Redness Around the Nose: Causes and How to Treat It

Close up of a woman with flushed cheeks — Anna Tabakova / Stocksy

If redness around the nose is something you've been dealing with, keep in mind that it's there for a reason. The most important thing is to determine why you have it and then treat the underlying cause rather than cover up the problem with concealers or powders that could aggravate the situation. If you're concerned about persistent redness around the nose, it is best to consult with a dermatologist who can diagnose your issue.

In the meantime, there are ways you can soothe your skin—and we went to board-certified dermatologist Ava Shamban, MD, and esthetician Kát Rudu to find out exactly what they are. Read on to discover how you can treat redness around the nose.

Meet the Expert

Ava Shamban, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and the founder of Skin Five.
Kát Rudu is a Southern California-based celebrity esthetician and the founder of Kát Rudu Pure Biotic.

What Causes Redness Around the Nose?

Our experts say some of the most common causes of redness around the nose are rosacea, perioral dermatitis, and allergies. "Both perioral dermatitis and rosacea can have tiny little pustules on a red patch," explains Shamban. "Rosacea may also have cysts and telangiectasia. Dermatitis may have a small number of white scales." Pustules are small puss-filled bumps, and telangiectasia is a collection of spider veins. While neither sounds particularly appealing, they're naturally forming—plus, being able to identify them is the first step in correcting them.

Even when not true rosacea, Shamban says the root of redness can still be a series of small capillaries that are broken in that area around the nose. "We have a large number of these small network systems around the side of the nose, and they can be temperamental in that capillaries are possibly affected by a whole host of factors, including temperature changes, hormones or pregnancy, sun exposure, alcohol consumption, or injury to the area," she explains. "I cannot stress enough the importance of sun protection around the nose, especially with minerals like zinc and titanium."

How to Treat Redness Around the Nose

01 of 10

Invest in a Humidifier

"Use a humidifier at night while sleeping to ensure that skin does not get dried out," says Rudu. For additional relief, she suggests adding essential oils or calming agents like lavender, chamomile, or cucumber into your humidifier for extra hydration and calming effects. (Though you'll want to be careful with essential oils if you have sensitive skin.)

02 of 10

Avoid Certain Foods

Shamban explains that if rosacea is at the root of your redness, you'll want to avoid alcohol, caffeine, and spicy foods, all of which aggravate the condition and make the redness more prominent. "If the cause is perioral dermatitis, this can be flared up by hormonal changes, so make sure to visit your gynecologist to treat those changes," she adds.

03 of 10

Apply a Cold Compress

Rudu and Shamban agree that cold compresses are a good way to keep redness and inflammation around the nose (and all over the face) at bay. "Avoid using hot water when washing the face or showering—use more tepid temperate water for the face," says Shamban. "And better yet, add a cold compress to your face routine."

Rudu says that chamomile tea presses are even better than water compresses. Learn how to make a chamomile tea compress by following these simple steps:

Brew tea and place it in the fridge to cool.
Soak a cloth in the cool tea.
Squeeze out excess tea.
Place the cool material over the irritated area.

04 of 10

Try an At-Home LED Light Treatment

LED light treatments with blue light, which are used on acne patients, also serve to mitigate redness from capillaries, rosacea, and dermatitis. "In-office, the light-emitting diode protocols are more effective, but there are also some home devices or masks that are effective tools in your fight against flush," Shamban says.

05 of 10

Use a CBD Serum

Kát Rudu Pure Biotic carries a CBD serum called Sanctuary Glow Hemp Serum ($59) that is "a calming agent [that] is amazing to fight redness and inflammation in the dermis," says Rudu. "In-office, a cooling oxygen (or oxygen CBD Serum blast) keeps skin cool and combats redness."

06 of 10

Buy Moisturizing Tissues

Redness around the nose can also be related to dry skin, allergies, or a cold that has you incessantly wiping and irritating the area. Use tissues with a moisturizer built-in, like aloe vera and/or vitamin E, which can be soothing and help to eliminate the redness. Shamban explains that for underlying allergies like hay fever, an antihistamine (like Sudafed or Claritin, for example) is a preferred treatment.

07 of 10

Start Doing Yoga

Because stress is a major trigger for redness, Shamban suggests practicing relaxation techniques to keep stress at bay. Incorporating yoga, breathwork, and meditation into your day-to-day can never hurt and may even reduce redness. So, if you're feeling stressed and looking a little red, going Zen might be the answer.

08 of 10

Mask Redness With Tiger Grass

Gotu kola, also known as tiger grass, is an ancient healing remedy masterful at masking redness. "It is [known] to calm irritation and stimulate the skin's wound-healing response," explains Rudu. "A super multitasker, it is an herb that repairs and soothes, helping to eliminate any inflammation and flushing or residual redness."

09 of 10

Take a Probiotic Supplement

Probiotics that are ingested or applied topically can help with redness, Rudu explains. They have great antibacterial and antimicrobial properties and prevent inflammation triggers by acting as a calming agent. "Topically, probiotics sit on the skin surface, preventing skin cells from touching any bacteria that would cause an immune system response of inflammation, which can cause redness and a flushing effect," she says.

10 of 10

Use Hypoallergenic Cleansers and Moisturizers

For lifestyle changes that can help reduce your odds of redness around the nose, Shamban recommends using gentle, hypoallergenic cleansers and moisturizers. If you're looking for added relief, "cucumbers soaked in a small amount of water mixed into a bland moisturizer can be helpful," suggests Shamban. "Alternatively, having a facial mask made with yogurt, honey, and oatmeal can also be soothing."

"Adding a moisturizer or serum with a reflective property like pearl powder is a great deflector, balancing redness in the key area around the nose and reflecting light," recommends Rudu.

When to See a Professional

Most of the time, redness around your nose is only temporary and will improve following the tips outlined above. If the redness gets worse or lasts longer than two weeks, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends you check in with your doctor to find out the cause.

If you are having other symptoms in addition to redness, such as itchiness, swelling, cracked, or oozing skin, this can be a sign of other conditions. For example, rosacea causes redness and flushing that requires a prescription topical ointment. Perioral dermatitis causes a red, scaly rash with bumps around your mouth and nose and is often mistaken for acne.

Eczema, psoriasis, shingles, or even an allergic reaction to a medication or lotion are other conditions that your doctor can help rule out.