Dermatologists often describe skin by how it responds to ultraviolet light. The most widely used system for this is the Fitzpatrick skin phototype scale, and knowing where you sit on it is useful for sun care and for choosing a sunless shade.
Where the scale comes from
The scale was developed by the American dermatologist Thomas B. Fitzpatrick in the 1970s. It sorts skin into six phototypes based on how it reacts to sun exposure: whether it burns, and whether it tans.
The six phototypes
- Type I: pale white skin, often with blue or green eyes and blond or red hair. Always burns and does not tan.
- Type II: fair skin, often with blue eyes. Burns easily and tans poorly.
- Type III: darker white skin. Tans after an initial burn.
- Type IV: light brown skin. Burns minimally and tans easily.
- Type V: brown skin. Rarely burns and tans darkly with ease.
- Type VI: dark brown or black skin. Never burns and always tans darkly.
These descriptions follow DermNet, a dermatology resource written by dermatologists.
What the scale does and does not tell you
The scale describes how skin tends to react to UV. It is not a guide to how much sun exposure is safe. Every skin type can be damaged by UV, which is why sun protection matters for everyone. Tanned skin gives very little protection: the FDA notes that the extra melanin in tanned skin provides a sun protection factor of only about 2 to 4.
Using it to choose a sunless shade
- Types I and II often look most natural with light shades or gradual tanning moisturizers.
- Types III and IV usually suit medium shades.
- Types V and VI may prefer products designed to add warmth and glow rather than depth.
These are starting points, not rules. Patch testing a product is the most reliable way to find your shade. For format options, see Choosing a Self-Tanner.