Peeling, Sore Skin Around the Nose During a Cold: What to Put On It

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The short answer

During a cold, the skin around your nose peels mainly because of tissue friction and the constant wet-dry cycle of a runny nose. What to do: dab with a soft tissue (do not rub), put a thin layer of balm on after each wipe, and do not peel the flakes off. For adults, Bioderma Atoderm Intensive Baume or the small fragrance-free tube of Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream Dry to Very Dry, Sensitive Skin works well. For children, use only children's products such as Sebamed Baby Cream Extra Soft. Redness and stinging usually settle in 3 to 5 days. See a doctor if you see yellow crusts, blisters, or have a fever.

Why the skin around the nose peels during a cold

The skin under and beside the nose is very thin. With a cold, we wipe our nose 30 to 50 times a day. Each rub of a tissue or handkerchief takes away a little of the skin's protective top layer.

Then there is the runny nose itself. Nasal fluid is slightly salty and contains some enzymes. Skin that gets wet and dries again and again becomes weaker, just as hands crack from frequent washing. Dry winter air speeds up that drying. The result: a red, stinging, peeling nose that hurts to touch.

Many people put menthol or camphor balm under the nose to open it up. It feels cool, but on raw, peeling skin it adds to the stinging. Avoid it on broken skin.

What to apply

For adults

• Bioderma Atoderm Intensive Baume: a thick balm that forms a protective layer on the skin. It shields it from nasal fluid and tissue friction. A grain-of-rice amount under and beside the nose is enough.
• Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream Dry to Very Dry, Sensitive Skin: a small 28 g tube, easy to keep in a bag or pocket. It is fragrance-free, so it suits irritated skin.

For children

• Sebamed Baby Cream Extra Soft: made for soft children's skin. A thin layer under the nose.
• If the cheeks are dry too, Aveeno Baby Daily Moisture Lotion.
• For babies under 6 months, check the label says fragrance-free, and do not use essential oils or anything with menthol. For more on children's winter creams read our guide to lotions and creams for kids.

If your lips crack too

Breathing through the mouth during a cold cracks the lips quickly. Use Vaseline Lip Therapy Cocoa Butter on the lips. It is scented, so use it only on the lips, not on peeling skin around the nose. For more on lips, read our guide to cracked winter lips.

An honest note: we do not stock a plain tub of petroleum jelly right now. The balm and fragrance-free cream above give the same kind of protection.

Tissue and wiping rules

1. Use soft tissues. Do not wipe your nose with rough toilet paper or newspaper-like paper. Soft tissues with lotion are even better.
2. Dab, do not rub. Press the tissue gently under the nose to soak up the fluid.
3. If you use handkerchiefs, keep several and wash them every day. One damp handkerchief used all day collects germs.
4. Balm after wiping. Even if not after every wipe, apply a thin layer 4 to 6 times a day.
5. Wash your hands. Washing after wiping your nose means fewer people around you catch the cold.

Routine: when and how much

• Morning face wash: lukewarm water and a mild cleanser such as Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser Normal To Dry & Sensitive Skin. Do not rub around the nose; just splash gently and pat dry.
• After washing: balm under and beside the nose, your usual moisturiser on the rest of the face.
• During the day: another thin layer after each wipe, or at least every 2 to 3 hours.
• Before bed: a slightly thicker layer. If your nose runs more at night, this is what protects the skin.
• Before going out: apply balm, then wear a mask so cold air does not hit the skin directly.

Keep the rest of your facial routine simple while you have a cold. To see the whole day, read the 24-hour winter skincare routine.

Common mistakes

• Peeling off the flakes. This exposes raw skin underneath, increases pain and opens a path for germs. Let the skin shed on its own.
• Scrubs, toners or acids on the raw area. For the days you have a cold, stop exfoliators, AHA/BHA and acne gels around the nose.
• Aftershave or anything with alcohol. It stings a lot.
• Toothpaste or lemon. Some people use them to dry the area out; they burn the skin.
• Sharing tissues or handkerchiefs. Both colds and skin infections spread this way.

The Bangladesh reality

As soon as winter arrives, every household has a cold going round. School children pass it to each other, and it travels from home to office. Dust and smoke make the nose sting more. Cheap shop tissues are often very rough, and many people wipe their nose again and again on the end of a sari or a gamchha. The fix is simple: a box of soft tissues at home, and one small tube of balm for everyone. Put a small tube in your child's school bag and ask them to apply it after tiffin. For general sensitive-skin care, read winter care for sensitive skin. For questions about other body areas, see the body areas section of our Winter FAQ.

When to see a doctor

Ordinary peeling heals within a few days with balm. But see a doctor if you notice:

• Honey-coloured yellow crusts or sticky sores under the nose or at the corners of the mouth. This may be impetigo, a bacterial infection that spreads easily among children.
• Small fluid-filled blisters, with burning or tingling. This may be a cold sore (herpes).
• Redness spreading quickly, or the area is hot, swollen or very painful.
• Sores inside the nose that keep bleeding or do not heal.
• Fever, or a cold lasting more than 10 days.
• No improvement after 1 to 2 weeks of using balm.
• A baby under 3 months with a cold or fever should always see a doctor promptly.

Do not apply antibiotic or steroid creams on your own. A doctor will decide what is needed.

Why authentic products matter

Whatever you put on raw skin needs to be genuine. A fake cream with unknown fragrance or ingredients makes the stinging worse. TheSkinProof is an invoice-verified skincare marketplace. Every product's supply invoice is checked, and if a product is proven counterfeit you get 2× your money back when you claim within 7 days of delivery. Delivery across Bangladesh, cash on delivery available.

Prices as of 23 October 2026, from our live catalogue; the product page shows the current price.