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Tana Ramsay has opened up about living with a life-long skin condition, revealing the moment she was left embarrassed by a question at a pharmacy.

The television personality and wife of celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay spoke candidly to the Times about her experiences with melasma, a common skin condition that causes brown or grey-brown patches, often on the face, which can appear after sun exposure.

Tana, 51, said that if she could pass on any advice to her youngest daughter Tilly, it would be to stay out of the sun. The mum-of-six said. “Gordon and I used to bake. Now I have melasma. I’ll never forget going into a pharmacy and the woman behind the counter asking what the stains on my face were.”

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Melasma is a condition that typically affects women and can be triggered by hormonal changes, genetics, and exposure to sunlight.

According to the NHS, using sunscreen with a high SPF, wearing protective clothing, and avoiding peak sun hours are among the recommended precautions.

Tana is clearly vigilant, stating that she never leaves the house without Klira The Dayscript SPF50, reflecting her commitment to managing the condition.

Tana also touched on the Ramsay family’s approach to skincare, with their fourth child, Tilly, taking the role of “product discoverer” for the household. According to the 24-year-old, once her mum finds something she loves, "she rarely strays". “It’s impossible to get Mum to change anything. She has worn the same things for ever.”

Tilly has introduced her parents to newer beauty trends during trips abroad, including Rhode Peptide Eye Prep patches and Sarah Chapman sheet masks. “And those scary white sheet masks!” Gordon interjected, popping his head into the girls-only Zoom call.

“Dad can’t cope that he’s not invited to this interview,” Tilly said, laughing. Tana clarified: “They’re the Sarah Chapman sheet masks. We never did anything like that when I was growing up, but now people pose with them on Instagram. And I think, all right, maybe I can.”

The Times reported that both Tana and Tilly appeared natural on the call, in minimal makeup and off-duty clothing, which is reflected in the items they prioritise.

At the top of Tana’s wish list are Victoria Beckham The Foundation Drops (£104). “They’re sold out at the moment,” she sighed. When reminded of her friendship with Victoria Beckham, who attended the recent wedding of Tana’s eldest daughter, Holly Ramsay, to Olympic swimmer Adam Peaty, Tana insisted on waiting. “I don’t like doing that. You just wait until it’s in stock and buy it properly,” she said.

Gordon and Tana Ramsay met in the early 1990s before getting married in Lonon in December 1996. The couple have six children — Megan, Holly, Jack, Tilly, Oscar and Jesse James — and frequently share glimpses of their family life with the public.

According to the British Association of Dermatologists, melasma can be managed with prescription creams, including hydroquinone, which reduces melanin production but may cause irritation and should be used under medical supervision.

It can also be managed with retinoid creams or other serums containing ingredients like azelaic acid, vitamin C, kojic acid, cysteamine, or thiamidol; combination creams with multiple active ingredients are also sometimes prescribed, but hydroquinone and retinoids should be avoided in pregnancy.

Procedures such as chemical peels, microneedling, and laser therapy can help reduce pigmentation by removing or targeting pigmented skin cells, but they carry risks including irritation, scarring, or worsening pigmentation, and should only be performed by qualified professionals; these treatments are usually not available on the NHS.

For those seeking a non-medical approach, skin camouflage can hide melasma patches and improve quality of life; it involves a thick, coloured cream matched to the skin and can be accessed with the help of a healthcare professional.