Skin Types

Type

Characteristics

Skin Response to UV

I

• Unexposed skin is bright white
• Blue or green eyes
• Blonde or red hair
• Freckles
• Heritage is English, Irish, Scottish, or Northern European

• Always burns easily and severely
• Peels
• Does not tan

II

• Unexposed skin is white
• Blue, brown or hazel eyes
• Blonde, brown or red hair
• Heritage is same as Skin Type I or Scandinavian

• Burns easily and severely
• Peels
• Tans lightly or minimally

III

• Unexposed skin is fair
• Brown eyes
• Dark hair
• Heritage is Central or Southern European (Greek, Italian or Spanish)

• Burns moderately
• Tans average

IV

• Unexposed skin is light brown
• Dark eyes
• Dark hair
• Heritage is Hispanic, Mediterranean or Oriental

• Burns minimally
• Tans easily and above average with each exposure
• Exhibits IPD (Immediate Pigment Darkening)

V

• Unexposed skin is brown
• Dark eyes
• Dark hair
• Heritage is African American, American Indian, Asian, East Indian, Hispanic, or Latin American

• Rarely burns
• Tans easily and substantially
• Always exhibits IPD

VI

• Unexposed skin is black
• Dark eyes
• Dark hair
• Heritage is African American or Aboriginal

• Rarely burns
• Tans easily and profusely
• Always exhibits IPD