Is it really that bad?

[Petuniapet]

I'm so tired of people commenting on my pale skin in a negative way! Mostly from my in-laws and work colleagues (under the guise of 'banter'). It's just wearing a bit thin now and it's making me self conscious as to weather I really look that bad.

My dad is Scottish and I take after him for my complexion. I wear make up most days but I don't fake tan as I also have very dry skin and it never looks good on me unfortunately. I do tan eventually on holiday but it never lasts long and I don't particularly enjoy being in the scorching heat for hours on end anyway. I used to go on sunbeds in my late teens but I don't won't do that anymore as my friend had skin cancer from sunbed use.

Is there anything I can do to compliment my pale skin? Or any tips from fellow pale Mumsnetters for batting off the negative comments?

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I have pale skin. I never used to spend long periods in the sun and now I use sunscreen. I have relatively few wrinkles for a 61 year old.

Remember sun damage is the reason so many people look old early.

I like this and should have leant into it more. didnt help my DH called me pasty all the time

tell them to go to an art gallery and see what the skin is like on the women depicted as ideals of beauty there

Mine is very blue cheese, mottled, veiny… not in the slightest bit creamy. It’s all very well if you’ve got red hair for a bit of contrast but if you haven’t pale is generally not a good look. I just use fake tan

I used to get this a lot too, OP (pale with strawberry blonde - though once more gingery - hair, freckles but only on my limbs not my face!).

I am prone to a bit of redness on my nose/cheeks - especially from central heating, very spicy food, & once upon a time alcohol (though I no longer drink). I've also been suffering from menopausal acne!! And yet, I've been told I have beautiful skin a number of times (I don't).

You say you wear make-up everyday but I'm wondering what kind of foundation you use? And if you use anything under it? I spend barely any time on my eye/lip/cheek make-up - what I do spend time on is prep & base. I am not heavily made-up at all though.

I used to have facial eczema but have been using Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish for years - the muslin cloth system got rid of that almost entirely. Get a good moisturiser with an SPF, that doesn't cause make-up to pill. I have oily skin, & Simple age resisting moisturiser with green tea & SPF 15 is perfect. Liz Earle moisturiser is also lovely. You'll probably need something richer - or you can add a few drops of serum.

After moisturising, I use Clinique's Redness Solutions Daily Protective Base. It's a green-tinted primer. People say to use it just on areas of high colour - but I find that my make-up can get patchy that way, so I apply like a moisturiser to my central panel & cheeks & sweep outwards. Ditto with my foundation - Armani Luminous Silk, which I apply lightly first with fingers & then smooth with a make-up sponge. After that a high-pigment concealer tapped lightly on any spots/veins/blotches (Boots No 7 Stay Perfect Stick Concealer), a lighter Lancôme one for my under eye shadows, & finally loose powder swept over lightly. Foundation, concealer & powder are all my skin tone but very slightly more yellow, which along with the primer counteracts any pink/red tendencies. And then it's mascara, Elf eyeshadow stick, brow pencil, Nars blusher & a lipstick of the day!!

All that sounds like a faff - but I assure you it's really really quick & easy!!! Those products might not be for you, but you can find the right equivalents for your own skin.

What stood out for me in your post was the dry skin patches & rosacea. Tackle the first, counteract the second - & you will look great 😊!!!

Im dead white too. Weird thing is I tan easily and dont burn. I like my pale skin and dont try and hide it.

I think pale skin is beautiful. I think people that still don’t understand in this day and age that tanned skin is burnt skin are just not very bright. Can’t understand how some people are so obsessed with tanning. Anyone I know that has worshiped the sun every year for years on end as they age they just now look like wrinkly old prunes. Be proud of your beautiful pale skin, I’m sure you will age really well.

I don't wear heavy make up at all. Just a light foundation and a bit of concealer to cover redness and blemishes, blush and mascara. I use a moisturizer and a serum before make up and I wash off make up at night and use a nighttime moisturizer and serum. It's the only way I can keep any sort of hydration into my skin!

I honestly don't think I look that bad, I just feel like everyone else feels the need to comment which is getting tiring!