Have you ever tried determining your skin tone? Some might find this to be a bit difficult with all those unusual names and similar shades you have to look through. Also, it seems like every website is offering a different list of skin tone names.
Therefore, in this article, you will find a complete list of all skin tone names along with detailed descriptions and example images for each.
Why People Have Different Skin Tones
You have many substances in the skin that affect your skin tone, but the most important one is the pigment melanin. The skin cells produce more or less melanin depending on genetics. Hence, people inherit their skin tone from their parents.
However, the area you live in and the amount of sun exposure you get also play a big part. Some skin tones tend to get more tan during summertime and become paler during winter.
The Fitzpatrick Skin Scale
Furthermore, there’s something called the Fitzpatrick skin scale that helps you see different skin types and how to care for each one. This scale is based on the amount of melanin in the skin and how it reacts to sun exposure. You can check out the scale in the picture below.
Image source: Pinterest
So, according to the Fitzpatrick scale, there are six skin tone types.
Type I
The first skin type has ivory skin that quickly burns in the sun and never tans. It usually goes with light blue, light gray, light green eyes, and natural blonde or red hair.
Type II
The second skin type is fair and pale. It also burns in the sun and rarely tans. People with such skin usually have blond hair and blue, grey, or green eyes.
Type III
The third skin type on the Fitzpatrick scale is fair to beige, with golden undertones. It is usually combined with dark blonde or brown hair and hazel or light brown eyes. Skin shades that belong to the third type can burn in the sun but also get a tan.
Type IV
The fourth skin type features olive and brown shades. However, such skin rarely burns in the sun and easily gets a beautiful tan. Apart from dark brown eyes, people with olive and brown skin often have dark brown hair.
Type V
Skin shades that belong to the fifth type on the Fitzpatrick scale are dark brown. Dark brown skin types always tan, rarely burn in the sun. In addition, eye and hair color range from dark brown to black.
Type VI
The sixth type of skin tone is highly pigmented darkest shades of brown. Such rich complexions never burn and always get a dark tan in the sun. Also, people with this skin tone have dark brown or black eyes and black hair.
Although the Fitzpatrick skin scale is helpful, it only lists six skin types. To determine your exact skin tone, you’ll undoubtedly need a more detailed list. So, here’s a list of 20 most common skin tone names:
1. Ivory
2. Beige
3. Honey
4. Peaches and Cream
5. Almond
6. Chestnut
7. Espresso Brown
8. Tan
9. Caramel
10. Bronze
11. Mahogany
12. Sable
13. Cacao
14. Pecan
15. Saddle Brown
16. Olive
17. Alabaster
18. Porcelain
19. Marshmellow
20. Umber
It’s important to note that skin tone names are not listed in a specific order. Also, you can see some of the skin tones presented in this picture:
Image source: Pinterest
Now, we will discuss each of these skin shades in more detail.
20 Most Common Skin Tone Names and Descriptions
1. Ivory
The first skin tone we will talk about is ivory. Ivory skin tone is one of the three main light skin tones, the first two being porcelain and alabaster. However, ivory is the darkest of the three.
On the Fitzpatrick scale, you can find it under the first skin type.
Ivory skin is generally creamy white, like an elephant’s tusk. Additionally, people with gorgeous ivory skin can have a yellow, gold, peach, pink, or sometimes even blue undertone. If you have an ivory skin tone, it’s good to know the color of your undertone so you can choose the makeup and hair color that will suit you best.
Celebrities that have the ivory skin tone are Emma Stone, Amanda Seyfried, and Christina Hendricks.
Emma Stone
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Amanda Seyfried
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Christina Hendricks
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2. Beige
Beige skin tone can include quite a few shades, ranging from white to light brown. Nonetheless, this amazing skin tone is most commonly described as light brown with a grey, green or yellow undertone. Your undertone will determine what shade of beige skin you have.
Some even call the beige tone a light olive tone. But beige skin has that general golden look that makes it different from the olive tone.
Some famous actresses with beige skin tones are Jessica Alba and Jennifer Aniston. However, you can notice a slight difference in Aniston’s beige tone — a green undertone makes her skin look light olive.
Jessica Alba
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Jennifer Aniston
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3. Honey
Next on this list of skin tone names is a honey tone. The shades of honey skin can also vary, from white with a yellow-orange undertone to deep brown.
Penelope Cruz is an example of a celebrity with a honey skin tone.
Penelope Cruz
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4. Peaches and Cream
If you have smooth and fair skin with a tinge of pink in your cheeks, you have a peaches-and-cream complexion. Both alabaster peaches-and-cream skin tones tend to have zero blemishes.
A perfect example of this wonderful tone is Snow White, with her clear, fair skin and rosy cheeks. Also, Julia Roberts and Kate Bosworth are praised for their peaches-and-cream skin tone.
Julia Roberts
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Kate Bosworth
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5. Almond
Just like real almonds, this skin tone is a beautiful shade of brown. However, what makes the almond tone stand out is its cool undertones. Hence, hints of blue, pink, or red undertone will decide your exact shade of almond skin.
