There are six basic categories of skin types
The information below will help identify your skin type.
Very fair
Usually lots of freckles, red or sandy hair; blue or grey eyes
High burn risk; skin turns red and peels. Advised not to tan in sunlight
Do NOT use a sunbed
Fair
Possibly with freckles; blonde to brown hair; blue, green and grey eyes.
High burn risk. Great care should be taken in tanning.
Tanning tends to be light
Fair to light brown
No freckles; dark blond or brown hair, grey or green eyes.
Medium risk of burning. Capable of building up a moderate tan.
Light brown
Dark brown hair and eyes.
Burning is rare; tanning is rapid and deep
*See additional note below*
Deep brown skin
Dark hair and eyes.
Burning is seldom; tanning is rapid and deep.
This type of skin has its own natural protection.
*See additional note below*
Very dark skin
Black hair and dark eyes.
Never burns in natural sunlight. This type of skin has its own natural protection.
*See additional note below*
NB: Skin Types 4, 5 and 6:
These skin types need to exercise precaution on initial exposure.
Initial exposure should also be moderate.
This particularly applies if living in the UK as natural skin protection factor
is
depleted through lack of regular exposure to sunshine.