Fast answer
Perioral dermatitis can appear around the sides of the nose and in the folds beside the nostrils, sometimes alongside a rash around the mouth or chin. Gentle care usually means reducing unnecessary irritation, keeping skincare simple and avoiding repeated rubbing or product changes around the affected area.
Treatment depends on the individual situation. Some cases may require prescribed treatment, while skincare mainly has a supportive role. Our perioral dermatitis treatment guide explains the wider treatment options and important considerations around facial steroid use.
The nose can also be exposed to frequent wiping, cosmetics, skincare and touching throughout the day. Paying attention to these everyday sources of contact may help make the area easier to manage.
If you are unsure whether the rash is perioral dermatitis or another facial skin condition, our Perioral Dermatitis Hub covers typical symptoms, appearance and possible triggers in more detail.
What you'll learn
In this guide, we will look at:
- How perioral dermatitis can affect the nose area
- Why the location can make irritation harder to avoid
- Which everyday habits may aggravate sensitive skin
- How to cleanse around the nose more gently
- Why trying to dry out the rash may backfire
- How to keep skincare simple around the nostrils
- Where supportive skincare may fit
- When symptoms around the nose need professional assessment
Why the nose can be a difficult area to leave alone
The skin beside the nostrils is easy to disturb without noticing. Blowing your nose, wiping the area, touching your face and removing makeup can all create repeated contact in a relatively small space.
That does not mean these habits cause perioral dermatitis. They can, however, add friction or irritation when the skin is already uncomfortable.
The location can also make skincare less precise. Moisturiser, sunscreen, makeup and cleansers applied elsewhere on the face can easily spread into the folds around the nose.
Rather than changing everything immediately, notice which forms of contact happen repeatedly and whether any consistently leave the area feeling more irritated.
Reduce friction before adding another product
When skin around the nostrils becomes flaky, it can be tempting to rub away loose skin or repeatedly wipe the area clean.
That may provide a temporary feeling of smoothness, but repeated friction can make already sensitive skin feel more uncomfortable. Patting rather than rubbing and using tissues gently can reduce unnecessary mechanical irritation.
The same principle applies when applying skincare. A small amount spread carefully is different from repeatedly massaging the area because a product has not immediately relieved dryness.
If nose wiping is unavoidable because of a cold or allergies, the goal is not perfection. Simply reducing unnecessary rubbing where possible can make the routine gentler.
Keep cleansing around the nostrils simple
The folds beside the nose can collect skincare, makeup and everyday residue, but this does not mean they need aggressive cleansing.
Use gentle movements and avoid scrubbing the area in an attempt to remove bumps or flakes. Very hot water may also feel uncomfortable when the skin is already irritated.
After cleansing, pat the area dry rather than repeatedly dragging a towel across it.
If you are making broader changes to your routine at the same time, our home treatment guide explains how to simplify skincare one step at a time without changing everything together.
Trying to dry out the bumps can create another problem
Perioral dermatitis can include small bumps that may look as though they need to be dried out. That can encourage people to reach for harsh cleansers, exfoliating products or other treatments intended for oily or acne-prone skin.
But making the surrounding skin increasingly dry or uncomfortable does not necessarily improve the underlying rash.
A better goal is balance: avoid unnecessarily stripping the area while also resisting the urge to cover it continuously with multiple heavy products.
The aim is not to find an opposite reaction for every symptom. It is to reduce the number of things that may be adding unnecessary stress to the area.
Look beyond products when irritation keeps returning
Sometimes the skincare routine itself is fairly simple, but the nose area is still being disturbed throughout the day.
Frequent touching, wiping after eating, repeatedly checking the texture of the skin or picking at dry areas can become almost automatic. These habits are easy to overlook because they are not products listed on a bathroom shelf.
Try noticing when the area is touched rather than attempting to police every movement. Even reducing a few unnecessary contacts may help make your routine more consistent.
This is especially useful if the rash seems calmer in the morning but becomes increasingly uncomfortable as the day progresses.
Keep moisturising support focused
Skin around the nostrils may feel dry or tight, particularly when the area has been washed or wiped repeatedly. Moisturising support can help with comfort, but adding several rich products at once can make the routine harder to assess.
If you use a moisturiser, keep the rest of the routine reasonably stable and notice how the area responds. A product that repeatedly causes more burning, redness or discomfort may not be suitable for your skin.
