How To Deal With An Excessive Oily Nose: Tips And Remedies

If you’ve ever wondered ‘Why is my nose so oily?’, you are not alone. An oily nose is a common issue. It is the result of excessive sebum production in that area. Multiple genetic and hygiene factors can contribute to this issue. However, you are not alone. A greasy T-zone is a common problem for many people, particularly for those with oily or combination skin. In this article, we explore the causes of an oily nose and how to treat it. Keep reading!

Why Is My Nose So Oily? What Are The Causes?

Your nose turns oily when the sebaceous glands on the skin produce excessive oil. Usually, this issue is more evident in oily skin types. People with oily skin have overactive sebaceous glands and may have large pores on the nose and the entire T-zone. As a result, the entire T-zone, especially the nose, may appear oily.

Several other factors may be responsible for your oily nose. They are:

1. Ovulation In Premenopausal Women: Sebum production increases during ovulation(1).

2. Environment And Climate: Your nose may turn oily during summers, especially if you live in a hot and humid area (1). Additionally, environmental stressors like pollution can also worsen oiliness, as they can irritate the skin and trigger increased sebum production.

3. Diet: A typical western diet that includes dairy products, meat, alcohol, and sugar influences sebum production (2).

4. Growth Hormones: The growth hormones released by the pituitary gland may increase sebum secretion (3). If you are an adolescent or an athlete who takes growth hormones along with other steroids, you may experience an oily nose.

While you may get an oily nose any time during the day, it is annoying to discover a super shiny and slippery nose right after you wake up!

While you cannot control the pore size as it is genetically predetermined, you can try various methods to control the oiliness on your nose.

How To Manage An Oily Nose

Topical Remedies

1. Retinoids

Topical retinoids (derivatives of vitamin A) can reduce the proliferation of sebocytes and control sebum production. Retinoids like tretinoin and tazarotene effectively reduce facial pore size, thus controlling sebum production.

A study was conducted on 793 participants with moderate-to-severe acne to determine the effects of tazarotene 0.045% lotion on skin oiliness. The study found that 70% of the participants saw an improvement in their skin oiliness. Furthermore, the use of tazarotene 0.045% lotion resulted in more than a 55% reduction in lesion counts after 12 weeks.

Though further studies are required to prove the sebosuppressive effects of retinoids, you may talk to your doctor and try using OTC retinoid products (1).

2. Green Tea

Studies have shown that 3% of green tea emulsion could reduce sebum synthesis in eight weeks. You can use topical cosmeceuticals having green tea as an ingredient to reduce the oiliness on your nose (1).

Here are a few home remedies you may try to control the shine and oiliness on your nose. These homemade scrubs and masks may help remove excess sebum and dirt from the nose, minimize the pore size, prevent blackheads, and control excess oiliness.

Home Remedies For Oily Nose

1. Lemon And Sugar Scrub

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons of sugar
• 4 tablespoons of lemon juice

Directions

1. Mix the ingredients thoroughly and apply the mixture to your nose.
2. Massage in circular motions for 1-2 minutes.
3. Leave it on for about 2-3 minutes.
4. Rinse off with warm water and pat dry.

Quick Tip

To achieve perfect consistency, you may also add a little honey to the scrub. Additionally, you can add coconut oil, almond oil, jojoba oil, or grape seed oil for moisturization.

2. Honey And Almond Scrub

Ingredients

• 4-5 almonds
• 2 tablespoons of honey

Directions

1. Crush the almonds and mix the powder with honey to form a paste.
2. Apply this paste to your nose and massage gently for 1-2 minutes.
3. Leave it on for about 20 minutes.
4. Rinse off with water and pat dry.

3. Apple Cider Vinegar And Water Toner

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
• ½ cup of filtered water
• Cotton ball

Directions

1. Dilute the ACV with water.
2. Use the cotton ball to apply it to your nose.
3. Leave it on for about 15 minutes.
4. Rinse off with water and pat dry.

4. Fuller’s Earth And Sandalwood Mask

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon of sandalwood paste
• 1 tablespoon of Fuller’s earth
• Rose water

Directions

1. Mix the ingredients in a small bowl to form a paste.
2. Apply it to your nose and let it dry for 10-20 minutes.
3. Rinse off thoroughly with lukewarm water.
4. Use this paste twice a week.

Quick Tip

If Fuller’s earth is unavailable, you can use bentonite clay or kaolin clay as a substitute.

5. Yogurt And Tomato Mask

Ingredients

• 1 small tomato
• 2 tablespoons of yogurt

Directions

1. Mash the tomato and strain the pulp.
2. Mix the pulp with yogurt and apply it to your nose.
3. Leave it on for about 15 minutes.
4. Rinse off with warm water, followed by cold water.
5. Use this mask twice a week.

6. Oats And Tomato Scrub

Ingredients

• 1 medium-sized tomato
• 2 tablespoons of powdered oats

Directions

1. Mash the tomato and mix it with the oats.
2. Apply this scrub to your nose and massage for 2-3 minutes.
3. Wash off with normal water and pat dry.
4. Use this mask twice a week.

These home remedies may help reduce the oiliness temporarily. However, home remedies are not enough when dealing with an oily nose. You also have to take preventive measures.

Caution: For people with sensitive skin, excessive sun exposure, and conditions like rosacea, using these home remedies may lead to skin rashes.

