Selena Gomez addresses 'moustache' comment

Selena Gomez has addressed a comment about her appearance after sharing a makeup-free video on social media, using the moment to speak openly about her skin and encourage followers to prioritise sun protection.

The actress and singer, who is widely admired for her transparency regarding health and wellness, took the opportunity to educate her audience on a common skin condition while addressing public curiosity and scrutiny.

In an Instagram Story post shared on Tuesday, Gomez reacted to a remark about her grooming, saying that someone had asked her, "how do you shave your moustache?" In response, she clarified that the shadow visible on her upper lip was not facial hair but melasma, a common skin condition that causes discoloured patches on the face. "It's my melasma," Gomez explained. "I take care of it and treat it, but yeah it's there." She spoke candidly about the condition without defensiveness, acknowledging the comment with a simple, "I totally get it."

Melasma is often triggered by sun exposure, hormonal changes, and heat, and it can cause brown or greyish patches to appear on areas of the skin, particularly the face, including the forehead, cheeks, and upper lip. In Gomez's case, she linked her melasma directly to sun exposure, using the opportunity to stress the importance of daily sun protection. "It's from the sun," she said, adding that wearing sunscreen regularly is a crucial part of her skincare routine.

The singer and actress has long been open about managing her health, particularly in light of her lupus diagnosis, which makes her skin more sensitive and susceptible to sun damage. Lupus, an autoimmune condition, can make sunlight exposure especially risky, often triggering flares or worsening skin issues. Gomez has previously emphasised that taking precautions, including using high-SPF sunscreen and avoiding prolonged sun exposure, is essential for her well-being.

Despite ongoing public scrutiny of her appearance, Gomez has spoken candidly about developing healthy coping mechanisms for criticism. She has highlighted the importance of self-care and maintaining a balanced perspective when facing commentary on social media. Reflecting on her approach, she previously said.