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How To Get Rid of Nose Acne In 4 Steps

Dr. Amy Yuan
| March 24, 2023
Fact-checked by:
Marisa Garshick MD
, Board Certified Dermatologist

Nose acne is a common condition that’s caused by the buildup of dead skin cells, overproduction of oil, and contact with bacteria or dirt [1]. Plus, your nose sits smack dab in the middle of your T-zone, typically the oiliest region of your face. 

But just because acne may have everything it needs to thrive on your nose doesn’t mean you have to be stuck fighting a losing battle. It’s easy to learn how to get rid of nose acne.

Luckily, there’s an impressive inventory of products and strategies to help rid your nose of troublesome blemishes and red spots. We’ll break those down for you here so that you can start building up your own acne-fighting arsenal.

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What Causes Nose Acne? 

Like other types of acne on your forehead or chin, a nose pimple is caused by a combination of excess oil, bacteria, and dead skin cells that clog your pores and create inflammation [2]. However, additional factors may contribute to those pesky spots on your nose. Some of the common causes of nose acne and nose pimple include:

  • Overproduction of sebum – While your face naturally produces oils to moisturize and protect your skin, your body can produce too much sebum (or oil), resulting in oily skin, clogged pores and hair follicles [3].
  • Hormonal fluctuations – Diet, pregnancy, or puberty can contribute to hormonal imbalances that increase the production of sebum and support the development of acne on the nose [4].
  • Stress – Chronic stress can influence your hormone levels, causing increased sebum production due to hyperactive sebaceous glands [5]. 
  • Genetics – Some families may be at a higher risk of acne than others due to the presence of genes that influence the activity of sebaceous glands [6].
  • Bacteria – Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes) is a type of bacteria that thrives in the warm, moist environment of your skin. This bacteria can produce chemicals that can trigger an inflammatory papule, pustule, or nodule on your nose [7]. 
  • Pollutants – Environmental pollutants, like dirt, debris, and dust, can gather on your face and make their way into your pores, causing inflammation and facilitating the development of nose acne in every clogged pore [8]. 

Types Of Acne on the Nose

Like other parts of your face and body, blemishes on the nose can appear in various forms. The most common types of acne include: 

  • Pustules – Small, red inflamed bumps that contain a yellowish-white fluid called pus [9].
  • Blackheads – Small, dark-colored spots that develop in partially open pores as a result of the oxidation of oil and bacteria [10].
  • Whiteheads – Small, raised bumps that appear white. Unlike blackheads, these blemishes result from a completely closed, clogged pore [11].
  • Cysts – Large, fluid-filled sacs that develop deep within the skin [12].
  • Nodules – Firm, fibrous growths that occur due to inflammation from bacteria or fungus.  
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4 Steps to Help Clear Nose Acne

Learning how to get rid of nose acne may take some time and patience. But with these four steps, you’ll be well on your way: 

#1 Invest in a High-Quality Cleanser

The first step to a reliable skincare routine is investing in a high-quality cleanser that contains acne-fighting ingredients that soothe, exfoliate, and nourish your skin. You don’t have to resort to severe acne treatment at once. A gentle cleanser can remove dirt, oil, and makeup from your nose and reduce your chances of clogged pores. 

A natural face cleanser, like the PROVEN facial cleanser, contains a formula that’s uniquely suited for your skin. This cleanser even takes it a step further, not only cleansing and exfoliating your face, but also combating acne-related issues like redness, hyperpigmentation, and dryness with its natural ingredients.

#2 Wear Moisturizer with Sunscreen

When your skin is dry, it tends to produce more oil. As you know, excessively oily skin can often lead to more breakouts. What’s more, the sun’s UV rays can sometimes make your cystic acne worse and increase the risk of hyperpigmentation. In other words, a moisturizing, sun-blocking solution could be the key to keeping you blemish-free as you go about your day. 

Wearing a daily moisturizer with SPF can keep your skin feeling hydrated and supple. Incorporating a moisturizer with sunscreen can help prevent your nose from drying out while protecting it from UV exposure from the sun. 

#3 Incorporate a Night Cream into Your Bedtime Routine

Adding a night cream to your bedtime routine allows you to fight acne while sleeping. At night, especially if you sleep with a fan, your face can lose moisture and become irritated. A good night cream will protect your skin, leaving it feeling bright and hydrated when you wake up. 

#4 Avoid Touching Your Face

Regularly touching your face can spread bacteria from door knobs, toilet handles, and other items you’ve touched throughout the day to your face, sometimes resulting in more cystic acne breakouts or even pock marks on the face. Plus, if you pick or squeeze a blind pimple, bacteria may be pushed deeper into the skin or transferred to other regions of the face, causing more inflammation and redness – which may result in needing severe acne treatment. 

The takeaway? Resist the urge to pick, pop, or prod at your face. Leave that blind pimple and other blemishes alone because it could result in an acne scar. If the temptation is too great, learn how to get rid of a blind pimple overnight through safer methods.

Keep Your Skin Confidently Clear With PROVEN 

Painful pimples and persistent blemishes on your nose can sometimes feel maddening. But with PROVEN’s 3-step custom skincare set you could finally be on your way to banishing those blemishes for good. 

Designed specifically for you, each formula contains specialized ingredients to address your unique skin concerns. PROVEN truly nose best—take our Skin Quiz today to find the right formula for you. 

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