TV presenter Ulrika Jonsson has opened up about her journey with sun-damaged skin and the subsequent public criticism she received.

Facing Public Scrutiny

Jonsson shared her experience after appearing on Spencer Matthews’ Untapped podcast, where she discussed her life, including her sobriety. She noted she hadn’t considered the visual aspect of the audio platform and appeared with minimal makeup – moisturizer and mascara only.

This led to a harsh reaction on social media, with comments focusing on her appearance, such as being “aged badly.” Despite her daughter, Bo, encouraging her to focus on positive feedback, Jonsson found the negative remarks deeply upsetting.

A History of Skin Concerns

The criticism was particularly painful given Jonsson’s lifelong struggle with skin issues. She has battled eczema since childhood, triggered by stress and allergies, which made her skin unreliable.

Ironically, she was previously led to believe the sun was beneficial for her skin, encouraged to use UV lamps, sunbeds, and astringent creams. Growing up in the 70s and 80s, sun protection wasn’t a priority, and achieving a tan was the goal.

Recognizing the Damage

As someone with Nordic heritage, Jonsson actively sought out sunlight due to limited daylight. While she still appreciates the uplifting effect of the sun, she now acknowledges the long-term damage it caused.

Jonsson stated she always prioritized her work over her appearance and that the sudden loss of her father at 53 instilled a sense of life’s fragility.

Treatment and Reflection

Jonsson has undergone several treatments at the Define Clinic to address the sun damage, including HIFU, Juläine, BBL + Moxi, Hydrafacial, laser resurfacing, anti-wrinkle injections, and dermal fillers. She has consistently used La Mer moisturizer for decades.

She understood there would be consequences for her past sun habits, but the intensity of the public reaction was disheartening, even for someone with strong feminist principles.