Almond complexion is common among Asians, Africans, Mediterenians, and Hispanics. Also, you can find it under the fourth skin type on the Fitzpatrick scale.
Four ladies with an almond skin tone are Vanessa Hudgens, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Mindy Kaling, and America Ferrera. Priyanka and America have cool skin undertones, but Mindy has a warm undertone.
Vanessa Hudgens
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Priyanka Chopra Jonas
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Mindy Kaling
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6. Chestnut
A dark tan or medium reddish-brown shade is called a chestnut skin tone. Sometimes it is also referred to as a milk chocolate shade.
A distinctive feature of this gorgeous skin tone is undoubtedly its copper or golden undertone, which gives chestnut-skinned people glowing melanin-rich skin.
Among famous people, Issa Rae and Gabrielle Union have chestnut skin tones. Moreover, you can notice warm golden and red undertones that give their skin a natural glow.
Issa Rae
Image source: Pinterest
Gabrielle Union
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7. Espresso Brown
Further on the list of skin tone names is espresso brown. Espresso brown complexion can include various shades of deep brown. However, this tone is lighter than cocoa or mahogany but deeper than bronze or chestnut. Rich espresso brown skin has a natural luminosity and warmth.
Famous ladies in this range are Tika Sumpter, Lupita Nyong’o, and Viola Davis.
Tika Sumpter
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Lupita Nyong’o
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8. Tan
Many shades of brown, ranging from light and honey to dark brown, can be considered a tan skin tone. But, generally speaking, this tone is similar to the Mediterranean complexion. On the Fitzpatrick scale, you can find tan skin tone from the third to fifth type.
People with tan skin often have olive and golden undertones. Those blessed with tan skin also show fewer signs of aging over time.
A celebrity with flawless tan skin tone is Selma Hayek.
Selma Hayek
Image source: Pinterest
9. Caramel
Caramel skin tone is a rich, warm, buttery shade of brown. This stunning skin type is in between dark and light skin tones. So, if you check the Fitzpatrick scale, caramel complexion would fall between the fourth and fifth skin types.
Caramel skin is known for its creamy cinnamon-brown hues and golden or red undertones.
Nia Long, Zoey Saldana, Chanel Imam, and Tyra Banks are just a few celebrities with this lovely skin shade.
Nia Long
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Zoey Saldana
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10. Bronze
People with a bronze tone have brown skin with golden or red undertones. Some say bronze is a darker caramel complexion, others that it’s the lightest brown shade. In any case, bronze skin tone is predominant in the southwestern part of the US, Mexico, Brazil, and the Philippines.
If you look at the Fitzpatrick scale, you will find the bronze complexion under the fifth type.
Among celebrities, Whitney Houston, Barack Obama, Vanessa Williams, and Eva Pigford have this attractive skin tone.
Vanessa Williams
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Eva Pigford
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11. Mahogany
The eleventh place on the list of skin tone names belongs to mahogany. Mahogany skin tone is also known as copper or rusty, and it refers to a reddish-brown skin complexion. You can usually see this skin color in people who come from East Asia as well as India, Pakistan, and the Philippines.
Furthermore, the mahogany tone belongs to the fourth skin type on the Fitzpatrick scale.
A model Pia Wurtzbach and Frida Pinto are great examples of mahogany skin tone. Compare them with Taylor Lautner, who is a caucasian with a copper undertone.
Pia Wurtzbach
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Frida Pinto
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Taylor Lautner
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12. Sable
Rich dark brown, almost black skin is referred to as sable skin tone. Some people with this skin tone have such dark skin that it looks almost blue. Moreover, a sable complexion has a brown undertone which gives the skin a warm glow.
On the Fitzpatrick scale, you can find sable tone in the fifth skin type.
This incredible skin tone is so unique that not many celebrities can say they have a sable complexion. The rare ones that are sable-skinned are Duckie Thot and Khoudia Diop.
Duckie Thot
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Khoudia Diop
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13. Cacao
People with cacao tones have deep brown skin. This skin tone tends to have an icy blue or a rich mahogany red undertone. The striking cocoa complexion is rich with melanin, smooth, and glowing.
Also, just like sable, cacao shade belongs to the fifth skin type on the Fitzpatrick scale.
Alek Wek, Idris Elba, and Djimon Hounsou are a couple of famous people with cacao skin.
Alek Wek
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Djimon Hounsou
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14. Pecan
Pecan is a warm, buttery skin tone, a shade lighter than caramel. Most people with this complexion have yellow and golden undertones. However, some have cool red undertones as well.
Another interesting thing about this tone is that it can fluctuate between fair and tan. During summer, pecan-skinned people tend to tan easily. But during winter, when there’s not enough sun exposure, their skin becomes fair.
Two celebrities with gorgeous pecan skin tones are Rihanna and Beyoncé.
