Cover - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2022	Nov. 04, 2022
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2022
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-37880
Entity Registrant Name	Novan, Inc.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	20-4427682
Entity Address, Address Line One	4020 Stirrup Creek Drive, Suite 110
Entity Address, City or Town	Durham,
Entity Address, State or Province	NC
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	27703
City Area Code	919
Local Phone Number	485-8080
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.0001 par value
Trading Symbol	NOVN
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		24,462,228
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2022
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Entity Central Index Key	0001467154