This is what normal skin of a 30+ woman looks like without makeup!

[imgettingolder]

I thought this was a rash for so long (doctors ruled out eczema, acne, and rosacea, had treatments for all 3, none worked!) but I asked an AI if this is normal skin for someone 30+ and it told me it's very normal for women 30+ to get red, stinging and bumpy skin like this! When I was 18 my skin was the same colour as my philtrum and that white area just under my bottom lip.I got the big pores and leathery skin in certain lights in the areas that are redder. I miss having my teenage skin back when my skin tone was even LOL

Posting this here since I know these days it's so easy to be misled what normal skin looks like because of filters, heavy makeup, and whatnot. This is untouched, unfiltered, natural, NORMAL skin for a 30+ woman with fair skin and I am proud of it!

I'm 5 foot 3 and 8 stone 3.

So, no. I'm at a normal BMI.

Where did you learn that?

This is not normal, it's some kind of medical condition or reaction to something.

Just because you are a woman doesn't mean you should be putting up with chronic pain.

I heard of someone once who had this sort of thing for years, then found out they were allergic to the latex in their pillow. Any chance it's something like that?

Me and my friends don't wear make up. Can't be bothered with that. No-one is like this.

You saying it's sore and tingly at night is concerning. I have often found out that I have needed to find my own solutions and causes when doctors just don't know.

Since you've had all the checks, have you considered consulting a good, qualified beauty therapist? I did that once when I was having trouble finding solutions for my rosacea and I learned so much that helped. In the end the answer was something else, but less conventional means might give you some help to get comfortable at night.

Lots of sugar? Vitamin D deficient

I honestly doubt I've been having an allergic reaction 24/7 for years, consistently on specific parts of my face that are exposed to the sun more and are known to show signs of ageing more. I'm on cetirizine now for hayfever.

With rosacea, I used to get that crawling feeling. I wonder if you could be sensitive to the normal skin mites we all have? A doctor gave me soolantra for that and it was a miracle. Fixed the rosacea while I was using it too. If you haven't tried that, maybe talk to a doctor about the possibility?

No it won't, most people 30+ do not have sore skin as everyone here is telling you. My skin is only sore if I have a psoriasis flair up, or other reaction.

I know everyone has different skin types and as you age your skin does change but your skin does look very inflamed and sore, I wouldn’t have thought this to be normal skin. Who did the tests on your skin? A GP or a consultant dermatologist? If I were you I would try and see a consultant dermatologist who is an expert in skin conditions. A GP doesn’t have the experience or expertise to diagnose all skin conditions

No. I'm very picky about pillows and been buying the same polyester pillow for over a decade.

I respectfully disagree but if you're ok with having skin like that then crack on.

Was put on Soolantra. It didn't do anything.

Polyester is awful for skin!

It may be normal for you OP to have sore, inflamed skin which tingles but it is by no means the norm for most 30-something year old women. None of my friends or any other 30+ women I know through work, socialising etc have skin like that. Also, the way you refer to aging and 30+ long, happy years makes you sound like you are approaching the end of your life, rather than not even half-way through a normal life span!

I have loads of Vitamin D.

I was also just thinking demodex mites

I'd suggest getting something with natural fibres, like cotton or bamboo. The breathability should help.

No, it isn’t normal or caused by aging. Have you checked the reference ranges of your blood test results?

Polyester pillows are man made fabrics which could irritate the skin. Best are natural fabrics such as cotton or silk

It isn't normal for your skin to be sore and irritated as you age. Truly, it isn't. Your face looks painful and if your skin cannot be rubbed even a little without it bleeding, you have something wrong.

I'd get a second, third, fourth opinion.

I'm also a back sleeper, so I don't see how the pillow would affect me at all.

Yes. Could absolutely be facial mites.

What are the rest of your sheets made of? And clothes? Polyester isn't breathable.

Nope! I was put on Soolantra last year. It didn't do anything with my skin!

You seem to be in denial OP. Every woman on here, some of whom are older than you, are telling you this isn't normal.

I'm in my 40s and obviously am starting to see signs of aging (wrinkles) but I don't have tingling skin nor do I have the visible redness and inflammation. Up to you what you do, keep kidding yourself this is normal despite everyone telling you it isn't or seek medical assistance and hopefully you won't have tingling skin anymore.

It actually is, though! It's known as inflammageing. I'm nearly 33, but I'm fair-skinned so my skin is probably ageing a bit faster compared to people who are less pale.