Rihanna
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Beyoncé
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15. Saddle Brown
As the name suggests, saddle brown skin tone looks like a western horse saddle color. This lush shade refers to a medium brown skin tone with a tinge of red undertone. But sometimes, people with saddle brown skin have a deep brown complexion with a yellowish undertone.
Zawe Ashton is a perfect example of a beautiful saddle brown skin tone.
Zawe Ashton
Image source: Pinterest
16. Olive
The term olive skin tone is usually used to describe people with fair to moderate tan skin with a yellow, golden, or green undertone. Just like pecan skin color, olive skin tone tends to pale without regular exposure to the sun.
Olive complexion belongs to the third, fourth and fifth skin type on the Fitzpatrick scale, depending on the shade. Furthermore, you can easily find an olive-skinned population in the Mediterranean area, parts of Asia, Latin America, India, and the Middle East.
Examples of celebrities with wonderful olive complexions include Eva Mendes, Jessica Szohr, Alessandra Ambrosio, and Adriana Lima.
Eva Mendes
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Jessica Szohr
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17. Alabaster
Next on the list of skin tone names is alabaster. The alabaster complexion is bright white, clear, even-toned, and smooth. To some, it might even look translucent. Moreover, the alabaster skin tone looks like it glows from the inside.
On the Fitzpatrick scale, alabaster complexion falls under the first skin type.
Famous ladies that have pretty alabaster skin are Fanning sisters, Kristen Stewart, Anne Hathaway, and Nicole Kidman.
Kristen Stewart
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Anne Hathaway
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18. Porcelain
Just like the porcelain doll, the porcelain skin tone is white, flawless, and evenly toned. However, this complexion usually has a pink undertone and a tinge of yellow. In addition, the skin can appear translucent, with some veins showing.
Porcelain tone belongs to the first skin type on the Fitzpatrick scale, which means it’s sensitive. More often than not, it comes with blonde or red hair and freckles.
Celebrities with beautiful porcelain skin tones are Scarlett Johansson, Kirsten Dunst, and Emma Watson.
Kirsten Duns
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Emma Watson
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19. Marshmellow
Marshmallow skin tone is a porcelain version of tan skin. This skin tone is very light, with freckles. Most often, it comes with a yellow, blue, or green undertone.
You can see marshmallow shade under the second skin type on the Fitzpatrick scale.
Famous ladies in the range are Jorja Smith and Zoe Kravitz.
Jorja Smith
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Zoe Kravitz
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20. Umber
Umber skin tone is a gorgeous combination of brown skin and reddish shades. Also, people with this unique complexion tend to look youthful and healthy. Umber skin tone is common among Indians, Africans, and Asians.
Celebrities with umber skin tones include Rutina Wesley, Naomi Campbell, Loren Lott, Logan Browning.
Rutina Wesley
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Naomi Campbell
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Other Skin Tone Names
There are a few other skin tone names that do not present a separate category. Usually, they are catch-all terms or subcategories of the skin tone names mentioned above.
1. Golden
Any skin shade that has a golden or yellow undertone is called golden skin tone. This complexion usually looks warm and glowy. However, if there’s not enough sun exposure, golden skin will look pale.
Celebrities with golden skin tone include Gal Gadot, Penelope Cruz, and Kerry Washington.
Gal Gadot
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Kerry Washington
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2. Carotenoid
A carotenoid is actually a substance that gives some vegetables, like carrots and tomatoes, their color. So, carotenoid skin tone is a complexion with yellow, golden, or red undertones.
One study found that people with carotenoid skin tone appear more attractive than those with naturally tanned skin.
3. Buff
Another unusual name for a skin tone is buff. Initially, people used buff to describe the color of buffalo’s skin. However, when it comes to human skin tones, a buff shade is light brownish-yellow.
Image source: Pinterest
4. Praline
Praline is just another expression for beautiful medium brown skin color. You can say that Jessica Alba, Shay Mitchell, Vanessa Hudgens, and Camilla Cabello have praline skin tones.
Shay Mitchell
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Camilla Cabello
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5. Hickory
This skin color gets its name from a North American hardwood. Hickory skin tone can range from light brown to deep brown and often has pink or yellowish undertones.
Image source: Pinterest
6. Mustard
Some complexions that are a yellow shade of brown can be called mustard. If you have a hard time picturing it, mustard skin tone is similar to gold, honey, ocher, or turmeric.
7. Bisque
Bisque skin tone looks similar to almond. However, if you look closely, the bisque shade is slightly lighter than almond. Peach bisque tone refers to a medium complexion with green or golden undertones.
Image source: Pinterest
Conclusion
There are various skin tones in this world — from the palest porcelain to the darkest sable. Each shade is beautiful, unique, and has specific traits.
That being said, it is important to discover your skin tone so you can learn more about it. Then, if you know how to care for your skin properly, you will get that gorgeous, glowy skin you’ve always dreamed of. We hope that this list of skin tone names will help you on this quest.
