Skincare during cancer treatment often needs to be especially gentle, supportive and considered. Our full skincare collection is now available on the Macmillan online store, helping people access fragrance-free, Dermatologically Approved skincare for sensitive, treatment-compromised skin. 

At By Sarah, this feels deeply personal. When Lauren was recovering from acute myeloid leukaemia, Sarah began formulating gentle skincare to soothe her sister’s fragile skin. That experience continues to shape everything we create today.

We understand that skincare during treatment is rarely just about appearance, it’s often about comfort, confidence and finding small moments of normality within difficult days.

What skincare is suitable during cancer treatment?

Skincare during cancer treatment should be gentle, fragrance-free and focused on maintaining hydration and protecting compromised skin. Products that help reduce dryness, tightness and sensitivity are often best, but individual needs can vary, so it is always wise to check with your specialist nurse before introducing skincare during treatment.

Table of Contents

• Why is skincare important during cancer treatment?
• What skincare ingredients are best during cancer treatment?
• What products help sensitive skin during chemotherapy?
• What is the best skincare routine during cancer treatment?
• How does this support people beyond skincare?
• Quick Summary
• FAQs

Why is skincare important during cancer treatment?

During cancer treatment, the skin barrier can become weakened, leading to dryness, sensitivity and increased reactivity. Gentle skincare helps maintain the skin’s protective function, improving comfort and helping reduce visible irritation.

Treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy can leave skin feeling tight, fragile or easily inflamed. Supporting the skin with simple, hydrating and fragrance-free products can help reduce discomfort and maintain moisture balance throughout treatment.

You may also find our guide on the skin barrier helpful for understanding how to care for compromised skin more effectively.

What skincare ingredients are best during cancer treatment?

The most suitable skincare ingredients during cancer treatment are those that help maintain hydration, calm visible irritation and reinforce compromised skin without overwhelming it. Fragrance-free, barrier-supportive formulations are often the gentlest option for sensitive or reactive skin.

Ingredients such as vitamin E help soothe and protect against environmental stress, while squalane helps replenish moisture and soften dry skin. Prebiotic inulin supports microbiome balance, helping skin feel calmer and more resilient over time.

When skin becomes more reactive during treatment, simpler formulations with carefully selected ingredients can often feel more comfortable than overly active or complex routines.

What products help sensitive skin during chemotherapy?

During chemotherapy, skincare should focus on reducing dryness, easing feelings of tightness and helping compromised skin feel more comfortable without overwhelming it.

Hero Facial Oil was the very first product Sarah developed to help soothe Lauren’s skin during her leukaemia recovery. Today, it remains our best-selling facial oil and supports thousands of people caring for sensitive, dry or treatment-compromised skin.

Formulated with cold-pressed sweet almond, apricot, pumpkin seed and argan oils, Hero Facial Oil is rich in essential fatty acids and antioxidants that help replenish moisture, support the skin barrier and improve long-term skin resilience.

“Following surgery and a difficult winter of recovery, my skin was crying out for intensive care. By Sarah’s Hero Facial Oil felt like sheer comfort from the very first use. My skin seemed to drink it in. Knowing the formulas are free from essential oils also gave me reassurance during treatment.”
— Caterina

 

“Really lovely oil. I use it morning and night. I recommended it to a woman looking for something to ease her skin during cancer treatment. She said her hands were particularly sore. The products are excellent for very sensitive skin. I’m now on about my third bottle.”
— Alice

Tender Skin Balm is designed to soothe very dry or irritated areas. Formulated with madecassoside from Centella Asiatica, it helps calm visible redness while supporting the skin’s natural repair process.

Ally Recovery Blemish Facial Oil is a gentle, balancing oil suitable for reactive or unpredictable skin. Hemp seed oil provides essential fatty acids to help replenish compromised skin, while jojoba helps maintain balance. 

Reviver Hydrating Mist delivers lightweight hydration throughout the day. With prebiotic inulin and L-arginine, it helps maintain moisture while supporting the skin microbiome and easing feelings of tightness.

