Am I the only woman in the UK whose..

That's tough, OP, I'm sorry to hear this is causing you such anxiety. Why don't you try going to the GP and explain both about the anxiety and how it's limiting your life and about the skin issues. They might be able to refer you for counselling and to a dermatologist. The online group that someone recommended sounds worth a look too.

Why don't you talk to your husband about it? Rather than starting by showing him if that freaks you out too much. He loves you, he's going to want to help.

My DH and I have been married for 12 years and he's never seen me with a full face of make-up.

I'm sorry you feel you need to cover your face from him, that must be so difficult. I think you should listen to others advice and see a dermatologist. Just think of all the money you'd save if you didn't have to constantly wear make-up!

Have you seen a GP, OP? They can prescribe treatment and/or refer you to a dermatologist.

I haven't seen a dermatologist because I would have to take my makeup off to show them. They deal with all kinds of skin complaints; they will have seen MUCH worse!

Years ago I had a partner whom I adored. I would remove make up very late at night and dim the lights. I would get up half an hour before he woke up so I could put make up on.
These days (different partner) he has seen me with and without make up. Will comment if we are going out and I wear it but truly wouldn't worry if not.
Been together 15 years and will still whistle when I pop downstairs wrapped in just a towel and bedraggled hair from shower.
Please talk to him as previous posters have said.
💐

www.beautybay.com/p/the-ordinary/100-organic-cold-pressed-rose-hip-seed-oil/

Bless you, I'm sorry you feel that is necessary. Your husband probably wouldn't even notice if you stopped (I mean that in a good way).

I only wear makeup when I feel very pressured in to it (weddings etc ) because I hate the way it feels on my face and I know DM will scowl unless I've made myself look like a different person

In every day life I do flannel/soap, out the door.

It just seems a bizarre custom, that only women are subjected to really. I have autism, so that also may be why I don't see the point in it.

@LovelyIssues

Try healsporin cream- its great for cracked, inflamed, red, dry, sore skin- it has sea buckthorn oil in it which is great for roscecea - you can get it on amazon and its not expensive

Check out a brand called “the ordinary” they have a lot of brilliant things for the burnt face. I think it’s rosehip oil and an acid type moisturiser. Google it and follow the regime. It worked for my friend. Do you also have issues with your eyes? They sometimes go hand in hand. Rosacea can be linked with eye issues like blepharitis. Get tea tree oil eye wipes. Use them twice a day

he honestly doesn't know

OK, so if you told him would he run screaming for the hills?
Probably not.
Go to a dermatologist.

OP, is your husband a good guy? You're not giving him a lot of credit here. He married you. He's going to see you every day of your life, into your 80s, 90s - do you really expect to still be leaping up at that age to fetch the tinted moisturiser?

This post has reminded me of something. When I was pregnant and throwing up all the time, I also managed to get tonsilitis. I was lying on the couch in my jammies, hadn't even showered or brushed my hair, and DH came home from work and did an absolute double take and said 'you look absolutely beautiful'.

Now, I didn't - but that meant a lot to me, someone who does wear make up all the time. He didn't like me for my perfectly made up face, he loved what was underneath it all a bit more.

This is the saddest thread. I had the worst imaginable adult acne until I was in my mid-40s and finally got put on Roaccutane (honestly, my entire face was regularly one massive infected weeping mess of spots). It was hideous. My husband was never anything other than completely supportive - FFS why wouldn't he be? It's a medical condition like any other. The thought of having to cover up my face and pretend I had perfect skin is just inconceivable. He's your husband - of course he won't be shocked.

I think you have to ask yourself honestly, if you're husband were to be in a car crash tomorrow and his face gets rearranged with horrible scars.... would it change the way you feel about him? If no.... why are you assuming his love for you is based on your looks. You are making him out to be very shallow. You need to sit him down and explain about your condition and how you have been afraid of his reaction. His reaction to that conversation will tell you most of what you need to know. Then you need to show him some info on the condition and then show him what you look like make up free. This way he will have some time to prepare. An 11 year relationship can surely not all be based on looks??

I'm not sure what your financial situation is, but you could look into laser treatment. I've been having vascular laser treatments for redness / red veins, and it really has improved the quality of my skin. Different laser settings help for different issues - e.g. redness / acne / pigmentation. Just make sure you go to someone reputable. They should do patch tests and build up the settings over time.
Last August, at the age of 43, I went to a cosmetic skin clinic for the first time. I had an initial consultation with a doctor, and she talked about different products / procedures that would help with my skin. I'm quite cynical, so have only committed to any of the suggestions after A LOT of thought and research. But she was really spot on about everything, and I look so much better. I really regret not doing this a decade ago.

All this energy, time and expense you've wasted hiding this could have been used to just see a dermatologist and get it fixed, or at least to a comfortable level. Or on a psychologist to sort self-esteem issues.

Make-up really doesn't hide skin problems very well, I bet your husband will not care or be remotely surprised.