Nose Smell Blocker? What NasalGuard Is Designed to Do

Searches for a "nose smell blocker" come from all kinds of everyday moments: a rideshare with a strong air freshener, a day of cleaning out the fridge, a long afternoon next to a coworker's lunch. Some of those searches land on NasalGuard, so it is worth giving a plain answer.

This article covers what NasalGuard® Airborne Particle Blocker is designed to do, what it is not designed to do, and where scent actually comes into the picture with its two versions, Unscented and Cool Menthol.

The short answer: a particle blocker, not a nose smell blocker

NasalGuard is designed for everyday airborne particles such as dust and pet dander. It is not designed or labeled to block smells, and we do not describe it that way.

Smells and particles are different things. The substances around you release invisible odor molecules, and those molecules are what your sense of smell picks up. Dust and pet dander are particles, and particles are what NasalGuard's barrier is designed around.

So if you are looking for something to stop you from noticing an odor, NasalGuard is not that product. If you want a simple barrier step for everyday airborne particles, keep reading.

What NasalGuard is designed to do

NasalGuard® Airborne Particle Blocker is an invisible, drug-free gel applied around the outside of the nostrils and above the upper lip to help reduce inhalation of everyday airborne particles such as dust and pet dander.

The way it works is simple to describe. NasalGuard uses positive ion technology to create an invisible gel barrier around the outside of the nostrils, designed to help reduce contact with everyday airborne particles. Our explainer on positive ion technology goes deeper on that idea, and how the invisible gel barrier works walks through it step by step.

A few details people often ask about:

• The gel is opaque and milky white in the tube and on your fingertip, and it goes on invisibly once spread.
• It is applied on the skin outside the nose, around the nostrils and above the upper lip.
• It is a barrier step you add to your day, with reapplication according to the current directions and after the area becomes wet.

What it is not designed to do

Being clear about the limits is part of using any product well. NasalGuard Airborne Particle Blocker is:

• Not a smell or odor blocker. Its labeling covers everyday airborne particles, not odors.
• Not inserted into the nose. Use only as directed. Apply it around the outside of the nostrils and above the upper lip. It is not intended to be inserted into the nose.
• Not a medicine or a drug. It is an externally applied barrier gel. For questions about your health, talk with a healthcare professional.

If a website, video, or post describes NasalGuard as something beyond an externally applied barrier for everyday airborne particles, go by the current product directions instead.

Where scent comes in: Unscented and Cool Menthol

Scent is a real part of choosing NasalGuard, just not in the "block smells" sense. The everyday Airborne Particle Blocker and the For Air Travelers line both come in two versions:

• Unscented has no added menthol or fragrance.
• Cool Menthol adds menthol and fragrance, so you will notice a light, cool scent right where you apply it.

Here is the full ingredient list: Purified Water, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Potassium Sorbate, Glycerin, Benzalkonium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Steareth-2, Dimethicone, Menthol, Fragrance. Menthol and fragrance are in the Cool Menthol versions.

In everyday terms, that is a water-and-gel base, ingredients that give it a smooth, even feel, preservatives that keep the gel in good condition in the tube, and, for Cool Menthol, the menthol and fragrance that give it its scent. Our plain-language ingredients guide has a little more on each group.

One point worth stating plainly: Cool Menthol is a scent preference. It is not designed to cover up or block other smells.

Choosing a scent for your day

Since both versions are the same barrier step, the choice comes down to how you want it to feel and where you will wear it.

Unscented tends to suit

• Shared spaces like an open office, a classroom, or a long flight.
• Days when you are already wearing a perfume or cologne you do not want to compete with.
• Time in the kitchen, when you would rather not have a scent near your face while you cook.

Cool Menthol tends to suit

• People who like a light, cool feel when they apply it.
• Commutes, walks, and errands where a little scent is welcome.
• Anyone who wants an easy cue that it is on, since the gel itself goes on invisibly.

Size is the other choice. A 3g tube fits a pocket or carry-on, and a 10g tube is easy to keep in a desk drawer or by the door. One easy setup is one of each.

How to apply it

Application is the same for both scents:

1. Place a small amount on a fingertip. The gel is milky white at this stage.
2. Spread it between the thumb and finger.
3. Apply around the outside of the nostrils and above the upper lip.

Reapply according to the current directions and after the area becomes wet. The label has the details on how much to use and when to reapply.

Frequently asked questions

Does NasalGuard block smells?

No. NasalGuard Airborne Particle Blocker is designed to help reduce contact with everyday airborne particles such as pollen, dust, and pet dander. It is not designed or labeled to block smells or odors. Odors come from invisible odor molecules, which are different from the particles NasalGuard's invisible gel barrier is designed around.

Does NasalGuard have a scent?

That depends on the version. Unscented has no added menthol or fragrance. Cool Menthol contains menthol and fragrance, so it has a light, cool scent where you apply it. Both versions are the same externally applied barrier step for everyday airborne particles, so you can pick whichever feel you prefer for your day.

Does NasalGuard go inside the nose?

No. Use only as directed. Apply it around the outside of the nostrils and above the upper lip. It is not intended to be inserted into the nose. Place a small amount on a fingertip, spread it between the thumb and finger, and then apply it to that outer area. Reapply according to the current directions.

Is NasalGuard a medicine?

No. NasalGuard Airborne Particle Blocker is not a medicine or a drug. It is an externally applied barrier gel that uses positive ion technology to create an invisible gel barrier around the outside of the nostrils. For questions about your health, please talk with a healthcare professional.

NasalGuard® Airborne Particle Blocker is an invisible, drug-free gel applied around the outside of the nostrils and above the upper lip to help reduce inhalation of everyday airborne particles such as pollen, dust, and pet dander. Start with the Unscented 3g tube or the Cool Menthol 3g tube, and use as directed. Questions about sizes or shipping are covered on our FAQ page.

Sources:

• NasalGuard Airborne Particle Blocker ingredient list (NasalGuard)