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 specific 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 drier than the other areas of your face, especially during the winter. 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 to learn more.

What Causes Dry Skin Around Your Nose?

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. 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: sun exposure. If your nose is exposed to harmful UV or UVB rays, it can cause skin to burn and, consequently, flake and peel. A sunburn on your nose may also 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 precancerous. 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 deeper than just a cold or the weather. 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 constantly forming in the same area.

How to Prevent Dry Skin Around Your Nose

Tip #1: Wear Protective Clothing

If you’re in extremely cold temperatures or exposed to the sun, be sure to wear clothing that can 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 your face) is protected. 

Tip #2: Moisturize

Proper 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 like to layer a serum with a cream moisturizer and follow up with a face oil to lock in the hydration. We like the Garnier SkinActive 24H Moisture Cream with Rose Water for morning and Kiehl’s Pure Vitality Skin Renewing Cream at night.

Tip #3: Wear Sunscreen

Sunscreen application is required year-round. Just because the sun may not be as present or as strong in the winter, 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 check two boxes at once, try a moisturizer formulated with SPF like the CoTZ Skincare Face Moisturizer SPF 35. 

How to Get Rid of Dry Skin Around Your Nose

Step #1: Exfoliate

Those dry flakes you’re seeing on your skin are actually dead skin cells. Aside from being unsightly to look at (and challenging for makeup application), the build-up of these dead cells on the skin’s surface can clog your pores and prompt a breakout. To help get rid of it and avoid the risk of blemishes forming, exfoliating the skin regularly is key. We like the Lancôme Exfoliating Rose Sugar Scrub to get the job done.  

Step #2: 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. One of our favorites is the L’Oréal Paris Derm Intensives 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum.

Read More:

The Dos and Don'ts of Winter Beauty

5 Non-Comedogenic Moisturizers You Need for Dry Skin This Winter

5 Hand Masks to Save You From Dry Skin This Season