Woman Goes 22 Years Without Removing Makeup — Here Is Her Face Now
A cautionary tale is going viral in China — and it may make you think twice before skipping your skincare routine. A 37-year-old woman from Jilin province, identified as Ms. Gao, shocked viewers after revealing that she hadn’t properly removed her makeup for 22 years. Her story, shared through a now-viral video on Chinese social media, shows the extreme consequences of long-term neglect of proper skincare and an over-reliance on cosmetic cover-up.
According to Gao, her obsession with makeup began at age 15 after secretly trying on her mother’s lipstick. She quickly became addicted to wearing cosmetics but found the makeup removal process “too troublesome.” Instead of using proper cleansers, she rinsed her face with water and reapplied makeup the next day — a routine she stuck with for more than two decades.
Her skin paid the price. Gao’s face became painfully swollen, inflamed, and hardened into a thick, red crust. In the video, she compares her appearance to a “wrinkled and hideous” version of herself, lamenting: “The itch is unbearable… I don’t dare to go out or meet people.”
Her symptoms, which include a burning sensation, tightening, and dense red rashes, have drawn comparisons online to Guan Gong, the Chinese deity known for his crimson face. Her visibly puffy and discolored complexion even made it difficult for her to open her eyes.
Despite the alarming symptoms, Gao initially avoided seeing a dermatologist. Instead, she sought help from a medical aesthetics clinic, receiving a “skin booster” injection — a move that reportedly worsened her condition, leaving her skin stiff and tinted with a disturbing purple hue.
Some medical experts have cast doubt on Gao’s claims, suggesting that the damage may stem from other causes, such as overuse of harsh skincare products, botched aesthetic procedures, or steroid-laced creams. Dermatologists speculate her symptoms resemble rosacea or steroid-induced dermatitis rather than just poor hygiene.
However, many viewers pointed to a deeper issue beneath the viral spectacle: the psychological toll of beauty standards and the stigma around imperfect skin. While her story has drawn criticism and curiosity, it also highlights the consequences of long-term skin neglect — and the pressure to maintain a flawless appearance, no matter the cost.
