TV presenter Ulrika Jonsson has opened up about her experience with sun-damaged skin and the harsh criticism she received on social media following a podcast appearance.

Facing Public Reaction

Jonsson shared that she experienced a wave of relief when offered treatment for her sun-damaged skin, having previously accepted the consequences of years spent sunbathing without adequate protection. The opportunity for treatment arose after appearing on Spencer Matthews’ Untapped podcast, where she discussed her life, including her sobriety.

She noted she hadn’t fully considered the visual aspect of modern audio platforms. Appearing with minimal makeup – moisturizer and mascara – she faced a strong public reaction. Social media commentary was often critical, with comments like ‘aged badly’ being prominent.

Daughter's Support & Personal Struggles

While her daughter, Bo, encouraged her to focus on positive feedback, Jonsson found the negative remarks difficult to ignore. This upset her deeply, not only due to the superficial judgment of her appearance but also because of her lifelong struggle with skin issues.

From childhood, Jonsson battled with eczema, triggered by stress and allergies, which made her skin unreliable.

A History of Sun Exposure

Ironically, Jonsson was previously led to believe the sun was beneficial for her skin, encouraged to use UV lamps, sunbeds, and sea salt baths – practices common in the 1970s and 80s when sun protection was minimal. Growing up in a Nordic climate with limited daylight, she actively sought out the sun’s uplifting effects.

She admitted that premature aging wasn’t a major concern in her 20s, although she did occasionally use SPF.

Career & Perspective

Jonsson acknowledged her appearance played a role in her career, often being described as ‘easy on the eye,’ but she never placed significant value on it, prioritizing her work ethic. Her father’s death at age 53 instilled in her a sense of life’s fragility, and she hadn’t anticipated living beyond 50.

Now approaching 59, she finds herself subjected to scrutiny based solely on her appearance.

Treatments & Skincare

Jonsson has explored various treatments to address the sun damage, including HIFU, Juläine, BBL + Moxi, Hydrafacial, laser resurfacing, anti-wrinkle injections, and dermal fillers, all administered at the Define Clinic. Her skincare routine has always been simple, relying on La Mer moisturizer for decades.

Despite her feminist principles, she admits it’s difficult to completely disregard the impact of these judgments.