Skin care during chemo treatments can be tough.  I noticed my skin would feel dry and itchy, my lips would crack and bleed, and my scalp would be blotchy and irritated — these were things that I didn’t experience prior to my treatments.  It was difficult finding the right products for such a unique experience and I wanted to be sure they were safe to use during this time and not cause additional side effects. Of all the products I’ve tried, these are my faves:  

Dove DermaSeries Dry Skin Relief Gentle Cleansing Body Wash. (Walgreens, $12.99) Unlike other gentle cleansing body washes I tried, this one actually suds up and doesn’t leave my skin feeling like I just washed myself with lotion.  There’s no weird smell and it leaves my skin feeling soft. I used a washcloth and few pumps does the trick!

JASON Normalizing Tea Tree Treatment Shampoo.  (Amazon, $12) When I shaved my head, I noticed my scalp would itch and flake.  I tried my everyday gentle shampoo and even a dandruff shampoo but both left my scalp feeling more irritated.  I tried this JASON shampoo and the tea tree oil felt like it was soothing my scalp instantly. I like that you can use it daily, it contains organic/natural ingredients, and has antibacterial properties.

Pearlessence Coconut Rose Hydrating Face Mist.  (TJ Maxx, $7.99) Can I just say I love that I found this at my local TJ Maxx!? I thirst for face mists but they usually run for $15-$20.. Finding this at TJ’s for $7.99… score!  I was bit hesitant at first about this scent since i’m not too fond of rose-scented products, but this one has the right balance with coconut. During my treatments, my face felt warm and bloated most days, having this to mist on my face really helped me cool down a bit.  

CeraVe Moisturizing Cream.  (Target, $11.99) CeraVe is one of my all time favorite brands for moisturizers and lotions.  It absorbs quickly, leaving my skin moisturized without that gross greasy feeling. The formula is just the right consistency to massage into the skin and this one comes with a pump.  Of course, towards the end, you’ll need to open the jar for the remaining product, but I don’t mind. Having the pump is so convenient and sanitary.

Bag Balm.  (Target, $8.49)  I heard about Bag Balm years ago but never got around to trying it.  My co-workers put together a gift basket for me and I was so excited that this was in it!  This product did not disappoint. I suffered through extremely chapped lips during my treatments, no matter how much water I drank or what lip balms I used, nothing would keep my lips moisturized throughout the day.  This baby worked it’s magic! I slather this on before bed and wake up with softer lips — I periodically use it during the day too.