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Chemotherapy Skincare: 5 Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them

By Marine Marachlian, MD Sep 3, 2026

Fact checked by Mariam Khachatryan, MD

Medically reviewed by Amalya Sargsyan, MD

Chemotherapy is life-saving, but it can also affect healthy cells, including the skin. During treatment, the skin may become very dry, sensitive, itchy, or more easily irritated. Some patients also notice redness, peeling, or increased sensitivity that develops gradually over days or weeks.

While these changes are often temporary, everyday skincare habits can sometimes make them worse. Harsh products, not moisturizing enough, or exposing already sensitive skin to further irritation can increase discomfort and weaken the skin barrier. Knowing what to avoid and how to care for the skin gently can help reduce irritation, protect the skin, and make treatment a little more comfortable.

Chemotherapy Skincare: 5 Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them

1. Using Harsh Soaps, Perfumed Products, and Alcohol-Based Skincare

During chemotherapy, the skin barrier can become more fragile and sensitive to everyday irritants. Fragrances, dyes, and alcohol-based ingredients may worsen dryness, itching, and irritation, especially when the skin is already sensitive.

To reduce discomfort, choose gentle, fragrance-free products made for sensitive skin. Ingredients such as ceramides, colloidal oatmeal, and petroleum jelly can help support the skin barrier and keep the skin hydrated. Use a mild, unscented cleanser, pat the skin dry instead of rubbing, and apply moisturizer while the skin is still slightly damp to help lock in moisture.

2. Skipping Sunscreen and Sun Protection, Even While Indoors

Chemotherapy can make the skin more sensitive to sunlight, which means it may burn more easily than usual. This can happen even with indirect sun exposure, so daily sun protection is especially important during treatment.

Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher and reapply it regularly when spending time outdoors. Mineral sunscreens containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are often gentler on sensitive skin. Wearing a wide-brimmed hat, long sleeves, and UPF clothing can provide extra protection, especially during peak sun hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. An SPF lip balm can also help protect lips that may become dry or sensitive during chemotherapy.

3. Taking Hot Showers to Relieve Chills During Chemotherapy

Chills can happen during chemotherapy infusions, and while hot water may feel comforting, it can make dry or sensitive skin worse. Long, hot showers can strip the skin of its natural oils and increase dryness, itching, and cracking.

Use lukewarm water instead and keep showers short, ideally under 10 minutes. Choose a soft washcloth rather than a rough loofah, and gently pat the skin dry instead of rubbing. Applying a thick moisturizer within a few minutes of showering can help lock in moisture.

If chills occur during an infusion, warm blankets and extra layers are usually a better option than hot water. Patients should also let their infusion nurse know, especially if the chills are new, severe, or accompanied by other symptoms.

4. Scrubbing or Exfoliating Dry, Flaky Skin During Cancer Treatment

Seeing flaky skin, it can be tempting to scrub it off. However, this can be harmful during chemotherapy. The skin barrier is already more fragile, and scrubbing can create small tears that may increase the risk of irritation or infection.

Healthline and Cleveland Clinic advise avoiding physical scrubs, loofahs, and chemical exfoliants such as AHAs and BHAs during treatment. Instead, cleanse gently with your fingertips using a mild, non-abrasive cleanser. If dry patches persist, use soothing emollients such as petroleum jelly or thick ceramide creams.

For scalp care after hair loss, keep the scalp clean, moisturized, and protected with a soft cotton cap. Keep nails short and avoid aggressive manicures to help reduce the risk of cuts and infection.

5. Not Reporting Skin Changes Early to the Oncology Team

Delayed reporting of skin changes can be a serious mistake. Any blistering rash, severe itching, pink or red patches, or signs of infection such as swelling or pain should be reported to the care team promptly. Some skin reactions may signal an infection or a drug-related reaction that needs medical attention.

Dermatologists working with oncology teams can prescribe safe topical steroids or other treatments when needed. Early reporting can help prevent complications and improve comfort. Keeping a small diary of skin changes, with photos and dates, can also help the doctor assess how the skin is changing over time.

Home remedies or steroid creams should not be used without checking with the oncology team first.

Conclusion

Skin changes during chemotherapy are common and are usually manageable with consistent care. Mistakes such as using harsh products, skipping sun protection, taking long hot showers, scrubbing flaky skin, or delaying the reporting of symptoms can make discomfort worse.

A simple skincare routine that focuses on fragrance-free, hydrating products and daily broad-spectrum sun protection can help support the skin barrier. Early communication with the oncology care team is also important to prevent complications and make sure any skin reactions are treated appropriately.

Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult your oncology care team.

Written by Kami Sheraz in Memory of His Mother.

FAQ

Is dry skin common during chemotherapy?

Yes. Chemotherapy can make the skin drier, more sensitive, and easier to irritate.

What moisturizer is best during chemotherapy?

Fragrance-free, gentle moisturizers with ingredients like ceramides or petroleum jelly are often well tolerated.