Each product is fragrance-free and Dermatologically Approved for sensitive skin, carefully formulated to care for skin that feels fragile, reactive or overwhelmed during treatment.

Over the years, many people navigating chemotherapy, radiotherapy and recovery have shared their experiences with us, stories of sore, dry or unpredictable skin, and the relief of finally finding products gentle enough to trust.

Again and again, we hear how simple, consistent skincare rituals can help restore not only hydration and comfort, but also small moments of familiarity and feeling like yourself again during difficult days.

What is the best skincare routine during cancer treatment?

The best skincare routine during cancer treatment is usually one that feels simple, gentle and consistent. Focusing on hydration and barrier support can help reduce discomfort while allowing sensitive skin to feel calmer and more balanced.

A supportive routine can begin with a mild, non-stripping cleanse, followed by lightweight hydration to reduce tightness. A targeted balm can help comfort dry or irritated areas, while a small amount of facial oil can help seal in moisture and replenish the skin.

During the day, SPF can help protect sensitive skin from additional environmental stress. It is also helpful to avoid strong actives such as exfoliating acids or retinoids unless advised otherwise by your healthcare team.

Introducing products gradually and keeping routines simple often helps skin feel more manageable during treatment.

How does this support people beyond skincare?

Beyond skincare, we hope this offers people a sense of reassurance during a time when so much can feel unfamiliar. Skin changes during treatment can affect not only comfort, but also confidence, routine and the feeling of recognising yourself in the mirror.

Because By Sarah began with Lauren’s own cancer recovery experience, we understand how meaningful gentle daily rituals can become during difficult moments. Having our collection available through the Macmillan online store allows more people navigating treatment-related skin changes to discover skincare created with sensitivity, comfort and care in mind.

Sometimes, skincare is not simply about skin, it’s about finding small moments of care, familiarity and feeling like yourself again.

Quick Summary

• Cancer treatment can weaken the skin barrier, leading to dryness and sensitivity
• Gentle, fragrance-free skincare helps improve comfort and reduce irritation
• Our full skincare collection is now available on the Macmillan online store.
• Tender Skin Balm, Ally Recovery Blemish Facial Oil and Hero Facial Oil help replenish compromised skin
• A simple, consistent routine can help maintain skin comfort during treatment
• Always check with your specialist nurse when introducing new skincare products

FAQs

What skincare is safe during cancer treatment?

Gentle, fragrance-free skincare with minimal ingredients is generally most suitable. Products designed for sensitive skin can help reduce irritation and maintain hydration during treatment.

Can I use face oil during cancer treatment?

Yes, a gentle facial oil can help reduce moisture loss and support compromised skin. Choose fragrance-free formulations and introduce products gradually.

What ingredients should I avoid during treatment?

It’s best to avoid fragrance, essential oils, alcohol-based products and strong actives such as exfoliating acids or retinoids unless advised otherwise by your healthcare team.

Why does cancer treatment make skin more sensitive?

Treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy can weaken the skin barrier, making skin more reactive to environmental stress and skincare products.

Should I check with a nurse before using skincare?

Yes. Macmillan recommends checking with your specialist nurse before introducing skincare products, as individual needs can vary during treatment.

Explore more for your skin

• How to Treat Acne During Chemotherapy: Best Products and Ingredients
• Why Caroline Hirons Chose By Sarah’s Reviver Hydrating Mist
• How to care for skin during and after cancer

Support through treatment and beyond

We know that treatment can change not only how skin feels, but also how you feel within yourself. Over the years, many people in our community have shared their experiences with us — stories of sensitivity, recovery, uncertainty and finding comfort again through small daily rituals of care.

If you ever need guidance or simply want to talk through what your skin is going through, we’re always here to help. You can take our 3-minute Skin Quiz, contact us at care@bysarahlondon.com, or message us via @bysarahlondon.

--

Join our Newsletter to receive our latest news, arrivals and skincare tips. All content © By Sarah. All rights reserved.