Medical Oncologist
Skin side effects
Cosmetics and skincare during chemotherapy
Usually yes, with a shorter and gentler list than before. Fragrance-free moisturiser, a mild cleanser, an approved sunscreen and gentle make-up on intact skin are generally fine. What to put aside is anything harsh, perfumed, exfoliating, bleaching or invasive, including peels, acid serums, fairness creams and salon treatments that break the skin.
NG
Medically reviewed by Dr. Naresh GunduConsultant Medical Oncologist · MBBS, DNB (Internal Medicine), DM (Medical Oncology, AIIMS) · last reviewed September 2026, next review due September 2027
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The short answer
Can you use make-up and skincare products during chemotherapy?
Usually yes, with a shorter and gentler list than before. Fragrance-free moisturiser, a mild cleanser, a sunscreen your team approves, and gentle make-up on intact skin are generally fine. What to put aside for the course is anything harsh, perfumed, exfoliating, bleaching or invasive: scrubs, peels, retinol and acid serums, fairness creams, hair removal creams on sensitive skin, and salon treatments that break the skin.
Skin during treatment is thinner, drier, more easily irritated and more sensitive to sun, and cuts heal more slowly when counts are low. Products that suited you for years can suddenly sting or cause a rash. The rule is simple: keep to fewer, plainer products, and check before adding anything new.
Fragrance-free is the single most useful filter
Perfume and essential oils are the commonest cause of irritation in skincare. Choosing unperfumed versions removes much of the risk in one step.
Patch test anything new
A little on the inside of the forearm for a day or two before using it on the face. If it stings, reddens or itches, do not use it.
Hygiene matters more than usual
Clean hands, clean brushes and sponges, and no sharing of make-up. Old mascara and shared lipsticks carry bacteria.
Show any new cream, serum or treatment to your team before starting it during chemotherapy.Keep or pause
What is generally fine, and what to put aside
- Generally fine: plain moisturiser
- A fragrance-free cream or lotion, used twice a day on face and body. The most useful product during treatment, and the one to prioritise.
- Generally fine: mild cleanser
- A gentle, soap-free or unperfumed cleanser with lukewarm water, rather than foaming face washes or medicated soaps.
- Generally fine: approved sunscreen
- Many drugs increase sun sensitivity. A broad-spectrum sunscreen your team approves protects the face and hands and helps darkening fade.
- Generally fine: gentle make-up
- Fragrance-free foundation, concealer, kajal and lipstick on intact skin, removed gently at night. Many patients find it helps them feel like themselves.
- Pause: exfoliants, peels and actives
- Scrubs, chemical peels, retinol, glycolic and salicylic acid serums and strong anti-ageing products irritate treated skin and increase sun damage.
- Pause: bleaching and fairness creams
- Many contain steroids or harsh agents that thin skin and worsen darkening. Avoid them during and for a while after treatment.
Not sure whether this applies to you?
Ask an oncologistPractical
A simpler routine for the course
Fewer products, gentler habits, cleaner tools.
Morning
Rinse or cleanse gently with lukewarm water, moisturise, then apply an approved sunscreen to face, neck and hands. Add make-up if you wish, on top of the moisturiser.
Keep it to
- Three steps at most
- Unperfumed products
Evening
Remove make-up gently with a mild cleanser or plain oil on cotton, rinse, pat dry and moisturise. Do not rub hard or use make-up wipes that sting.
Tools and hygiene
Wash brushes and sponges weekly, replace mascara and eye pencils regularly, and never share make-up. Sharpen kajal pencils before use.
Replace
- Old mascara and liquid liners
- Worn sponges
Eyebrows and lashes
If they thin, a soft brow pencil and gentle kajal work well. Avoid lash glue, extensions and eyelash tinting during treatment, which can irritate and infect.
Nails
Keep them short and plain. If you want polish, ask your team and use an acetone-free remover. Avoid gel, acrylics and salon cuticle work.
Best postponed
Treatments to leave until after chemotherapy
- Facials with extraction or steam
- Chemical peels and laser treatments
- Threading, waxing on sensitive or broken skin
- Hair colouring, bleaching and straightening
- Eyelash extensions and brow tinting
- Microblading, tattoos and piercings
- Gel or acrylic nails and cuticle cutting
- Skin-lightening injections or drips
Being straight with you
What this page cannot tell you
It cannot tell you which specific brands are safe for your skin. Products and skin differ, and a general page cannot vouch for any particular one. Ask your team, and patch test anything new before using it on the face.
It also cannot tell you exactly when it is safe to return to salon treatments. That depends on how your skin and blood counts recover, and on whether you have ongoing treatment. Ask at your end-of-treatment review.
Wanting to look like yourself is reasonable
Make-up, a familiar routine and caring for your appearance are not vanity during treatment. Many patients say it is what helps them face visitors, work and the mirror. The aim is to do it safely, not to give it up.
Radiotherapy skin has its own rules
If you are having radiotherapy, follow that team's instructions for the treated area, including what not to apply before sessions.
Be cautious with products sold to cancer patients
Special creams, serums and supplements marketed for chemotherapy skin are often expensive and rarely better than a plain moisturiser. Ask before buying.
