Dry skin around the nose: causes and effective remedies

With the change of season come the first colds, not to mention allergies. And the skin around the nose first becomes red, then dry and rough from constantly using tissues. But what if you had dry skin around the nose without a cold?

Flaking in this area is often caused by environmental and physiological factors - such as a compromised skin barrier - or by incorrect cosmetic habits, such as excessive exfoliation.

When the area around the nostrils feels tight, cracks and flakes even without a cold, the skin is very often signaling a weakened barrier. It is a small but delicate area, exposed to wind, cold, temperature changes and everyday actions that we repeat without thinking.

Article written by Elisa Avalle, founder of LeLang Skin Care and dermocosmetics specialist. Cover image generated with the support of artificial intelligence.

[INDICE:h2]

Why the skin gets dry around the nose

The primary cause is an altered skin barrier. The hydrolipidic film limits water loss and protects against external agents: when its balance is weakened, the epidermis becomes more fragile and prone to cracking.

The most common factor is still the climate: cold, wind, temperature changes and air conditioning. All of this promotes skin dehydration.

The situation is worsened by friction, which is often underestimated: rubbing your nose with tissues, drying your face too vigorously or using physical scrubs. These habits aggravate an area that is already sensitized. The skin around the nose does not need to be stripped, but treated gently.

Finally, there are cases in which localized dryness is linked to specific inflammatory conditions: perioral dermatitis, which affects the area around the mouth and nose; atopic dermatitis; or seborrheic dermatitis, which appears on the sides of the nose precisely as redness and flaking. These dermatological conditions require a medical diagnosis.

How to tell if the skin around your nose is dry

For some people, it appears as mild flaking accompanied by a feeling of tightness; for others, as persistent redness, with dry flakes or stinging when applying cosmetics.

• If the area improves within a few days with a gentler routine, the problem is probably caused by environmental factors or cleansing that is too harsh.
• If the redness persists, stinging, papules or recurring flaking appear, it is advisable to consult a specialist: some forms of facial dermatitis resemble simple dry skin but require an accurate assessment.

A useful sign: notice whether the feeling of tightness increases after washing. This often indicates an already compromised barrier. In that case, the best strategy is not to add more products, but to reduce friction and focus on an essential skincare routine.

Makeup can also be an indicator: foundation and concealer tend to settle into dry flakes and emphasize flaky areas.

Effective remedies

The first thing to do is to stop being harsh on the area. The situation often worsens precisely because cleansing continues to be too frequent, rubbing continues or overly active formulas are used. On irritated skin, the priority is not exfoliation, but restoring comfort and protection.

1. Skin-friendly cleansing

A cleanser that is too stripping leaves an immediate feeling of cleanliness, but increases dryness and fragility. Cleansing Gentle Oil cleanses by affinity, dissolving impurities and makeup residue without being harsh on the skin microbiome.

2. A soothing step immediately afterward

Thermal water sprays refresh the area and provide immediate relief. They are especially useful during periods of dry weather or frequent rubbing.

Acqua Termale Pro Age is enriched with hyaluronic acid and Kudzu, for an antioxidant and soothing effect.

Multi Vit, on the other hand, provides vitamins and minerals with an immediate refreshing effect.

3. Hydration that protects

Finally, you need a lightweight, soothing cream that reduces the feeling of tightness and limits water loss.

Nutralight Sensitive combines a complex of organic calendula, mallow and marshmallow with thermal water from the Piedmont mountains, along with carrot oil, turmeric, bisabolol and niacinamide.

In conclusion

There can be many triggers, but they have one thing in common: they compromise the skin barrier or act on an already fragile barrier. For this very reason, the most effective remedies are not the harshest, but the gentlest.

When the skin is dry and sensitive, consistency matters far more than excess. If sensitivity affects your entire face, you will find more comprehensive guidance in the guide to what sensitive skin is.

You can also find LeLang products at partner pharmacies throughout Italy.