9 Causes Of Nose Acne: What's The Difference Between Strawberry Nose And Rosacea?

The nose is one of the most acne-prone areas of the face due to its tendency to get oily. Many people start to worry when they get a pimple on their nose tip, thanks to an old superstition that it signals financial loss. But don't worry—nose pimples aren’t a sign of bad luck. They're more likely linked to factors like irregular lifestyle habits and an unhealthy diet.

If you’re struggling with nose pimples, this article will help you identify their symptoms, understand the causes, and learn how to prevent and treat them effectively. As 2024 draws to a close, let’s leave the pain and discomfort of acne in the past!

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4 Signs of Pimples on the Nose Tip

1. Red and Swollen Pimples

Pimples on the nose are often red and inflamed due to internal heat and dampness in the lungs or stomach. These may also come with oily but dehydrated skin, redness on the nose and cheeks, and a burning, itchy sensation.

Swelling on the nose could also be a sign of rosacea, a condition caused by dilated capillaries leading to redness and persistent flushing. Over time, it can cause the nose to become enlarged. Rosacea cannot be treated using typical acne remedies—it requires specific laser or IPL treatments. Early diagnosis by a doctor is key to faster recovery.

2. Purple or Brownish Pimples

Some nose pimples appear purplish or coffee-colored, often resembling cystic acne with visible bruising. This could be due to poor blood circulation and blood stasis. It’s common in people with “cold” body constitutions—those who experience cold hands and feet, pale complexion, swelling, or diarrhea.

These types of pimples are prone to scarring, so avoid squeezing or rubbing them. Instead, avoid heaty foods, eat blood- and kidney-nourishing foods, and exercise regularly to boost circulation.

3. Blackheads – “Strawberry Nose”

The nose is the most common place for blackheads, being the most prominent part of the face and the first to come into contact with airborne pollutants. In recent years, frequent mask-wearing has increased friction around the nose and trapped hot, humid air, causing a rise in blackheads—commonly known as “strawberry nose.” If these blackheads become infected, they can turn into inflamed pimples.

4. Enlarged Pores on the Nose

Repeated blackheads and manual extraction procedures (like squeezing or using extraction tools) can enlarge pores. If acne heals without enough collagen regeneration, it can lead to pitted scars.

With age, skin loses firmness, and the pores on the nose may take on a teardrop shape, making it easier for impurities to clog them—starting a vicious cycle of blackheads and acne.

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Why Is the Nose Tip Prone to Pimples? — Western Medical Perspective

Cause 1: Overactive Sebaceous Glands

The nose area has a high concentration of sebaceous glands and hair follicles. It’s part of the T-zone, which tends to be oily. Excess sebum clogs pores, causing blackheads, pimples, and the appearance of a strawberry nose.

Cause 2: Thickened Stratum Corneum

The skin on and around the nose is prone to excess keratin buildup, which blocks pores and leads to comedones (clogged pores). When bacteria invade these comedones, they develop into inflamed acne.

Cause 3: Mask Friction

Masks don’t just cause chin acne—they can also cause nose pimples due to the friction from the nose strip. Prolonged rubbing irritates the skin, and trapped sweat under the mask can’t evaporate properly, promoting breakouts.

Cause 4: Inappropriate Skincare or Makeup

If you have oily or combination skin and use oily skincare or makeup products, they can clog your pores and trigger breakouts. Makeup can also settle into the pores on your nose, further increasing the risk of acne.

Cause 5: Environmental Pollution

Invisible pollutants in the air—like carbon dioxide, vehicle emissions, fine particles from combustion, dust, and chemicals—can irritate the skin on your nose and cause acne.

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What Does Traditional Chinese Medicine Say About Nose Pimples?

Cause 6: Excess Stomach Fire and Lung Heat

In TCM, the location of acne can reflect internal imbalances. Pimples on the nose often indicate two issues:

• Stomach fire: Triggered by spicy, greasy foods, it increases stomach acid, leading to hunger, indigestion, bad breath, bloating, constipation, and foul-smelling stool.
• Lung heat: Characterized by dry mouth, sore throat, cough, toothache, red eyes, and is also linked to spicy foods and staying up late—both of which can inflame hair follicles.

