Nose Acne - What You Need to Know
Dealing with acne on nose is something that a majority of people get to experience at least once in their lifetime. And if you are unfortunate enough to have sensitive skin that is prone to breaking out, nose acne can quickly become a very frequent occurrence. You see, your nose harbours millions of highly active sweat glands and larger-than-average pores. This makes it a perfect candidate for a plethora of skin problems such as acne rosacea or acne vulgaris. Still, not all acne under nose is created equal. You need to identify what exactly is causing the breakout and acne near nose to effectively get rid of it and prevent future flare-up episodes.
What Causes Acne on Nose?
If there's a dilemma that most people struggle with, especially if they have sensitive skin then it is, what causes acne on nose? This is, afterall, an organ that harbours a combination of large pores and active sweat glands - the perfect combination that precipitates pustules or acne swellings. Alongside chin acne, side nose acne is one of the commonest and most prevalent breakouts especially for people with anything less than perfect skin. Besides, chances are if you have acne on your nose, you will additionally have a few bumps on your forehead or cheeks. Which, therefore, leads us to the question, what causes nose acne?
The first step to dissecting nose acne causes is figuring out the exact type of acne that is troubling you. In this case, the pimples on your nose could be as a result of;
1. Acne Vulgaris
The chief cause of acne vulgaris, as you may already know, is clogged pores. You see, healthy pores are usually a function of normal-acting sebaceous glands that ensure that the skin stays well-hydrated and healthy. But this is rarely the case - most often than not your pores will overproduce oil which quickly leads to congested skin as sebum combines with dirt, bacteria and dead skin to cause acne. The nose, as mentioned above, is particularly vulnerable to this as the pores are larger and the sweat glands are more active than in other parts of the body.
Acne vulgaris on the nose can be caused by;
- Digestive problems
- Drastic hormonal fluctuations
- Constantly blowing the nose and hair removal
- Family history
- Increased/chronic stress
The site and location of the acne can also help indicate the health conditions behind your flare ups which makes nose acne treatment easier. Acne on the nose tip, for instance, means that you could be suffering from digestive problems while side nose acne may be pointing towards hormone fluctuations.
2. Rosacea
Rosacea, as the name suggests, is a type of acne that is mostly caused by enlarged blood vessels. The related inflammation, which is characterized by redness that hardly clears up without dermatological intervention, often culminates into pimple-like bumps. Speaking of which, there are usually two types of acne that can cause nose acne;
- Papulopustular rosacea
- Subtype 2 rosacea
Easy Tips on How to Get Rid of Nose Acne
When it comes to how to get rid of nose acne, the focus should be on treating the exact genesis of the breakouts rather than concentrating on the physical symptoms. Non-inflammatory nose acne i.e blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples, should obviously be handled differently in direct comparison to inflammatory breakouts such as nodules. Here's a quick breakdown on how to get rid of acne on nose depending on the specific type of breakout.
1. Treatment of Non-inflammatory Nose Acne
OTC (over the counter) medication sits at the crux of the most effective ways on how to get rid of acne around nose for two reasons. For starters, medicated creams, toners and spot-treatments can break down bacteria, get rid of excess oils and moisturize your skin enough to help keep nose acne at bay. One good example of such an OTC cream is AENO's Acne Treatment Natural Cream.
Secondly, go for OTC products that contain ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. The latter works by getting rid of excess dead skin that can be found around your hair follicles thereby clearing up any congested pores. If done religiously, it can help break down the acne by ensuring regular exfoliation. Alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) based treatments work the same way by unclogging pores and making age spots less noticeable.
2. Treatment of inflammatory Nose Acne
The specifics of how to treat acne on nose get complicated quickly when you throw in the more severe form of acne that is typically characterized by nodules or swellings. Most often than not, getting rid of this type of acne will involve the combination of OTC products, prescription treatment like retinoids, and home remedies, depending on the severity, frequency and general prognosis from your dermatologists.
Lastly, prevention is always better than cure when it comes to the question of how to treat acne on nose. Here's a quick preview on that;
- Wash your face at least twice per day using a gently yet potent gel-based cleaner
- Always use a toner in your washing routine to get rid of excess oil and dirt
- Make use of a clay mask at least twice or thrice per week to get rid of congested skin
- Wear sunscreen daily or whenever you are going outdoors
- Apply a non-comedogenic moisturizer generously without fail after washing your face
- Get rid of makeup 12 hours after putting it on to avoid having clogged pores. Also, never sleep with your makeup on.
In Closing
As much as there are many alternative strategies on how to get rid of acne under nose, the idea here is to have a wholesome and all-inclusive skincare routine that takes into account your skin type and likelihood of developing pimples on your nose. Only then will you be able to treat these types of breakouts and keep them at bay.
