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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To dislike my tan

32 replies

ijustdo · 19/07/2026 08:39

I tan very easily, always have. I have used sunscreen and hats etc but the sun does seem to find me.

I go a horrible leathery sort of colour with a yellow tinge and of course it’s uneven. I can’t wait for it to fade. I just caught a glimpse of myself and I look really old and haggard (well, even more so than normal!)

OP posts:
Mischance · 19/07/2026 09:53

I have what politely be called olive skin - I call it a weird yellow colour - and tan in a blink when exposed to the sun. I prefer that to the yellow.

I wear lots of light colours, mainly white and I think it looks great. It lifts the sallow look.

OwlCalledSage · 19/07/2026 09:45

I’m not sure how you end up tanned if you don’t want to?

I make it my mission to avoid the sun at all costs. Only sit in the shade, SPF 50 all year round, wear hats. I manage to not tan at all.

Gowlett · 19/07/2026 09:44

What age are you? You might be entering your leather handbag era? Might be time to quit tanning? My skin is the opposite (pale, freckles, burns easily) but used to look lovely with a bit of light colour when I was younger (I never really tan-tanned). Now it just picks up freckles, red patches, bad looks a blotchy, sweaty mess rather than a nice glow. It’s a message from my skin to stop the sun!

Sonolanona · 19/07/2026 09:43

I'm the same. I have a dog and an allotment so am outside a lot...and despite a hat and suncream I'm rapidly turning into a leather handbag :( I don't posess any loose floaty clothes that are also suitable for digging, so shorts and a t shirt it is and I have ridiculous truckers tan lines on my arms (and legs) I am also covered in freckles which increase every summer and refuse to fade!

pleasecancel · 19/07/2026 09:39

Do you use sun block, factor 50? P20 is fabulous for not tanning. My children never tanned when wearing this.

ijustdo · 19/07/2026 08:48

That’s exactly what I feel like @aliasfrog , as if I need a good wash and I don’t!

OP posts:
aliasfrog · 19/07/2026 08:39

Do you have olive skin? I do but am really pale during winter, so in summer my tan looks yellowy green and I just look dirty?!