Cause 7: Hormonal Fluctuations

Before menstruation, women often get breakouts in specific areas—especially around the nose and nostrils. This is due to rising estrogen and progesterone levels, which boost sebum production, clogging pores and triggering breakouts.

Cause 8: Skin Irritation

Excess lung heat can cause dryness and nosebleeds, and may even make the nose peel. Over-exfoliating or excessively scrubbing blackheads damages the skin barrier, causing imbalances in oil and water levels. This leads to more sebum production, inflammation, and sensitivity—resulting in more acne.

Cause 9: Poor Qi and Blood Circulation

Besides spicy food and harsh friction, lifestyle habits like frequent late nights, high stress, emotional instability, lack of exercise, and prolonged sitting or standing can impair blood flow and toxin elimination—leading to inflammation and more nose pimples.

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Who’s More Prone to Nose Pimples, and How to Improve the Condition?

1. People with Oily or Combination Skin

Excess sebum is the main culprit behind blackheads and acne. If you're wearing masks often, opt for breathable ones and replace them if they become humid.

Cleanse your T-zone more thoroughly, exfoliate weekly to prevent keratin buildup, and stop acne before it starts.

2. People Using Inappropriate Skincare or Makeup

If your products are too oily or don’t suit your skin type, they can worsen sebum production and clog pores.

Choose oil-control and hydrating products for oily skin, and avoid irritating ingredients like alcohol, AHAs, tea tree oil, preservatives, and artificial fragrance. Proper cleansing and regular exfoliation can also help.

3. People With Hormonal Fluctuations

During menstruation, pregnancy, or puberty, hormone shifts increase sebum production. This can’t be solved with skincare alone—adjust your diet, get enough rest and sleep, drink plenty of water, and exercise to support hormonal balance.

4. People With “Heaty” Constitutions

Those with internal heat often produce more sebum and deeper red, pus-filled pimples. They also have larger pores and more blackheads.

Avoid spicy, greasy, and heaty foods like red meat, hotpot, fried snacks, and alcohol. Don’t stay up late. Eat clean, high-fiber foods to support digestion and detoxification. Heaty individuals often have dark, smelly stools—an indicator of internal toxins that can also age the skin. Drink plenty of water and go for detoxifying foods and teas like peppermint, chrysanthemum, honeysuckle, monk fruit, Chinese yam soup, and apples.

5. People With Rosacea

Rosacea is not caused by drinking too much alcohol—it’s a skin disorder characterized by red, dilated blood vessels, and inflamed, pus-filled bumps that resemble acne. It’s related to genetics, sun exposure, poor blood circulation, harsh products, spicy food, high temperatures, and even mites.

Laser and IPL treatments can improve symptoms, but it’s also important to wear sunscreen, avoid heat, and use gentle, non-irritating skincare. Some people may have both rosacea and acne, so skincare should be handled carefully.

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6 Effective Habits to Prevent Nose Pimples

1. Use a gentle facial cleanser and wash your face with cold water twice a day.
2. Exfoliate once a week, focusing on the oily T-zone.
3. Apply moisturizer to lock in hydration and maintain the oil-water balance, preventing overactive oil glands.
4. Use a clay mask once a week to help prevent clogged pores.
5. Apply sunscreen daily—even indoors—to prevent skin aging and dryness.
6. If you have rosacea, consult a doctor rather than using acne products, which are ineffective for rosacea.

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Persistent Nose Pimples Bothering You? Try Perfect Medical’s Acne Treatment!

Typical acne treatments like retinoic acid, salicylic acid, tea tree oil, benzoyl peroxide creams, lasers, and chemical peels can help—but have you heard of vacuum microdermabrasion?

Perfect Medical’s Acne Treatment is like a pore vacuum cleaner. It uses a dual-spiral suction and drainage technique to gently exfoliate the outer 30–35mm of dead skin, impurities, and oil, followed by infusion of medical-grade serums to reduce oil production and restore the skin’s oil-water balance.

The treatment can thoroughly dissolve blackheads and comedones, unclog pores, and reduce inflammation. At the same time, it stimulates skin metabolism and collagen production, boosting skin elasticity and radiance. It helps shrink enlarged pores, fades acne and blackheads more quickly, and reduces the likelihood of future breakouts.

The procedure is painless and non-invasive, leaving no wounds and is completely safe. If you're interested, click the link below to fill in your details and enjoy a free trial session!