How to Get Rid of Acne on Your Nose

Last Updated: August 25, 2021 References

Acne is one of the most frustrating things a person experiences. Acne can occur both in adolescence and into adulthood. If you have acne on your nose, you can learn how to get rid of it so you can get clear skin again.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Treating Nose Acne

1
Try a benzoyl peroxide cream or cleanser. Benzoyl peroxide is a popular product in acne products. It kills the acne-causing bacteria and helps to open up your pores, so applying it around your nose will help get rid of the acne. Look for products that contain benzoyl peroxide, which can be in concentrations of 2.5% to 10%. Products include cleansers or spot treatments.^{[1]
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- Benzoyl peroxide may dry out your skin or cause stinging, burning, and redness at the site of application. Use it only as directed on the package.
2
Use an acne product with salicylic acid. Salicylic acid is another acne medication. You can find salicylic acid in over-the-counter cleansers and spot treatments to use for your nose acne. Available products contain between 0.5% to 5% concentration of salicylic acid.^{[2]
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- Salicylic acid can include skin irritation and stinging. Use only as directed.
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3
Try an over-the-counter retinoid product. Differin gel (adapalene) is a retinoid gel that is available without a prescription. It is especially good at opening pores and treating and preventing blackheads, which are common in nose acne. Note that retinoids can be irritating and dry out your skin, especially when you first begin treatment. Make sure you follow the instructions on the packaging and use as directed.
4
Wash your face daily. To help prevent acne on your nose and the rest of your face, wash your face daily, twice a day if you can. You should also wash after any sweaty activity. A lot of sweat can increase acne.^{[3]
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- Wash your face gently with light circular motions. Don't wash your face too much. More than twice a day is not recommended.
5
Try pore strips. You can apply a pore strip to your nose after washing your face, then allow the strip to dry and harden. As the strip dries, the comedonal plugs (dirt in your pores) are attracted to the adhesive on the strip. When you remove the strip, you will see small pieces of dirt stuck to the strip that have come out of your pores.^{[4]
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- You have to apply the strip to wet, clean skin or it will not work properly.
- Make sure that you wait until the strip is completely dry to remove it. Then pull it off slowly.
6
Use makeup that won't cause acne. Some cosmetics can irritate your skin and cause acne. If you have trouble with acne on your nose, consider going without makeup or use as little makeup as possible. When choosing foundations, go for oil-free and noncomedogenic makeups that won't clog your pores.^{[5]
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- The chemicals and oils in makeup, even hypoallergenic makeup, can be clog your pores and cause breakouts.
- Always remove all makeup before going to sleep. This helps reduce clogged pores.
7
Wear sunblock on your face. You should make sure to protect your face, especially your nose, from the sun. Too much sun exposure and tanning beds can damage your skin, and damaged skin is at a high risk for acne. If you are going to be out in the sun, wear sunblock. You can choose to wear a separate sunscreen or buy a daily moisturizer with sunblock in it.^{[6]
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- Some acne medications make your skin extremely sensitive to UV rays. Take caution in the sun if you are using these medications, which list sensitivity to the sun on the labels.
8
See a doctor. Try these at home methods for at least three to four weeks. If the acne on your nose is showing no improvement, make an appointment to see a dermatologist. If you have moderate to severe acne, see a dermatologist before you try any of these methods to get a professional recommendation.
- Without that professional advice, you could cause more problems than you solve/ Your dermatologist may recommend other approaches to blackheads, whiteheads, or pimples on your nose. Nothing can replace having a trained physician physically examine and look at your unique skin.
- A dermatologist may recommend prescription medications, or alternative treatments such as microdermabrasion, chemical peels, or light or laser treatments. They may also help immediately remove blackheads with a special tool called a comedone extractor.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Adopting a Face Cleansing Routine

1
Choose a noncomedogenic cleanser. A noncomedogenic cleanser will not clog your pores. This kind of cleanser is recommended if your face is prone to acne. Choose a mild, non-abrasive cleanser.
- Try a gentle, water-based cleanser such as Neutrogena, Cetaphil, and Eucerin. These are especially helpful if you have oily skin.
2
Cleanse your face. Wet your face with lukewarm water and then pour a small amount of the cleanser into the palm of your hand. Massage the cleanser onto your face for about two minutes. Make sure to use small, gentle, circular motions.^{[7]
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- To help get rid of nose acne, pay special attention to your nose and all its curves. Get the cleanser into creases of your nose.
3
Rinse off the cleanser. Next, splash your face with lukewarm water or use a washcloth soaked in warm water to remove the cleanser from your face. Keep splashing your face with water or rinse the washcloth in warm water and repeat until you have wiped all the cleanser off your face.
- Avoid scrubbing your skin. This can lead to irritation, redness, and breakouts.^{[8]
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- Use a cotton towel to pat dry your face after you have removed all of the cleanser.
4
Moisturize your face. Apply a noncomedogenic moisturizer, such as products from Neutrogena, Cetaphil, and Olay. You can also try store brand moisturizers, but make sure you read the label to check that it is noncomedogenic.
- Use this method twice a day and after heavy sweating.^{[9]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Using Home Remedies to Get Rid of Nose Acne

