Nasal strips on oily skin: 8 ways to keep them on

If you have oily skin, a nasal strip will stay on much better when it goes onto a nose that has just been washed with a gentle cleanser, dried completely and kept free of creams. Most strips that peel off overnight never bonded properly in the first place. Here are eight ways to fix that, from the sink to the pillow.

It's worth the effort. A strip opens the front of the nose from the outside: in a 1997 placebo-controlled study of 53 athletes, strips significantly increased the area of the nasal valve, the narrowest part of the nasal airway. A 2016 meta-analysis also noted that nasal dilators improve nasal breathing. None of that happens if the strip is on your pillow by midnight.

Why don't oily skin and nasal strips get along?

Strip makers say the adhesive won't stick properly to wet, oily or moisturized skin. Oil sits between the adhesive and your skin, so the strip holds at first and then gradually lets go as the springy bands pull at the edges. Titan gives the same instruction for its own strips: skip moisturizer, because oils stop the adhesive from gripping.

There aren't studies on nasal strips and oily skin in particular. The tips below come from strip makers' instructions, dermatologists' advice on oily skin and clinical guidance on using medical adhesives, which applies well to a small strip on the nose.

Before the strip goes on

Wash with a gentle foaming cleanser

A gentle foaming cleanser works better than scrubbing hard to strip the oil away. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) says a face wash that's too harsh can irritate your skin and trigger more oil production. It recommends a mild, gentle foaming face wash instead. The AAD's face washing advice is to use lukewarm water, apply the cleanser with your fingertips and avoid scrubbing. Wash your nose as part of your bedtime routine, shortly before the strip goes on.

Skip the alcohol wipe

An alcohol wipe seems like a quick way to de-grease, but it's not the best prep. The AAD advises people with oily skin not to use oil-based or alcohol-based cleansers, because they can irritate the skin. A 2025 evidence summary on medical adhesives also recommends avoiding products that dry the skin out, giving alcohol as its example. Irritated skin is more likely to get sore when you peel the strip off in the morning.

Dry your nose completely

Water on the skin blocks the adhesive just as oil does. Pat your nose dry with a soft towel, which is how the AAD suggests finishing a face wash, then give it a few seconds in the air. The 2025 evidence summary on medical adhesives makes the same point: apply the adhesive only once the skin is dry.

Keep creams and makeup off your nose

Moisturizer, sunscreen, night cream and makeup all leave a film the strip can't grip through. Put them on the rest of your face after the strip is on, or leave the nose out when you apply them. The AAD also says not to sleep in makeup, so a full cleanse at bedtime helps your skin and your strip at once.

Putting it on

Blot right before you apply

If some time passes between washing and bed, oil can return. The AAD suggests blotting papers for oily skin and advises pressing the paper gently against your face for a few seconds without rubbing, because rubbing spreads the oil around. Press one onto the sides of your nose just before the strip goes on.

Lay the strip on without stretching it

The 2025 evidence summary recommends applying adhesives without tension and pressing them down gently without creases. For a nasal strip, that means centering it just above the flare of your nostrils and letting it settle across your nose rather than pulling the ends tight to make it reach. Our guide to putting on a nasal strip covers placement in detail.

Press and rub the ends

Strip makers say to press down the ends and rub gently to secure the strip in place. Run a finger along each end for a few seconds, then check that there are no wrinkles where it could start to peel. Slight lifting at the very edges is normal, according to strip makers, and is a sign the strip is opening your nose.

During the night

Keep your hands off it

Once it's on, leave it alone. The AAD points out that touching your face spreads oil from your hands to your skin, and on a strip, that oil ends up right at the edges you need to stay stuck. If you tend to check it in bed, press it back down with a clean, dry finger instead of lifting it. If it does come off, use a fresh one, since strip makers say each strip is single use and not to reapply it.

What if the strip still won't stay on?

If a strip still won't stay on, remember that good prep solves most problems, but a few others can look like an oily skin issue:

• The strip is sitting too high. Strip makers place it just above where the nose flares out, and Titan says its strips belong on the soft part of the nose, not the bony bridge.
• The size is wrong. Strip makers say not to cut a strip to fit, because that can stop it working, so try the other size instead.
• The skin is irritated from the night before. Don't put a strip over sores, sunburn or irritated skin, and give your nose a night off if it's sore. Nasal strip skin irritation explains how to keep your skin comfortable.

Our 12 tips for getting more out of nasal strips and 9 common nasal strip mistakes cover the rest. In the morning, wet the strip with warm water for about 10 seconds and lift each side slowly, which is how strip makers recommend removing it. They also say not to wear a strip for more than 12 hours a day.

A strip that stays on is a good tool for a nose that feels narrow at night. If you're using one for snoring, remember the limits. The 2016 meta-analysis found that nasal dilators haven't been shown to improve sleep apnea. The NHS says to see a doctor if your breathing stops and starts while you sleep, you make gasping or choking noises, or you feel sleepy during the day.

Our pick (paid partner)

If you want a strip to try with these tips, our pick is TitanAir Nasal Strips. Titan says to apply them to clean, dry skin and skip moisturizer, to place them just above the flare of the nostrils on the soft part of the nose, and to loosen them with warm water and peel slowly from the ends inward. Titan describes them as drug-free with flexible spring-loaded bands, says they're third-party tested and certified PFAS-free, and offers a 30-night guarantee.

For more guides, browse the nasal strips topic.

Read next

• Which nasal strips suit sensitive skin
• How long can you wear a nasal strip?
• Why nasal strips sometimes don't work

* This content is for informational and educational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or health condition. Talk to a qualified healthcare provider about your health.