Dry Skin Around The Nose: Why It Happens, 5 Common Cause & Skin Care Fixes

There are a few areas of skin that tend to get drier faster than others: knuckles, elbows, corners of the mouth, and—you guessed it—the nose. If you've ever been one to get little patches of red, flaky, inflamed skin around and under nostrils, you may find its trigger particularly perplexing.

You've thought you'd nailed it down to winter colds, but then you get a flare-up in the dead of summer; you think it's the new skin care product you've been testing, but then it continues on long after post use. 

A very common skin condition yet not well understood by the general public. "The most common cause of dryness around the nose is a condition called 'seborrheic dermatitis,' also known as dandruff on the face. Seborrheic dermatitis is not a fungal infection but is your body's inflammatory response to the presence of fungus that we all have on our scalp and face. While it usually appears as dry, red, scaly skin in the folds on the sides of the nose, it can also affect the eyebrows or any area of the face," says Ife J. Rodney, M.D., FAAD, founding director of Eternal Dermatology + Aesthetics. 

We all have a plethora of fungal and bacterial strains on us (called the microbiome), and this is actually what helps keep our skin strong, healthy, and barrier protected.

So often when we are looking for answers to skin woes, we overlook the obvious: the environment we live in. Immediately, we'll turn on our newest skin care product or bemoan changes in our diet. And while those can always be part of the problem, so are things like sun exposure, the weather, pollution, and the like. It makes sense, no? One of our skin's main functions is to protect us from what surrounds us, so those things will likely wreak havoc a time or two. 

"A common cause is environmental exposures," says board-certified dermatologist Raechele Cochran Gathers, M.D. "Environmental conditions like cold or dry air, cold wind, windburn, sunburn, or chronic sun exposure can all irritate the sensitive skin around the nose and cause dryness." 

This is why the condition tends to be more prominent in the colder months or for those who live in arid environments.  

OK, I know we just said it's not always your skin products' fault, but sometimes it is. "Skin care products can also cause dryness, peeling, and irritation around the nose," says Cochran Gathers. "For example, retinoids, whether used for acne or wrinkles, can irritate the sensitive skin around the nose. Similarly, other ingredients like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid (common in many OTC acne products) can irritate the area and cause dryness and peeling."

Now, this is more to do with behavioral habits than intrinsic triggers. When you have a cold or seasonal allergies, you're more likely to rub your nose, sneeze, and touch the area more. All of this may trigger irritation in the area. "Seasonal allergies can also cause dryness around the nose. If you're constantly rubbing and blowing your nose with tissues, you'll be more prone to dryness and peeling," says Cochran Gathers.

It almost seems counterintuitive for the nose to have this pesky problem. The nose, after all, is home to oil-producing pores; should it not be oiler? And for some it is, but for others, this actually causes the issue itself. "The dry and scaly skin around the nose is usually not due to a lack of oil production in that area," says Rodney. "Instead, the trigger of the scaling is skin irritation and inflammation. One possibility is that there are more fungal organisms and mites within these pores, which trigger inflammatory conditions seborrheic dermatitis and rosacea."

And as Cochran Gathers notes, it's also more exposed, or at least was pre-COVID: "The nose is a common area for dry, irritated skin because it's almost always exposed to the elements. It sticks out from the face, making it a high-exposure area." 

"For dry skin around the nose, prevention is easier than cure. Best skin care practices, like using a gentle creamy cleanser and moisturizing consistently, should be done every day, and not only when the dry skin appears," reminds Rodney. After all, those with acne need to be diligent about acne care year-round, not just during breakouts. 

Cochran Gathers agrees, advising a simple, gentle skin care routine stripped of irritating ingredients so as not to trigger inflammation or irritation. "When cleansing the skin, try to avoid harsh cleansers and soaps. Looks for gentle, hypoallergenic face washes," she says. "After washing, pat your skin dry, leaving it a little damp, and apply a rich moisturizer. Moisture is key to fixing dry skin around the nose. Look for a moisturizing cream with ceramides to protect your skin's moisture barrier and hyaluronic acid to help your skin retain moisture. Wearing a good sunscreen is key to helping prevent dry skin around the nose."

And while you're washing, be mindful of the water temperature: "Avoid washing or rinsing your skin with hot water, as this can make dryness worse. Wash with tepid water instead," says Cochran Gathers. Too hot of water, we know, can strip the skin of its natural lipids, compromising the skin barrier and adding to dryness.