Snow Globe Skin & the Great Moisture Hunt

Snow Globe Skin & the Great Moisture Hunt

🌼 Date: Saturday, March 7 & Sunday, March 8, 2026

⚡ Energy: Slightly crusty, slightly brilliant

💓 Status: Flaky but functioning

🧐 Outlook: Moisture is out there somewhere… and I will find it

This weekend we’re talking about something no one warns you about with chemo… and that is what it does to your skin.

I was ready for the big stuff.
Hair loss? Knew it was coming.
Nausea? Yep.
Fatigue? Obviously.
Being either freezing or sweating like I’m in menopause during a desert heat wave? Check.
Neuropathy? Mouth sores? Metallic taste? Chemo brain?

All on the list.

But the one thing nobody talks about is what happens to your skin.

Here’s the science part, because apparently, I’m becoming a part-time dermatologist during this journey. Chemo attacks rapidly dividing cells — which is great when those cells are cancer, but unfortunately it also hits healthy skin cells living in the deeper layers. That means:

• Your skin can’t retain moisture like it normally does
• Sweat glands slow down (which help hydrate skin naturally)
• The outer skin barrier gets compromised
• And if you’re dehydrated from nausea? That makes it even worse

So basically, my skin is out here fighting for its life.

And let me tell you… the farther I get into chemo, the drier and flakier everything has become.

Arms.
Legs.
Chest.
Abdomen.
Face.
Even my earlobes.

Friends… when I take off my compression tank top at night it looks like someone shook a snow globe over my head. ❄️

It’s a full-body exfoliation event whether I want it or not.

Naturally, I went into full Tina problem-solving mode.

First stop: exfoliation.

My ride-or-die face scrub since the 1990s — St. Ives Apricot Scrub (yes, I’m still loyal). I even tried using it on my body.

Still snowing.

Then I upgraded to an exfoliating body sponge and scrubbed like I was sanding down a deck.

Still snowing.

Then after drying off with my nice fluffy towel, I grabbed a coarser hand towel and exfoliated again outside the shower.

Still shedding skin like a snake going through a personal growth phase.

Which leads me to a very important question…

At what point does the human body actually run out of skin to shed?

Is there a limit?

Is there a “Congratulations, you’ve exfoliated enough” notification I should be waiting for?

Because if this keeps up much longer, I’m going to start looking like that anatomy poster hanging in every doctor’s office… you know the one… the man with no skin where you can see all the muscles and ligaments.

And while yes — pink is my favorite color…

I’m not entirely convinced I could pull off that look. 😆

Now let’s talk lotions.

My longtime favorite: Australian Gold Moisture Lock Tan Extender Lotion. Been using it for years. Love it.

Not cutting it anymore.

Next up: Alba Botanica Coconut Rescue.

Nope.

Then I ordered Native Body Lotion. That one worked for a while… until it didn’t.

So, then I did what every chemo patient eventually does…

I went down the internet research rabbit hole.

Turns out most lotions sit on the surface of your skin. They make things feel temporarily better but don’t penetrate deep enough to actually repair what chemo is doing.

And if the lotion has alcohol in it? It can actually dry your skin out more.

Awesome.

So now I have entered the world of skin oils.

I tried a Honeysuckle Multi-Use Face, Body & Hair Oil — but the scent was so strong it felt like I was marinating in a Victorian perfume shop. So that one has officially been reassigned as cuticle oil.

Still searching for the perfect body oil.

Now let’s talk about my face, because that’s been its own adventure.

I used Burt’s Bees for years to remove makeup and wash my face. But lately my skin felt tight and dry, like it was two minutes away from filing a complaint with HR.

So, I started experimenting.

Right now, my routine includes:

• A silky face wash that feels amazing
• A Hyaluronic Acid moisturizer with Vitamin E
• And my new favorite discovery…

Manuka Honey face wash and face oil.

I was skeptical about putting oil on my face because I pictured myself walking around looking like a buttered ham.

But surprisingly? It soaks right in.

And after I use it, my skin feels so soft that I keep petting my own face without realizing it.

Like a cat.
Just casually stroking my own cheeks.

Totally normal behavior.

I’ve always loved Manuka honey because of its healing properties. I actually used it years ago when I was first diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis, and I still keep some in the cupboard for tea when I’m sick and little boo-boos.

But then today… my chemo brain had an epiphany.

And tomorrow we’re going to see if that little lightbulb moment turns into a brilliant idea… or just another chapter in the ongoing saga of “Things Tina Tried in the Bathroom Lab.”

Stay tuned.

And in the meantime, if you see me shedding flakes around

like a walking human croissant, just know I’m doing my best.

💗 Tina –
One Badass Day at a Time