contains 17-22% omega-7 (palmitoleic acid). This is the same fatty acid that the skin's sebaceous glands produce and that radiation damages those glands' ability to make. Replenishing it directly addresses the underlying cause of radiation skin dryness rather than just treating the surface.
Where can I find Calm+ in Australia?
Calm+ is available online at macadamiapure.com and ships across Australia with standard and express options.
Bio-First served its patients well. The patients it served still need what it provided.
If you are mid-treatment and searching for what to use now, Calm+ is where to start. If your skin has significant breakdown already, Restore+ alongside Calm+ gives more intensive barrier support.
Your oncology team should know what you are switching to. Bring the product to your next appointment if you want to confirm it is appropriate for your specific treatment field.