What’s your skin type? SKIN PHOTOTYPES:
A person’s skin phototype determines their ability to react to sun exposure. To a large extent, it determines the tanning ability of the skin.
The Fitzpatrick classification is a tool for differentiating phototypes. This classification assigns a numeric value to each phototype, from 1 to 6. The higher this numeric value, the more melanin is generated by the skin; therefore, the tone is darker.
PHOTOTYPE I:
Pink and/or very pale skin, red or blond hair, light eyes. There are many freckles. Common in Scandinavians and Celts. Maximum protection is needed (FPS 50+).
PHOTOTYPE II:
Light skin; blond, red or light brown hair; light or brown eyes. There are many freckles; common in Caucasians. Maximum protection is needed (FPS 50+).
PHOTOTYPE III:
Light to olive skin; hair and eyes of any color; freckles; common in individuals from Central Europe, some Mediterraneans with olive skin color and Asians with light yellow skin color. High protection is needed (FPS 30-50).
PHOTOTYPE IV:
Light brown skin, brown hair, brown eyes. Common in Mediterraneans with light brown skin color, Asians with light yellow or light brown skin color, Latinos with olive skin color and Middle Easterners with olive or light brown skin color. Moderate protection is needed (FPS 30).
PHOTOTYPE V:
Dark brown skin, dark brown or black eyes and hair. Common in individuals from the Middle East with a dark brown skin color, Asians with a brown skin color, and Latinos with a dark caramel skin color. Minimum protection is needed (FPS 15).
PHOTOTYPE VI:
Black skin, eyes and very dark brown or black hair. Common in people of Black race such as Africans and African-Americans. Minimum protection is needed (FPS 15).