Natural products also deserve the same care as any other skincare. Our guide to natural care for perioral dermatitis explains why botanical ingredients and essential oils are not automatically gentle simply because they are naturally derived.
Where Bragan Skincare Atopic Cream may fit
Our Bragan Skincare Atopic Cream is designed to moisturise, nourish and support dry, sensitive and irritation-prone skin.
When the skin beside the nose feels dry or uncomfortable, it may fit into a simple routine as moisturising support. Its role is to support hydration, comfort and the skin barrier rather than replace medical treatment for perioral dermatitis.
Introduce it carefully and pay attention to how your own skin responds rather than adding several unfamiliar products at the same time.
Our family snail farm
Our story began on a family-run snail farm in County Monaghan, Ireland, where careful farming practices helped inspire the development of Bragan Skincare.
Today, we continue to bring the same principles to products for dry, sensitive and irritation-prone skin: simplicity, consistency and thoughtful ingredient selection.
These values remain at the heart of the way we approach skincare.
About the author
Kieran Corley is the founder of Bragan Skincare, an Irish skincare company based in County Monaghan specialising in products for sensitive, eczema-prone, psoriasis-prone, and irritated skin.
Bragan Skincare began after Kieran noticed significant improvements in old scarring on his own skin while working with snails on his farm. That experience led to years of researching snail mucin, developing products, and working closely with people dealing with eczema, psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, scalp irritation, dryness, and reactive skin conditions.
Over the years, Kieran has spoken directly with hundreds of customers and families struggling with sensitive skin concerns, helping shape Bragan Skincare’s philosophy around gentle skincare, realistic expectations, and supporting the skin barrier without unnecessary irritation.
The articles on this website are based on product development experience, customer feedback, ongoing research, and years of working with people dealing with sensitive and easily irritated skin.
When a rash around the nose needs a closer look
Not every red or irritated rash beside the nose is perioral dermatitis. Other skin conditions can affect a similar area, which is one reason persistent symptoms are worth assessing rather than repeatedly treating them yourself.
Speak to a GP, pharmacist or dermatologist if:
- You are unsure what is causing the rash
- Symptoms persist or continue to spread
- The area becomes increasingly painful or swollen
- You notice possible signs of infection
- The rash extends towards the eyes
- Your symptoms continue despite simplifying your routine
- You need advice about prescribed treatment
Topical corticosteroids require particular care. They can be associated with perioral dermatitis, but if you currently use a prescribed steroid on your face, speak to the healthcare professional who prescribed it before changing how you use it.
Frequently asked questions
Can perioral dermatitis appear around the nose?
Yes. Perioral dermatitis can affect the folds beside the nose as well as the area around the mouth and chin.
Should I moisturise perioral dermatitis around my nose?
Moisturising support may help if the skin feels dry or tight. Keep the routine simple and reconsider products that repeatedly increase irritation.
Can wiping my nose make the area worse?
Frequent wiping can add friction to already sensitive skin. Use tissues gently and avoid unnecessary rubbing where possible.
Should I exfoliate flaky skin around my nostrils?
Avoid scrubbing or aggressively exfoliating irritated skin. This can add further irritation without addressing the underlying rash.
Can I use natural skincare around my nose?
You can, but natural does not automatically mean gentle. Essential oils, fragrance and botanical ingredients can still irritate sensitive skin.
When should I seek medical advice?
Seek advice if the rash persists, spreads, becomes painful, approaches the eyes or shows possible signs of infection.
Sources and further reading
- American Academy of Dermatology: Perioral dermatitis diagnosis and treatment
- Mayo Clinic: Perioral dermatitis and other types of dermatitis
- NHS: Hydrocortisone for skin
- NHS: Emollients for dry and sensitive skin
Final thoughts
Perioral dermatitis around the nose can be particularly easy to disturb because the area is touched, wiped and exposed to skincare throughout the day. Gentle cleansing, less friction and a simple routine may help reduce unnecessary irritation while supporting skin comfort.
If the rash remains persistent, continues to spread, becomes painful or develops towards the eyes, speak to a GP, pharmacist or dermatologist rather than repeatedly experimenting with products yourself.
To learn more about perioral dermatitis, including professional treatment options, supportive care and common treatment mistakes, visit our perioral dermatitis treatment guide.