Should I use sunscreen during chemotherapy?

Yes. Some chemotherapy drugs can increase sun sensitivity, so broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher is recommended.

Can I exfoliate my skin during chemotherapy?

It is usually best to avoid harsh scrubs, loofahs, and strong chemical exfoliants while the skin is sensitive.

When should I contact my doctor about skin changes?

Report severe itching, blistering, painful redness, swelling, or signs of infection to your oncology care team promptly.

Author

Marine Marachlian

Marine Marachlian is an oncology resident, clinical researcher and analyst, and Scientific Content Writer at OncoDaily. Her work focuses on oncology, cancer epidemiology, clinical research, evidence synthesis, and public health, with a particular interest in cancer prevention, emerging therapies, supportive cancer care, and science communication. She is passionate about translating complex medical evidence into accurate, accessible, and impactful content that supports healthcare professionals and advances evidence-based oncology practice. At OncoDaily, Marine writes scientific and medical content covering oncology research, clinical trials, emerging therapies, supportive cancer care, and educational resources. Her work aims to make the latest scientific developments understandable and relevant to clinicians, researchers, and the broader medical community. Beyond medical writing, Marine is actively involved in clinical and epidemiological research. She presented her research at the 35th European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID Global 2025) in Vienna, Austria, where she presented the poster “HIV Stigma and Its Impact on Healthcare Engagement: A Study Among People Living with HIV in Armenia.” The study explored the impact of HIV-related stigma on healthcare engagement and access to care, highlighting the importance of educational, structural, and public health interventions in improving health outcomes. As an oncology resident and researcher, Marine is particularly interested in cancer epidemiology, cancer prevention and control, clinical research, health outcomes, and the translation of evidence into clinical practice. She is committed to advancing patient-centered, evidence-based oncology while contributing to research and scientific communication that can improve cancer care. Through her work in oncology, epidemiology, research, and medical writing, Marine strives to bridge the gap between scientific discovery and clinical practice, making reliable medical knowledge more accessible and contributing to better patient care and public health outcomes.

Fact checked by Mariam Khachatryan MD Mariam Khachatryan, MD, is a medical oncologist, Editor-in-Chief of OncoDaily GI and GU, and Researcher at the Immune Oncology Research Institute (IMMONC). Her work focuses on gastrointestinal and genitourinary oncology, with a special interest in pancreatic cancer, targeted therapy, clinical trial interpretation, and drug development. At OncoDaily, she leads scientific coverage of clinical trial updates, drug approvals, conference highlights, expert perspectives, and educational content in GI and GU oncology. She is also the founder of JocOnDa, the official Journal Club of OncoDaily, which brings together oncology professionals to discuss landmark publications, special topics, and practice-changing clinical trials.

Medically reviewed by Amalya Sargsyan MD Amalya Sargsyan, MD, MSc, is a medical oncologist in Yerevan, Armenia, and Vice President of Research & Intelligence at OncoDaily. She heads the Sarcoma Service at D'Clinic, treats adult solid tumors at the Adult Solid Tumors and Chemotherapy Clinic of the Yeolyan Hematology and Oncology Center, and leads the Adult Solid Tumor Team at the Immune Oncology Research Institute. Her clinical practice covers sarcoma, gastrointestinal cancers, and adolescent and young adult (AYA) oncology. She earned her MD and completed medical oncology residency at Yerevan State Medical University, then an MSc in Precision Medicine in Clinical Practice at the University of Cyprus. Her sarcoma training began at the Bank of Cyprus Oncology Centre and continued through a three-month fellowship at the Sarcoma Unit of Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori in Milan, organized with the European School of Oncology, followed by observerships at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and the sarcoma program at Stanford Medicine. She trained in gastrointestinal oncology under the mentorship of Yelena Janjigian at MSK, as a recipient of the ASCO Conquer Cancer International Development and Education Award and Memorial Sloan Kettering GI Oncology International Training Award. Her research addresses access and equity in cancer care in low- and middle-income countries. She is principal investigator of the IMMONKG study, a multinational retrospective cohort examining alternative immune checkpoint inhibitor dosing strategies across LMICs, and first author of the JCO Global Oncology analysis of immunotherapy access in Armenia's out-of-pocket health system (Sargsyan et al., 2025). She has authored and contributed to peer-reviewed publications in journals including Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology, JCO Global Oncology, The Lancet Oncology, and Expert Review of Gastroenterology & Hepatology. She has received ESMO Leadership and Career Development Award in 2026, the ESMO Merit Award twice and the ASCO Conquer Cancer International Development and Education Award. At OncoDaily she directs the Research & Intelligence unit, overseeing global oncology content strategy, editorial operations across six disease verticals, and more than 50 scientific events a year - including the How I Treat virtual summit series. She is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Yerevan State Medical University, founder of the Young Oncology Group of Armenia, and founder of the ASCO Oncology Student Interest Group at Yeolyan.