Tips To Prevent An Oily Nose

1. Avoid Washing Your Face Repeatedly

Frequent washing strips the natural oils from your face. Initially, your skin may feel squeaky clean, and tight. However, it will also produce more oils to combat this dryness. As a result, your skin may turn excessively oily. Always wash your face not more than twice a day.

2. Avoid Using Harsh Ingredients

Harsh chemicals like drying alcohol and artificial preservatives may cause excessive dryness and trigger the skin to produce excess oil. Always use a gentle and mild cleanser that does not contain alcohol and other harsh chemicals. If you have oily and acne-prone skin, you may use foaming face washes with salicylic acid.

3. Follow A Skin Care Routine

Follow a basic cleansing toning and moisturizing routine every day to get rid of oily skin. Use serums, essences, and emulsions for your skin type. If you have oily skin, moisturize it with an oil-free moisturizing lotion/serum (if needed). This will prevent the skin from producing excess oil.

4. Opt For Oil-Free Makeup

Go for oil-free foundations that give a matte finish. If you have oily skin, you may try the stick foundation instead of the liquid ones. Also, avoid using heavy makeup to avoid clogging the pores, which can lead to clogged pores on the nose. You may use setting powders or no-sebum mineral powders to set your makeup and prevent oiliness. Always remove your makeup before hitting the bed to allow your skin to breathe freely.

5. Drink Plenty Of Water

It is important to keep your skin hydrated from within. Dehydrated skin ends up producing excess sebum to keep itself moisturized. That is why drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

6. Take Care Of Your Diet

Avoid consuming processed foods, oily foods, fast foods, dairy, alcohol, and sugary beverages that can aggravate your oily nose problem. Consume a healthy diet that contains fruits, vegetables, meat, eggs, and whole grains.

7. Reach Out To A Dermatologist

If your oily nose problem seems to intensify, you can reach out to a dermatologist and seek professional advice. Your dermatologist will be able to prescribe a proper course of treatment based on your specific condition. Knowing about your skin functions can help you deal with your oily nose issue.

Infographic: 5 DIY Scrubs And Masks To Manage An Oily Nose

Excess sebum production in the T-zone causes an oily nose. It is common in those with oily or combination skin, as they have large pores in the T-zone. While you can’t do anything about the pore size, you can definitely control the excess sebum production with natural home remedies. Check out the infographic below to learn about the 5 scrubs and masks to deal with an oily nose.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

In Conclusion

An oily nose is a common skin issue faced by many, especially those with oily skin. While you cannot shrink your pores overnight or eliminate the grease like magic, you can take measures to regulate the sebum production. A good and committed skin care routine for oily skin can help you deal with an oily nose to a great deal. Adopting the effective home remedies and other tips mentioned above can greatly aid in controlling oiliness on your nose, resulting in clearer skin over time. So, definitely give these a try!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ideal skin care routine for oily skin?

The best skin care routine for oily skin includes gentle cleansing, applying toners, using oil-free moisturizers, opting for mattifying products, exfoliating regularly, and using non-comedogenic sunscreen to control excess oil and prevent breakouts.

What type of skin do I have if my nose is oily?

If you have an oily T-zone and cheeks, your skin is oily. However, an oily T-zone and dry cheeks mean you have a combination skin type.

How often should I exfoliate my oily nose?

Exfoliate your oily nose note more than once a week.

What are the best skin care products for reducing oiliness on the nose?

A lightweight moisturizer with a hydrating ingredient. Just because the skin is oily doesn’t mean it is hydrated. Exposure to UV light may increase sebum protection, thus it is mandatory to use sunscreen with an SPF of more than 30.

What are the benefits of using oil-absorbing sheets on an oily nose?

Oil-blotting papers remove excess oil from the face, but they do not remove it from the nose or get to the root of the cause. These papers provide temporary relief and prevent excess oil on the face from smudging the makeup.

What are the long-term effects of having an oily nose if it’s left untreated?

Applying makeup on oily skin or nose is a real challenge. Due to the large pores on the skin, the glands release more sebum and make it difficult for the makeup to set. Moreover, excess oil attracts dirt and pollutants, which clog the pores and lead to acne, pimples on the nose, or breakouts.

Illustration: How To Manage An Oily Nose: Tips And Remedies

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Concerned about that oily nose? Watch this informative video and find out the main causes behind it and get remedies to combat excess oil and achieve a shine-free nose.

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Dr. M. Khawar NazirMBBS

   

Dr. M. Khawar Nazir has 10 years of experience in cosmetic dermatology and is the CEO of Boston Aesthetics Lahore, Pakistan. He earned his MBBS degree from Nishtar Medical College, Multan, Pakistan, and did his post graduation from Boston University, School Of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.

Read full bio of Dr. M. Khawar Nazir

Ramona SinhaEditor

 

Ramona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal, and did her post-graduation from the University of Kalyani, West Bengal.

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Eshna DasAssociate Editor

Eshna is an associate editor and a certified skin care coach. She has over three years of experience, a triple main bachelor’s degree in psychology, English, and journalism from Mount Carmel College, Bengaluru, and a master’s degree in psychology from Sampurna Montfort College, Bengaluru.

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Shiboli ChakrabortiCommerce Editor

Shiboli has a master’s degree in English literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and is a certified skincare coach with four years of experience. As a commerce editor, she guides her team members on the best practices to create crisp and authentic content.

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