Maybe my skin isn’t in the best shape. Or maybe it’s perfectly normal for a 29-year-old, and we’ve all just been conditioned to believe otherwise—surrounded by filtered faces, Botox-smooth foreheads, and filler-plumped features across both social media and traditional media alike.

I grew up in a sunny place, spending my childhood summers completely carefree—swimming for hours in the salty sea, rolling in scalding sand, and drying off with long walks along the shore that often elevated my shoulders to a tan-lobster like coloration. It was beautiful. But all those years of sun exposure definitely left their mark.

Now, I live somewhere where sunshine is rare, with even summer months often shrouded in grey clouds and thunderstorms. My skin has gone from sun-kissed tan to an “Are you sick?” kind of pale. I’ve come to realize most of those concerned questions stem from my dark circles—though they’re actually genetic, and I’ve had them since I was a kid, they do become more prominent the paler I get.

Freckles and subtle sun damage spots are scattered across my skin, along with slight pigmentation around my nostrils from visible capillary vessels. My freckles even extend to my lips—a detail I hadn’t thought much about until recently. My skin itself is delicate and thin, with an oily T-zone and areas where the vessels underneath show through. It’s also reactive—certain products have left me red, itchy, or with a burning sensation.

Lately, I’ve noticed the first signs of wrinkles creeping in—mostly on my forehead and around my eyes. I don’t oppose Botox in moderation, but I’m not quite ready to try it yet. As for anti-aging creams? I’ll admit, I’m skeptical. Can any skincare product truly make a significant difference without cosmetic procedures? I don’t know. But maybe, as I go deeper into this skincare journey, I’ll be surprised!