Your nose is likely oily because your sebaceous glands are producing more oil than necessary to keep your skin hydrated. The sebaceous glands beneath the pores in your skin are responsible for producing the natural oils, also known as sebum, that keep your skin healthy.
The main cause of an overproduction of sebum is hormonal imbalances, including as a result of puberty and pregnancy. “As well as hormones, heat, exercise and genetics play a part,” says Kate Kerr, acclaimed clinical facialist.
Wash with a gentle soap and warm water. Avoid soaps with fragrances, added moisturizers, or harsh chemicals, which can irritate or dry out the skin, making it respond by creating more sebum. Avoid loofahs and rough washcloths, as added friction may stimulate the skin to make more oil.
Though you may be tempted to squeeze or otherwise get rid of a sebaceous filament, it's best to leave them alone. Squeezing or picking at sebaceous filaments risks scarring and spreading any bacteria that may be in or around the pore to other parts of your face, causing a breakout.
It's irreversible damage,” says Dr. Henry. Damaging your skin by squeezing or picking can also cause inflammation, hyperpigmentation and scarring. Squeezing additionally introduces bacteria, oil and dirt from your hands into your pores, which can lead to more blackheads.
A person who produces too much sebum may be more likely to develop clogged pores. Stress, genetics, hormonal changes, and humidity can cause the overproduction of sebum. Nose pores can also become clogged with substances such as makeup or sunscreen.
A sebum plug can look like a tiny bump under the surface of the skin or it may stick out through the skin like a grain of sand. When a sebum plug forms, bacteria that normally lives harmlessly on the surface of your skin can start to grow within the follicle. Inflammation follows, causing a breakout.
Try oil cleansing
Oil dissolves oil, so an oil cleanser can actually eliminate excess sebum, as well as daily dirt and grime (aka, the exact recipe for sebaceous filaments). "I especially like oil cleansers for oily, congested skin," says Britta Plug, holistic esthetician and mbg Collective member.
Salicylic acid - The OG degreaser, salicylic acid will help to break down sebum that is trapped or plugged in your pores. Look for treatments and washes with 2% salicylic acid, which is strong enough to remove excess oil and exfoliate dead cells but won't dry out your skin.
Pores on the nose are a permanent and important part of the face. There is no way to shrink the pores or make them disappear completely. That said, regular hygiene and other skin care practices may help ensure that the pores stay clear and unclogged and reduce bacteria and dead skin cells.
The directions on a box of pore strips generally go like this: Wet your nose with a generous amount of water. After peeling any backing off, smooth the pore strip onto your nose, starting from the bridge and working your way out, and leave on for 10 to 15 minutes.
Some foods rich in good fats, or polyunsaturated fats, include fatty fish, chia seeds, flax seeds, and walnuts. Most people think of salmon when they think of fatty fish; however, coldwater fish like sardines and mackerel can also be a great source of omega-3 fats, and thus can help increase sebum production.
Dr. Purvisha Patel, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Visha Skincare, says that while squeezing a sebaceous filament can make a “stringy, wormlike structure come out of the pores,” it's best to leave them alone.
Controlling the amount of oil on the skin and using exfoliating skin care products can help keep the pores clear. This may minimize the appearance of sebaceous filaments. Use gentle products that cleanse the skin to prevent overdrying and irritation. The best product will depend on the person's skin type.
The American Academy of Dermatology Association strongly advises againstextracting or squeezing out the sebaceous filaments as trying to do so can injure the skin and cause scarring. Moreover, it can also damage and stretch the pore, making it look bigger.
While sebaceous filaments aren't a big issue, many people have them removed for cosmetic purposes, which might be why Lee was having a little fun ripping them out — one by one — with the tweezers.
Dead skin cells can build up and clog pores on the nose, which can make them appear larger. Exfoliating — either physically or chemically — can remove these dead skin cells. Physical exfoliation products contain rough substances that remove dead skin cells with gentle scrubbing.
Vitamin D. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that works alongside our sebaceous glands to regulate sebum production. Vitamin D helps our bodies protect against insulin resistance which can lead to oily skin as insulin stimulates the overproduction of sebum.