Dry skin on the nose is a fairly common occurrence, particularly during colder months. Exposure to wind, sun, and other elements can even make matters worse if your skin is prone to dryness. 

If you’re struggling with dry skin on or around your nose, this article will show you the common causes and how to treat it. But most importantly, you’ll also learn how to stop the annoyance from reoccurring. 

What’s the Cause of Dry Skin Around the Nose?

Dry skin on the face can be embarrassing, primarily when it occurs around the nose area. This phenomenon is known as xerosis in medical terms and can be caused by any of the following:

Dehydration

It may not seem obvious, but when you don’t drink enough water, your skin will get dehydrated because there’s little moisture to keep it from drying out. A systematic review of studies conducted in 2018 indicates a significant improvement in skin dryness, especially in individuals who went from minimal to big water drinkers.

The Elements

Skin dryness can worsen if you don’t provide adequate protection or covering. Continuous exposure to the elements, such as harsh weather, cold and dry wind, and ultraviolet rays, can cause skin damage. While the head, eyes, and ears are often covered, your nose is usually left open, making it vulnerable to exposure. 

Long, Hot Showers

Long, hot showers can be satisfying, especially during the cold seasons. But this is not healthy for your skin, as it can leave it more dehydrated than before. Your nose area can start to get flaky with frequent hot water baths. Also, your already dry nose can become dryer if you wash your face too often. 

Skincare Products

Apart from excessive washing of your face, your skin can get excessively dry if you use skincare products with harsh ingredients.  Unfortunately, some people treat skin dryness with products that can worsen the situation. Make sure to understand the constituents of any product before you put your money on it and use it on your face.

Skin Type

Although anyone can have dry skin around their noses, it is common among people with dry skin types. However, even individuals with a combination of dry and oily skin can experience dryness around the nose in addition to psoriasis and other related skin problems.

Possible Treatments

Treating skin dryness around the nose is pretty straightforward. Here are some tips to help you get rid of the irritation. 

Use Moisturizers and Ointments 

Applying lotion to your face when you are struggling with dry skin around your nose won’t help matters. The best skincare solution for effectively combating dryness is to use moisturizers or ointments. These work whether you want to treat patches around the nose or any other part of the body. 

Dry skin-specific moisturizers trap moisture and nutrients in your skin to improve the texture. Make sure to use your preferred ointment or moisturizer when your skin is still damp for better results. This is usually immediately after washing your face.

Natural Remedies

If you prefer natural home remedies, you can choose to apply jojoba oil, olive oil, coconut oil, or shea butter to your face and dry nose during the colder months or when your skin gets very dry. These natural moisturizers can repair damages to the skin around your nose.

Minimize Exfoliation 

Exfoliation, in itself, is not a bad idea. However, scrubbing off dry and dead skin can cause further damage when you do it too often. It can also be damaging to your microbiome. 

It is a good practice to limit exfoliation to once weekly or every other week, especially if you have any kind of dry skin condition. Also, make sure to invest in the right type of exfoliant specially formulated for your skin type. Don’t forget to use products that protect your skin after every scrubbing session and help to restore your skin microbiome. 

When to Seek a Dermatologist’s Help

It might be necessary to see a dermatologist if you notice any of the following with your skin type:

• The condition persists or gets worse even with regular treatment with moisturizers
• The skin around your nose hurts when touched or feels overstretched 
• The texture or color of the nose or skin around it suddenly changes

Sometimes, changing your diet can help prevent dry flaky skin (as suggested below). However, you may want to consult your doctor if you choose to do so because some foods can worsen skin conditions. This is particularly true if you have seborrheic dermatitis or other similar conditions. 

How to Prevent Dry Skin on Your Nose

There are quite a number of ways to prevent dry skin on your nose and the skin around it. Some effective methods include the following. 

Cover Your Skin During Colder Months

Windburn can cause further skin damage by increasing dryness. The simple practice of covering your skin during winter and colder days will protect your face and other parts of your body from this unpleasant experience. 

Moisturize Regularly

Keeping your skin hydrated, even when you think it is not dry, is a crucial first step in preventing this annoying problem. 

The regular use of quality moisturizers is more important than the product’s formulation, according to a 2015 study. In other words, the best moisturizer will not be of much help if you don’t use it consistently. We recommend a deeply nourishing probiotic serum that’s good for all skin types. 

Avoid Harsh Soaps

Non-alcohol and fragrance-free soaps and cleansers are gentle on facial skin. Use these to wash your face daily. Consider washing only once if your skin is prone to dryness. Whatever you do, avoid products with harsh ingredients as these can wash off your skin’s natural oil. 

Take Short, Warm Showers

Long hot baths may not be skin-friendly, especially if you have dry skin, but warm showers are ideal. However, be sure to spend only short periods under the shower. Bathing for about five to ten minutes with warm water can add moisture to your skin, leaving it more supple and hydrated.

Eat Healthily

Improving your diet doesn’t only make you healthy; it can also enhance your skin's look and feel. Remember that you are not only focused on how to get rid of dry skin on your nose after a cold but how to improve your overall skin health. 

Therefore, consider improving your diet to include foods rich in vitamin E and C, omega 3 and 6, antioxidants, and beta carotene, among others. You can find a small list of foods for healthy skin here. 

Wear Sunscreen

Applying sunscreen can protect your skin from sun damage that can cause dryness and thin skin. Make sure to apply sunscreen with a higher SPF if you plan to spend most of your day outdoors or near reflective surfaces such as snow and water.

Use Room Humidifiers

In addition to spraying facial mist at regular intervals, room humidifiers can improve your living space and minimize skin dryness. Consider using one in your bedroom or other environments where you spend significant amounts of time. 

In Closing

While skin dryness can be bothersome and even embarrassing in some cases, it is not difficult to learn how to get rid of dry skin on your nose after a cold. Simply ensure that your skin stays hydrated at all times to keep it healthy. However, if upping your skincare regimen doesn’t seem to do the job within a few weeks, you should see a dermatologist.