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No matter how much I moisturize my face in the winter, there’s always one stubborn spot that refuses to cooperate: the dry skin around my nose. Sure, a little flaking and peeling are par for the course when it’s freezing outside, but this particular area has a way of staying extra rough, cracked, and tricky to soothe.
That’s because the skin in those creases is thinner than the rest of your face, which means it’s already super vulnerable to losing moisture compared to, say, your chin or forehead, Jenny Liu, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and assistant professor of dermatology at the University of Minnesota, tells SELF. Add dry air, harsh winds, and a few other possible triggers into the mix, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for a seriously irritated nose.
The good news, though, is you’re not doomed to put up with itchy, crusty bits forever. In some cases, the right beauty swaps and lifestyle tweaks can make all the difference in finally seeing some improvement. But first, it’s helpful to know what, exactly, is triggering these flare-ups. Below, dermatologists break down the most common causes of dry skin around your nose—plus a few strategies to soothe it, stat.
Why do the corners of my nose get so flaky?
When the air gets drier, it’s normal for your skin to follow suit and lose moisture too, Yolanda Lenzy, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Springfield, Massachusetts, tells SELF. Maybe your nose gets parched in the dead of freezing, windy winter or in the thick of summer’s arid heat—or you deal all year round thanks to a desert-like climate. Either way, you can’t exactly call up Mother Nature or move to a more humid country just to appease your nostrils. But once you’re aware when you’re vulnerable, you can at least double down on hydration when you need it most. More on that later.
Beyond just weather and low humidity, some of your seasonal habits might be to blame—namely, rubbing or blowing your runny, snotty nose during allergy season or when you're battling a cold or the flu.
According to Dr. Liu, the constant friction of tissues (or your hands) against the sensitive skin around your nostrils can weaken its protective moisture barrier—the very thing that keeps your skin soft, hydrated, and shielded from irritants like harmful bacteria, chemicals, and allergens. So it makes sense that this area may become raw, tight, and slightly inflamed the more you aggressively wipe.
Speaking of a damaged barrier, too much TLC can also make it harder for your skin to hold onto hydration. Most commonly, this can happen when you go ham on the strong actives, like retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and salicylic acid. Don’t get us wrong: They’re amazing at targeting specific skin concerns like acne, fine lines, and dark spots. But overusing them can strip away your skin's natural moisturizing oils, Dr. Lenzy explains. So for parts of your face that are already parched, both derms suggest skipping retinol, acne-fighters, and exfoliants.
It’s not just powerful actives that can wreak havoc: Even over-cleansing can backfire, since washing your face too often (as in, more than twice a day) can similarly remove the very oils responsible for hydrating your skin.
The name may sound intimidating, but you’re probably familiar with a milder, more common form of this skin condition: dandruff. Unlike more generalized eczema (a.k.a. atopic dermatitis, which would cause dryness and itchiness all over your body and face), seborrheic dermatitis leads to flaky skin in areas packed with oil-producing sebaceous glands, like your scalp, eyebrows, and—you guessed it—nose. That’s because “the condition is your body’s inflammatory response to a buildup of yeast that feeds on oils,” Dr. Lenzy explains.
Another giveaway that you’re stuck with seborrheic dermatitis (versus run-of-the-mill dehydration)? Your usual moisturizers won’t help. In fact, they might actually make things worse, Dr. Liu says, by giving the yeast even more moisture and oil to feed on. (If this condition is truly what you’re dealing with, you’d need anti-fungal treatments…which brings us to the next section).
How to treat—and prevent—a peeling, flaking nose
What works for you depends on what, exactly, is triggering your symptoms—and a dermatologist is your best bet for providing that answer. These experts can confirm if something like seborrheic dermatitis or eczema is behind your annoying situation (in which case, they’d likely give you prescription-strength topicals or oral medications.)
But assuming you’re simply a victim of regular ol’ (but still frustrating) dryness—consider giving these nourishing home remedies and prevention tips a try.
When your go-to lotion falls short, it might be time to bring in something stronger. That’s where thick ointments like petrolatum jelly (the main ingredient in Vaseline) and shea butter come into play. Unlike gel- or water-based options, occlusives (as they’re more formally known) don’t immediately absorb into the skin, only to evaporate seconds later. Instead, they sit on top, forming a barrier that traps existing moisture.
That said, Dr. Liu recommends a layered approach, since these heavy hitters alone can’t bring water into the skin. For that you’d need a lightweight humectant like glycerin and hyaluronic acid, followed up with an emollient (think ceramides and mineral oils) that fills in the cracks between your skin cells for a softening, smoothening effect. Finally, you can seal in all that goodness with an occlusive of your choice (see some derm-approved options below). This three-step combo should keep your nose corners hydrated and ensure all your efforts don’t just disappear into thin air.
Those crusty bits can be oh-so-satisfying to pick or rip off, but trust us: Don’t! “Forcibly sloughing it off can damage your skin and lead to pigment problems, like a lingering dark spot,” Dr. Lenzy says (and the last thing you want is to swap one issue for another). To avoid making things worse, get your fingers off your scaly nose, perhaps by keeping your hands busy (with a fidget spinner, say, or your sweater’s fuzzy fabric). Steering clear of mirrors (which will only remind you of that annoying dry patch) is another solid start to breaking a stubborn skin-picking habit.
No matter how chilly it gets, the sun’s powerful UV rays are strong enough to burn and suck the hydration out of any exposed skin. If you want your moisturizing efforts to actually last (and not immediately evaporate), Dr. Lenzy says you’ve got to make SPF 30, minimum, a must in your daily routine.
Pro tip: Go for moisturizing (not mattifying) sunscreens packed with those hydrating heroes we talked about—as well as other goodies like glycerin and niacinamide. That way, your UV armor works double-duty to keep moisture in and dehydrating sun damage out. (Because what’s worse than a dry nose? A burnt one.)
It’s important to have moisture not only in your skin care products, but also the air surrounding you. Of course, you can’t magically control the weather if you live somewhere with a desert-like climate—which is why a good humidifier may be the simple yet effective savior you need. These handy devices ensure your skin (and sinuses) stay hydrated and happy by pumping vaporized water throughout any given space.
Prevention is just as important as treatment. So other easy (and less costly) swaps to make include avoiding scalding hot showers (which can worsen dryness) in favor of lukewarm ones—or at least limiting the steamy sessions to a few minutes max if you thrive in a liquid inferno. Or for those constantly battling a runny, itchy, booger-filled nose, Dr. Liu suggests going for a gentle nasal spray instead—a solid option that’ll ease your sniffly misery and skin irritation.
You can also consider cleansing your face less often. Practices like double-cleansing (or washing twice with different facial cleansers) remove more than just makeup and dirt: They can also strip away your natural oils if you overdo it. To avoid that risk, rinse with just water in the morning—it’ll give you a gentle, effective clean and is less likely to break down moisturizing oils—and save the double cleanse for nighttime.
These tweaks might seem too small to make a real difference, but in Dr. Lenzy’s experience, your efforts should add up over time. Stick with them for a week or two, and hopefully you’ll notice some relief—and less of that irresistible urge to pick, peel, and scratch those crusty pieces around your nostrils.
Related:
- Here’s Exactly How to Treat Dry Eyelids, According to Dermatologists
- Can My Dry Lips Actually Become ‘Addicted’ to Lip Balm?
- 5 Eczema Treatments That Will Calm Your Angry, Itchy Skin
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