How to Restore Dry Skin Around the Nose in Winter: 10 Effective Dermatologist-Recommended Methods

No matter how much we enjoy snowy days and the chance to get cozy on the couch with a favorite book, winter almost always brings along some less pleasant consequences. One of the most common is dry skin around the nose.

At first, it may seem like a minor issue: blowing your nose a few times a day—what’s the problem? But very quickly, the skin in this area begins to flake, tightness appears, redness develops, and sensitivity increases. Sometimes even touching the area becomes painful, and makeup only highlights the imperfections. Sound familiar?

And while dry skin isn’t the most serious problem in the world, when it comes to appearance, comfort, and self-confidence, it plays a far more important role than it might seem at first glance.

So, without further ado, here are dermatologists’ recommendations for what really helps when the skin around your nose becomes dry, irritated, and vulnerable.

The colder it gets outside, the higher we usually set the thermostat at home. Together, these two extreme climate factors create a real “trap” for the skin. The result is familiar to everyone: dryness and irritation around the nose.
 To deal with this, dermatologists recommend using soothing creams. They are specifically formulated for sensitive skin, free of fragrances, and help reduce redness and discomfort. Such products strengthen the skin’s natural barrier and increase its resilience to external irritants.

When the skin becomes irritated or extremely dry, it’s important to temporarily stop using harsh active ingredients so as not to worsen its condition. If you use retinoids, it makes sense to take a break for a few days—until the skin recovers.

Retinoids aren’t the only ingredients that require caution. It’s also worth reducing the use of salicylic acid: although effective for oily and problematic skin, during dry or cold weather it can increase tightness and lead to even greater dehydration.

3. Choose Moisturizers with Effective Ingredients

High-quality moisturizers are your first line of defense against dry skin, so it’s important to understand what makes them truly effective. Ingredients such as ceramides and petrolatum are especially beneficial. Ceramides are natural lipids that help restore the skin’s protective barrier, while petrolatum acts as an occlusive, locking in moisture.

Pay attention to products containing glycerin and hyaluronic acid, which provide deep hydration. It’s better to choose creams over lotions: creams are thicker and more effective at quickly restoring dry skin around the nose. Apply them to slightly damp skin to maximize the moisturizing effect.

4. Don’t overdo hydration, cleansing, or exfoliation

In addition to choosing the right skincare products, it’s equally important to know what to avoid. In the world of skincare, “too much” can be just as harmful as “too little.”
For example, excessive exfoliation in an attempt to get rid of flakes can actually irritate your skin. If you notice that your skin isn’t recovering properly, try reducing the frequency of peels and give it time to heal.
But the advice doesn’t stop there. Over-hydration can also be damaging. Even though it may be tempting to apply a thick layer of cream to dry areas around your nose, it’s better to stick to a thin layer. Too much moisture can lead to breakouts, irritation, and increased redness.
The takeaway is simple: when it comes to skincare, sometimes the rule “less is more” really applies.

5. Use a Restorative Cream

Like soothing products, creams designed to restore and strengthen the skin barrier can work wonders on dry skin around the nose. When the barrier is damaged, bacteria can more easily penetrate the skin, causing irritation and discomfort. That’s why it’s especially important to care for this area gently. Dermatologists recommend washing your face with cool water, avoiding harsh cleansers, and applying a restorative cream immediately afterward — this helps hydrate and calm the skin.

The main defense against flaking on the nose is a high-quality moisturizing cream. It restores the skin’s water balance, relieves itching and discomfort associated with dryness, and soothes and protects dry, red, or damaged skin, providing the essential care it needs.

Occlusive products, such as Aquaphor and Vaseline, mainly consist of petrolatum (a mixture of mineral oils and waxes), lanolin (a fatty emollient derived from sheep’s wool), and glycerin (a gentle moisturizer that draws moisture from the air into the skin). These ingredients work together: they slow down water evaporation from the skin, create a protective barrier, and prevent moisture loss, while also shielding the skin from external irritants.

Using Aquaphor promotes the natural restoration of the skin, bringing back smoothness and a healthy, well-cared-for appearance. Due to its thick texture, it is recommended to apply a thin layer to problem areas as the final step in your skincare routine—on top of your moisturizer.

When it comes to skin health, nutrition plays a key role. Dermatologists recommend including foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids in your diet, such as mackerel and salmon. Foods high in antioxidants—like green tea, dark chocolate, and turmeric—are also beneficial. These foods help keep the skin hydrated for longer and prevent dryness.

Another effective way to combat dryness around the nose is to ensure adequate moisture not only through skincare products but also in the surrounding air. Using a humidifier is an excellent solution.
 A humidifier helps the skin retain moisture, preventing excessive dryness and cracking. It is especially useful during the winter or in regions with dry climates and low humidity. Even if the exact cause of flaking and dry skin is unknown, a humidifier effectively helps maintain skin hydration during sleep. 

There’s no need to rush to the store at the first signs of dryness around the nose — often, effective remedies are already at hand. For extra care during the winter, you can use homemade treatments: apply unrefined coconut or olive oil, shea butter, or jojoba oil to the skin around your nose. These natural remedies hydrate the skin, help reduce flaking, and speed up the recovery of dry skin.

Coconut oil (or lauric acid) is extracted from the coconut flesh and is known for its beneficial properties for the skin. Lauric acid has antimicrobial effects: it helps eliminate bacteria and reduces inflammation. Additionally, coconut oil gently cleanses the skin of makeup, provides mild exfoliation, and effectively retains moisture, leaving the skin soft and hydrated.

Do not underestimate the power of a gentle cleanser. Even if it produces little to no foam, it effectively removes impurities without drying out the skin, maintaining its natural moisture level. It is especially important to avoid harsh ingredients such as alcohol, AHA and BHA acids, or retinol, which can irritate the skin. Over-washing can also cause dryness, particularly around the nose, so it is recommended to use a gentle cleanser no more than twice a day. 

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Although these recommendations help many people, they do not guarantee effectiveness for every skin type. Therefore, if dryness around the nose persists, specialists advise consulting a certified dermatologist to rule out other skin conditions that may worsen the problem.

For example, seborrheic dermatitis manifests as dryness, flaking, and redness around the nose and usually requires treatment with topical antifungal agents. Photoaging can cause roughness and dryness, in which case additional procedures such as laser resurfacing or cryotherapy may be needed. Rosacea presents with redness, dryness, and changes in skin texture in this area.

By ruling out these possible causes—each of which requires an individualized treatment approach—you can more effectively combat dryness around the nose.