1
Use a spot herbal treatment. A number of herbs can act as astringents, which help to dry out tissues and act as anti-inflammatory agents. You can apply an astringent directly onto pimples on your nose using a Q-tip or a cotton ball. Use these astringents sparingly because they dry out the skin. The following herbal astringents can be used to dry individual pimples:
- Black or Green tea
- Lemon juice
- Chamomile tea^{[10]
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- Yarrow tea
- Sage tea
- Apple cider vinegar^{[11]
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2
Make an herbal mask. Facial masks can help clean, tighten, and heal the skin and minimize pimples. Astringent herbs tighten or tone the skin while the antibacterial herbs help kill off bacteria. You can treat just your nose or your entire face. Start by making a mask with one tablespoon of honey, which is antibacterial and astringent, along with one egg white, which is also an astringent.^{[12]
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- Add one teaspoon of lemon juice, which is another astringent.
- Add ⅛ teaspoon of any of the following essential oils with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties: peppermint, spearmint, lavender, calendula, or thyme.
- Spread the mixture over your nose. If you want, use a q-tip to spread the mixture over specific problem areas. Allow the mixture to dry for 15 minutes, then rinse off completely with lukewarm water.
- Pat dry and apply a non-comedogenic moisturizer.
3
Use a sea salt mask. You can also dry out pimples on the nose by using sea salt. Take one teaspoon of sea salt and stir it into three teaspoons of hot water. Stir to dissolve the sea salt. If you don't want to use a full mask, take a q-tip and dip the tip into your mixture and apply where needed. Just make sure you avoid getting the mixture near your eyes.^{[14]
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- Leave the mixture on for 10 minutes. Don't leave it on any longer. Sea salt draws water out and can dry your skin too much.
- Rinse off completely with cool or lukewarm water. Pat dry.
4
Make an exfoliant. Vigorous exfoliation using a harsh exfoliant product often does more harm than good. Exfoliation can cause micro-scarring and more obvious scarring, and it can often make acne worse. The scrubs you buy which perform the exfoliation may pull off skin that is not yet ready to fall off. Instead, you can make your own gentle exfoliants to spot treat the acne on your nose. Use these treatments two to three times a week.^{[15]
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- To make a honey-baking soda exfoliant, mix ¼ cup of honey with enough baking soda to make a paste. Using gentle, circular motions, apply this mixture to the affected area. You can also use a q-tip. Gently work the mixture into your nose for two to three minutes and rinse with warm water.
- Grind ¼ to ½ cup of rolled whole oats in a food processor. Add enough olive, jojoba, vitamin E, avocado, or almond oil to make a paste. Using gentle, circular motions, apply this mixture to the affected areas or use a q-tip. Gently work the mixture into the area for two to three minutes and rinse with warm water.
- For a sugar-olive oil exfoliant, mix a teaspoon of sugar with ½ cup of olive oil. Using gentle, circular motions, apply this mixture to the affected areas or use a q-tip. Gently work the mixture into the area for two to three minutes and rinse with warm water.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Using Steam to Help with Acne

1
Wash your face. Before you steam clean your face, you need to clean it first. Otherwise, you might cause even more pimples. Wet your face with lukewarm water. With your fingertips, apply cleanser to your face.
- Rinse your face with lukewarm water. Make sure to remove all the excess cleanser. Pat dry using a clean towel.
2
Choose an essential oil. You can add an acne-fighting essential oil to your steam. This can give your nose some extra cleansing. You can try tea tree oil, orange oil, lavender oil, rosemary oil, or peppermint oil.
- You may want to use the same oil that is in your cleanser or try a different oil completely.
3
Fill a bowl with steaming water. Heat one quart of water until it boils. When the water starts to boil, remove it from the heat. Then, pour the water into a heat proof bowl and add a few drops of your chosen essential oil.
- If you don't have any essential oils, you can substitute ½ teaspoon of the dried herb for each quart of water.
4
Hold your face over the steam. Opening your pores using steam can help clear your skin and help the astringents effectively dry out the pimples on your nose To steam your face, begin by covering your head with a large towel. When the water has cooled a bit but is still steaming, hold your face over the steaming pot. Make sure to stay at least 12 inches (30.5 cm) above it.
- Close your eyes. Remain over the steam for 10 minutes with the towel over your head. This helps open your pores.
- Never put your face too close to hot water. This can cause scalding and damage blood vessels.
5
Repeat this process. After 10 minutes, remove your face from the steam. Cover your face with a cold washcloth. After holding the cold cloth on your face for 30 seconds, return to the steam. Repeat this 3 times, ending with the cold treatment each time.
- The idea is to contract and expand surface capillaries, which can tone your skin and improve circulation.
6
Rinse and dry. When you are finished, rinse your face with lukewarm water. Gently pat your face dry without rubbing your skin. Then, apply a non-comedogenic moisturizer to your face.
- You can do this steam treatment twice a day, in the morning and in the evening, to try to get rid of the acne around your nose.