Not everyone believes her story.
Koreaboo
Leaving your makeup on, even just for one night, can lead to unpleasant consequences, such as an acne breakout or irritated skin. But what happens if you don’t wash your face properly for twenty-two years?
A 37-year-old woman from Jilin, China–known online as Gao–went viral after she revealed that she hasn’t washed all her makeup off since she was a teenager. For decades, she has rinsed her face with water–no soap or cleansers–and reapplied her makeup.
Now, Gao seems to be paying the price for her skincare routine, or lack thereof. Her face is no longer its natural color: it’s bright red and inflamed, causing her plenty of discomfort and emotional distress. In her viral video, Gao described her face as “wrinkled and hideous,” and said that she doesn’t try to make new friends or go out anymore.
The itch is unbearable. I hide at home every day. I don’t dare to go out.
— Gao
How did she get to this point? What started as a fascination with her mother’s lipstick at age 15 became an obsession for Gao. She didn’t feel like washing off her makeup each day because that was “too troublesome.” Surprisingly, Gao’s skin remained relatively problem-free for twenty-one of those twenty-two years.
Earlier this year, however, Gao experienced an allergic reaction that caused her face to swell to the point of deformation. Unfortunately, the “skin booster” injection she received to treat her skin afterwards only made things worse, adding a purple tint to her skin while robbing it of elasticity and moisture.
Although some netizens have expressed sympathy for Gao, not everyone is convinced. Dermatologists have reportedly weighed in, expressing their doubts about her story. They say the symptoms point to a host of other causes–such as rosacea and dermatitis–rather than improper washing.
Going twenty-two years without a proper cleanse is bad, sure — but what we’re seeing here is more complex. There could be a mix of harsh products, possible steroid misuse, or repeated injections involved.
— Dermatologist
Years ago, a Korean woman also went viral for not removing her makeup. Read her story here:
The Korean Woman Who Went Viral For Not Removing Her Makeup For 2 Years
