Tight skin on face for 25 years now

When I was 5 During a snowy winter the skin around my nose and chin felt tight and uncomfortable and not knowing how to ease it I used to wet my fingers and rub the area which wasn't a great idea seeing as it created a horrid rash round my nose chin and mouth, this got so uncomfortable I couldn't bear it, my mum tried every cream and old wives tale she could think of from vasaline, nivea,e45 and the list goes on I am now 30 and still suffering, I no longer have the red rash but I cannot go more that 30-60 min without applying moisturiser as the skin still feels tight, the skin is not dry or tight to look at, I'm using oilatum now and have been for 3 years thus gas been the best cream I've tried as it's not oily and keeps the skin moisturiser fir longer but even with this I cannot last more before it getting uncomfortable, this greatly effects my life because I'm arranging my wedding and panicking as to how I'm gonna cope not being able to have my cream, I do not wear makeup as it makes my face feel dry and tighter, and with constantly touching my face putting cream on causes me spots, I've tried many types of cleanser and washes etc and nothing helps, one gp suggested I had a mild form of scleraderma and one said perioral dermatitis, I'm in acne tablets to help with the spots and have been for 6 months but they are not really making a difference. I can deal with the spots but I woul like to be rid of the tight skin so I don't need to put cream on all the time, it's been 25 years now

[Jasmina Jankicevic, MD, MSc, CCRP]

Welcome to the Dermatology Expert Forum! Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! Please, try to enjoy your wedding preparations (move the focus from your skin to your heart), and be happy. We shall try to help you as much as possible with information relevant to your skin concerns.

Description you provided is potential clinical description of many skin diseases (eczema, periorificial dermatitis, seborrhoic dermatitis, even rosacea, acne or folliculitis) – redness, dryness with feeling of skin tightness, and “spots” (what kind of spots you did not describe).

Skin should be evaluated in person, by a dermatologist who should dedicate time to your medical history as well. You seem to be at the stage of skin changes were topical medications might be needed to initiate and speed up skin recovery. However, feel free to put some pictures with good resolution (clear and detailed) on your MedHelp profile page and we shall take a look and share our impressions related to probable diagnosis.

In the meantime, you should check the products you use – they should be hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, moisturizing  creams.  

Also, stop touching your face and applying products as often as you did. Two to three times a day of the right topical therapy and skincare should be sufficient.

Finally, being anxious about it is not helping, on the contrary.


Wishing You Optimal Health and a Happy, Memorable Wedding,
Dr Jasmina Jankicevic