This Is Why You Get Dry Skin Around Your Nose

 Dry skin doesn’t stick to just one area of your body. It can arise in patches and pop up in very specified areas. One such area is around your nose. As random as it may seem, there are quite a few reasons why the skin around your nose becomes comparatively dryer than the other areas of your face. To get to the bottom of what causes dry skin around the nose, we tapped board-certified dermatologist, and Skincare.com consultant, Dr. Elizabeth Houshmand (@houshmandmd).

WHAT CAUSES DRY SKIN AROUND YOUR NOSE?

There’s more than one reason as to why the skin around your nose may be dry.

Cause #1: Environmental Factors

When temperatures drop, it can cause the area around your nose to dry up even if the rest of your skin remains supple and flake-free. According to Dr. Houshmand, “The outside skin of the nose can be dry and peeling even though the rest of skin is hydrated due to exposure to the environment.”   

Another big factor which can dry out the skin around your nose is sun exposure. If your nose is exposed to harmful UV or UVB rays, it can cause skin to burn and, consequently, flake and peel. However, a sunburn on your nose may lead to more concerning factors than just dry skin. “Actinic photodamage can cause damage to your skin cells over time,” explains Dr. Houshmand, “and can present as dry flaking spots on the nose that won’t go away.” These spots run the risk of becoming pre-cancerous. Should you see any irregular patches on your skin, either on your nose or on any other part of your body, consult a medical professional.

Cause #2: Allergies or Colds

Allergies and colds can strike at any moment, during any time of the year. This often leads to blowing the nose with tissues. If this happens frequently enough, it could irritate the skin around your nose. “Constant tissue-use and nose-blowing can irritate the skin on the nose, and [may] cause peeling of the sensitive skin,” Dr. Houshmand says.  

Cause #3: Underlying Medical Conditions

The reason the skin around your nose may be drying out can be, well, more than skin-deep. Rosacea and seborrheic dermatitis—both forms of skin inflammation—are skin conditions that are associated with dried-out skin. Another reason could be eczema, whose most prominent symptom is patches of dry skin consistently forming in the same area.

HOW TO PREVENT DRY SKIN AROUND YOUR NOSE

Luckily, dry skin around your nose can be prevented. Here’s how.

Wear Protective Clothing

If you’re in extremely cold temperatures or exposed to the sun, be sure to wear clothing that can aptly protect the skin around your nose. Dr. Houshmand suggests a scarf for colder outdoor temperatures, complemented with a humidifier for indoors. For warmer climates, treat yourself to a sun hat or vizor to make sure your nose (as well as the rest of the skin on your face) is protected. 

Moisturize

Proper moisturization (and hydration) reigns supreme in any anti-dryness routine. To help prevent your skin from drying out, be sure to incorporate moisturization into your daily skin care routine. We share and review seven of the best facial creams and moisturizers from the L’Oréal portfolio of brands to help get you started, here!

Wear Sunscreen

Sunscreen application is required all-year around–no ifs, ands, or buts about it. Just because the sun may not be as present or as strong doesn’t mean its harmful rays aren’t able to negatively affect your skin. Make sure you’re applying broad-spectrum sunscreen every day: rain or shine, cold or hot. To kill two birds with one stone, check out a few of our favorite moisturizers formulated with SPF, here!

HOW TO GET RID OF DRY SKIN AROUND YOUR NOSE

Dry skin around your nose doesn’t have to be forever. Here’s how you can address dry skin in that area, should you already have it.

Exfoliate

Those dry flakes you’re seeing on your skin are actually dead skin cells. Aside from being unseemly to look at (and creating a challenge in makeup application), the build-up of these dead skin cells on skin’s surface can clog your pores and prompt a breakout. To help get rid of dead skin buildup on skin’s surface and avoid the risk of blemishes forming, exfoliate your skin regularly.

Look for Helpful Ingredients

There are plenty of products formulated with ingredients that can specifically address dry skin around your nose. Ceramides, for example, help to protect your skin’s natural moisture barrier whereas hyaluronic acid can add to the skin’s moisture by holding 1,000 times its weight in water.