Sensitive skin can persist after treatment
Skin may stay more reactive for some months after the last cycle. Reintroduce old products one at a time, patch testing each, rather than all at once.
Look after the lips and eyes too
Lips crack easily during treatment, so a plain, fragrance-free lip balm used often is worth more than lipstick. Eyes can become dry or watery with some drugs. Avoid heavy eye make-up if they are sore, remove kajal gently every night, and tell your team about redness, stickiness or pain in the eyes rather than using drops from the pharmacy.
Deodorant is usually fine
A gentle, fragrance-free deodorant on intact underarm skin is generally acceptable. Skip it on broken or irritated skin, and follow the radiotherapy team's advice if the underarm or chest is being treated.
What to do next
Cut back to a fragrance-free moisturiser, a mild cleanser, an approved sunscreen and gentle make-up if you want it. Patch test anything new, keep tools clean, and put aside scrubs, peels, actives, bleaching creams and salon treatments until after treatment. Ask your team before adding anything new.
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Commonly believed
Four ideas about beauty care on treatment
"Make-up is not allowed during chemotherapy."
Gentle, fragrance-free make-up on intact skin is generally fine and helps many patients feel like themselves. Remove it gently and keep tools clean.
"A facial will fix dull, dark skin."
Extractions, steam, peels and scrubs irritate treated skin and can break it, which is an infection risk. Leave facials until after treatment.
"Natural and ayurvedic products are always gentle."
Many contain essential oils or strong herbs that irritate sensitive skin. Patch test and prefer plain, unperfumed products.
"Expensive chemotherapy skin products work better."
A plain fragrance-free moisturiser and sunscreen do most of the work. Specialist products marketed to patients are rarely necessary.
Questions we are asked
Common questions about cosmetics and skincare
Can I wear make-up during chemotherapy?
Usually yes. Choose fragrance-free products, apply them on intact skin over a moisturiser, remove gently at night, and keep brushes and sponges clean. Avoid it on broken or irritated skin.
Which skincare products should I stop?
Scrubs, peels, retinol and acid serums, strong anti-ageing products, bleaching and fairness creams, and anything heavily perfumed. These irritate treated skin and increase sun sensitivity.
Can I get a facial or threading?
Best postponed. Facials with extraction, threading or waxing can break or irritate the skin, which is an infection risk during low counts. Ask your team if something is important to you.
Can I colour or straighten my hair?
Generally wait until after treatment. Chemicals can irritate the scalp, and hair that is thinning or regrowing is fragile. Ask your team when it is safe to start again.
What can I do if my eyebrows thin?
A soft brow pencil or powder works well. Avoid microblading, tinting and lash extensions during treatment, which carry irritation and infection risk.
How do I choose a new product safely?
Pick fragrance-free, patch test on the inner forearm for a day or two, and introduce only one new product at a time so any reaction is easy to trace.
Is sunscreen necessary indoors?
If you sit near windows or travel by car, yes on the face and hands, because sun reaches through glass. Ask your team to recommend one suitable for your skin.
When can I go back to my usual routine?
Gradually, some months after treatment as the skin settles. Reintroduce products one at a time with a patch test, and ask at your end-of-treatment review about salon treatments.
Meet the Specialists
17+ senior cancer specialists. One panel for your case.
Trained at AIIMS, Tata Memorial, and leading international centres. Combined 150+ years of experience. Every complex case is reviewed by 3+ of them — together.
Medical Oncologist
Dr. C. Raghavendra Reddy
MBBS(Gold Medal), DNB(General Medicine), DM(Medical Oncology)(Gold Medal)
Medical Oncologist
Dr. Bharati Devi Gorantla
MBBS, MD(General Medicine), DM(Medical Oncology)(Adyar,Chennai), ECMO, MRCP SCE(UK)
Medical Oncologist
Dr. Owais Mohammed
MBBS, MD (General Medicine), DrNB (Medical Oncology), ECMO, MRCP SCE (Medical Oncology) (UK)
Medical Oncologist
Medical Oncologist
Surgical Oncologist
Dr. Muralidhar Muddusetty
MBBS (AIIMS), MS (Surgery) (AIIMS), DNB (Surgical Oncology), MRCS (Edinburgh)
Surgical Oncologist
Surgical Oncologist
Surgical Oncologist
Dr. Vinay Mamidala
MBBS, MS(General Surgery), M.Ch(Surgical Oncology), FMAS, FARIS(Ongoing)
Surgical Oncologist
Radiation Oncologist
Radiation Oncologist
Radiation Oncologist
Hematologist
Surgical Oncologist
Dr. Vajja Sandeep Kumar
MBBS, MS (General Surgery), DrNB (Surgical Oncology), FALS Oncology
Surgical Oncologist
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Sources
- American Cancer Society — Skin Problems
- Macmillan Cancer Support — Skin changes
- National Cancer Institute — Chemotherapy and You: Support for People With Cancer
This page is general information, not a prescription. Do not change or stop any treatment based on what you read here. If anything is worrying you, contact your own treating team — or call our helpline and we will help you reach the right specialist.
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