Ingredients and Treatments to Avoid for Sensitive Skin | Oncology Skincare Part 4

When your skin is super dry, and you feel like you’ve aged 10 years overnight because of cancer treatments or autoimmune flares, it’s tempting to want to “fix” it with brightening peels or strong actives. But here’s the truth: this is not the time for tough love. Fragile skin needs gentleness — not scrubbing, stripping, or stimulating.

Let’s walk through what to avoid for now, so your skin can feel safe and supported while your body does its deeper healing work.

Ingredients to Press Pause On

Fragrance & lots of essential oils

• Even natural scents (lavender, peppermint, citrus) can sting, burn, or trigger allergic reactions when the skin barrier is thin.

Strong acids

• High-strength glycolic, salicylic, or lactic acids can over-exfoliate fragile skin, leaving it raw and more prone to infection.

Harsh scrubs

• Gritty exfoliants can cause microtears, worsen dryness, and make irritation spiral. So, skip the apricot scrubby stuff, mm’k?

Stimulating botanicals

• Ingredients like menthol, cinnamon, clove, or strong mints feel “active,” but on compromised skin, they’re just irritating.

💡 Remember: most skincare ingredients are GRAS (generally recognized as safe), but when the skin barrier is compromised, even gentle things can backfire. What’s “safe” for healthy skin isn’t always safe for healing skin.

A Note About Preservatives

Sometimes clients ask, “Should I avoid preservatives altogether?” And the answer is: absolutely not.

Preservatives are essential — they keep your skincare products safe from bacteria, mold, and contamination. Without them, you’d be putting something potentially harmful onto already vulnerable skin.

That said, newer research is taking a closer look at parabens, especially when multiple types are combined in a single formula. While most parabens are still considered safe in small amounts, we prefer a cautious approach for fragile or health-challenged skin. That means choosing products with modern, barrier-friendly preservatives instead of heavy paraben blends.

It’s not about fear — it’s about being thoughtful. Preservatives are necessary; we just want them to be as safe and gentle as possible.

Treatments to Avoid (For Now)

Even professional spa treatments that are normally fabulous need to wait until skin is stronger:

• Dermaplaning – scraping fragile skin can lead to micro-injuries.
• Microdermabrasion – too abrasive and drying for a compromised barrier.
• Chemical peels – acids are too stimulating and can cause lasting irritation.
• Microneedling – skin under immune stress doesn’t heal efficiently, making this dangerous
• Aggressive “brightening” treatments – anything that relies on exfoliation is a no-go.

Why Avoidance Matters

Fragile skin isn’t weak — it’s just working overtime while your body heals. Harsh actives or procedures pile on extra stress, and instead of helping, they slow down recovery. Think of it like running a marathon while trying to do a HIIT workout at the same time. Not helpful.

The Takeaway

If you’re in active treatment or navigating autoimmune flares, skip the harsh actives and intense treatments. There will be a time to revisit exfoliation, brightening, and advanced procedures — but not now.

Right now, your skin deserves comfort, hydration, and barrier repair. And yes, safe preservatives too — because keeping your skincare fresh and stable is part of keeping you safe.

Your oncology trained estheticians at Viriditas can help you put together a safe, nourishing routine for your skin. Call us at 401-632-4444 or book online!