Medical Oncologist
Skin side effects
A skin care routine during chemotherapy
One simple routine, the same every day: gentle washing, moisturising twice a day, sun protection, extra care for hands and feet, short clean nails, and a two-minute evening check for anything new. Most skin problems during treatment are prevented or caught early by consistency rather than by special products.
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
What is a good daily skin care routine during chemotherapy?
One routine, the same every day, with no special products: a short lukewarm bath with a mild soap, a fragrance-free moisturiser twice a day, sun protection whenever you go out, extra moisturiser on the hands and feet, short clean nails, soft cotton clothing, and a two-minute check each evening for anything new. Consistency does far more than any cream.
This page is written to be printed and kept by the mirror or on the fridge. Most skin problems during treatment are either prevented by these habits or caught early by the evening check, when they are still easy to manage. The routine takes a few minutes a day and works for almost every drug.
Start on the first day of treatment
Skin problems are easier to prevent than to fix. Begin the routine before any dryness or soreness appears, not after.
Fewer products, not more
A plain moisturiser, a mild soap and a sunscreen are enough for most people. Every extra product is another possible source of irritation.
The evening check is the most important step
It is how a crack, a red nail fold, a new rash or a sore mouth gets noticed while it can still be dealt with simply.
Ask your team whether your drugs need any extra step, such as a particular hand cream or mouth rinse.Every day
The routine, step by step
Morning: wash gently
A short lukewarm bath or wash with a mild, unperfumed soap used only where needed. Pat dry with a soft, clean towel kept for the patient.
Morning: moisturise and protect
Fragrance-free moisturiser on face and body while the skin is still slightly damp, then an approved sunscreen on the face, neck and hands if going out.
Through the day: hands, feet and fluids
Moisturise hands after each wash, wear roomy footwear with cotton socks, keep out of the midday sun, and drink steadily.
Evening: care for hands, feet and nails
Moisturise hands and feet generously, with cotton gloves or socks over the cream if they are dry. Keep nails short and do not cut cuticles.
Evening: the two-minute check
Look at palms, soles, between the toes, nail folds, any port site, the mouth, and anywhere that itches. Note anything new and report it.
Not sure whether this applies to you?
Ask an oncologistThe evening check
What to look for, and what it may mean
- Palms and soles
- Tenderness, redness or darkening, peeling or cracks can be early hand-foot reactions on some drugs. Report the first tenderness rather than waiting for blisters.
- Between the toes and heels
- Cracks, soggy white skin or small cuts are easy routes for infection when counts are low. Dry thoroughly and cover any cut as advised.
- Nail folds
- Redness, swelling, warmth or pus around a nail can be infection. That needs your team the same day.
- Port or line site
- Redness, swelling, pain, discharge or a loose dressing need your team promptly. Do not apply creams or oils to the site.
- The mouth
- Sores, white patches or pain on swallowing. Keep up gentle mouth care and report anything stopping eating or drinking.
- New rash or spots
- Photograph it and report it. Small red or purple dots that do not fade when pressed need a blood test the same day.
!
Go to the nearest emergency department immediately for any of these
A temperature at or above your team's threshold, or shivering uncontrollably · a rash that is blistering, peeling or spreading fast, or comes with fever or mouth or eye sores · swelling of the face, lips or tongue, or difficulty breathing · small red or purple dots that do not fade when pressed, or unexplained bleeding · a hot, red, spreading area of skin or red streaks up a limb · redness, pain or discharge at a port site with fever. Say clearly that the person is on chemotherapy.
Being straight with you
What this page cannot tell you
It cannot tell you about the specific skin effects of your own drugs. Some regimens need an extra step, such as a urea-based hand cream, cooling gloves during infusions, a special mouthwash, or treatment for an acne-like rash. Ask your team to add those to this routine.
It also cannot replace examination. The evening check is for noticing changes early and reporting them, not for diagnosing them at home.
Radiotherapy areas follow different rules
If you are also having radiotherapy, the treated skin may need different care and some products must be avoided there. Follow the radiotherapy team's instructions for that area.
Children and older patients need a helper
Children, older patients and anyone with numb hands or poor eyesight may miss changes. A family member doing the evening check with them makes the routine reliable.
Keep the routine going between cycles
Skin problems often start in the recovered week when everybody relaxes. The routine matters every day of the course, not only after treatment days.
Diabetes needs daily foot checks
People with diabetes may not feel injuries to the feet. The evening check of the soles, heels and between the toes is especially important for them.
Keep a small kit in one place
A basket or box with the moisturiser, soap, sunscreen, lip balm, cotton gloves and socks, nail clippers and a notebook for anything you notice. Keeping everything together makes the routine quicker and means a relative can take over on the hard days without searching.
Write down what you find
One line in the notebook when something new appears, with the date. It helps your team see how a change developed.
What to do next
Print this routine and put it where you will see it. Buy a fragrance-free moisturiser, a mild soap, cotton gloves and socks, and a sunscreen your team approves. Start on the first day of treatment, do the evening check every night, and report anything new to your team.
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Commonly believed
Four ideas that undermine a routine
"I will start looking after my skin when problems appear."
Problems are far easier to prevent than to treat. Starting the routine on the first day of treatment usually means milder skin effects.
"More products will protect the skin better."
Each extra product is another chance of irritation. A plain moisturiser, mild soap and sunscreen do most of the work.
"Checking the skin every day is excessive."
It takes two minutes, and it is how infections, reactions and cracks are caught while they are still simple to manage.
"The recovered week does not need the routine."
Skin problems often start when everybody relaxes. Keep the routine every day of the course, including the good weeks.
Questions we are asked
Common questions about a daily skin routine
What products do I actually need?
A mild unperfumed soap, a fragrance-free moisturiser, a sunscreen your team approves, and cotton gloves and socks. Your team may add something specific for your drugs, such as a particular hand cream.
How often should I moisturise?
At least twice a day on the whole body, and more often on hands and feet, especially after washing. Apply it while the skin is still slightly damp for the best effect.
What should I check each evening?
Palms, soles, between the toes, heels, nail folds, any port site, the mouth, and anywhere itchy or sore. Note anything new and report it rather than waiting.
Do I need sunscreen every day?
Whenever you go outside or sit near sunny windows, on the face, neck and hands. Many drugs increase sun sensitivity, and covering clothing adds to the protection.
Can I use my usual soap and creams?
If they are mild and unperfumed and still suit your skin, often yes. Stop anything that stings, and avoid strong, perfumed, exfoliating or antiseptic products during treatment.
Should I do this between cycles too?
Yes, every day of the course. Skin problems can start in the recovered week, and consistent care is what prevents them.
Who should do the evening check?
The patient if they can see and feel well, or a family member for children, older patients, or anyone with numb hands or feet or poor eyesight.
What if I find something during the check?
Photograph it, note when it started, and contact your team. Go to emergency for fever, a blistering or spreading rash, face swelling, or spreading redness.
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Dr. C. Raghavendra Reddy
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MBBS, MD(General Medicine), DM(Medical Oncology)(Adyar,Chennai), ECMO, MRCP SCE(UK)
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MBBS, MD (General Medicine), DrNB (Medical Oncology), ECMO, MRCP SCE (Medical Oncology) (UK)
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Dr. Vinay Mamidala
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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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