What are Fitzpatrick Skin Types/Scale?

Fitzpatrick Skin Types is a classification system developed in 1975 by dermatologist Thomas B. Fitzpatrick. This system is based on the skin's reaction to the sun (especially its tendency to tan and burn) and defines six different skin types.

 

If you think there's still tons of information to learn when it comes to skin, you're not alone. The same goes for us, for sure. Especially regarding ultraviolet (UV) rays and sun care… For example, the Fitzpatrick skin type scale, which offers a different approach to sunscreen in skincare, was a topic we only recently discovered. This classification system focuses on how different skin tones react to UV rays, providing sun protection recommendations suitable for every skin. Come on, learn your Fitzpatrick skin type and, like us, re-evaluate your relationship with the sun!

 

 

Skin Type	Definition	Sun Reaction	Appearance (General)
Type I	Very fair skin, usually red or blond hair, blue/green eyes	Always burns, never tans	Pale, freckled skin
Type II	Fair skin, light hair and eyes	Usually burns, rarely tans	Light skin, sensitive
Type III	Medium skin tone, darker hair and eye color	Sometimes burns, tans slowly	Medium toned skin
Type IV	Olive skin, dark hair and eyes	Rarely burns, tans easily	Olive toned skin
Type V	Brown skin	Very rarely burns, tans easily and deeply	Dark brown skin
Type VI	Very dark brown / black skin	Never burns, always appears tanned	Deeply pigmented skin

 

 

To learn your Fitzpatrick skin type, you need to answer questions focusing on how light or dark your skin is, its relationship with the sun, and your physical appearance. Choose the answers that apply to you from the questions below and add up the points; we'll figure out your Fitzpatrick skin type together shortly! If you're wondering how to find your skin type, let's begin!

What Color Are Your Eyes?

• If your eyes are light blue, light gray, or light green, add 0.
• If your eyes are blue, gray, or green, add 1.
• If your eyes are hazel or light brown, add 2.
• If your eyes are dark brown, add 3.
• If your eyes are almost black-brown, add 4.

What is Your Natural Hair Color?

• If your natural hair color is red or light blonde, add 0.
• If your natural hair color is blonde, add 1.
• If your natural hair color is dark blonde or light brown, add 2.
• If your natural hair color is dark brown, add 3.
• If your natural hair color is black, add 4.

What is Your Natural Skin Tone?

• If your natural skin tone is ivory white, add 0.
• If your natural skin tone is fair or pale, add 1.
• If your natural skin tone is fair to beige with warm undertones, add 2.
• If your natural skin tone is olive or light brown, add 3.
• If your natural skin tone is dark brown, add 4.

How Many Freckles Do You Have on Sun-Exposed Areas of Your Skin?

• If you have many, add 0.
• If you have more than one, add 1.
• If you have a few, add 2.
• If you have very few, add 3.
• If you have none, add 4.

How Does Your Skin React to the Sun?

• If your skin always burns, blisters, and peels in the sun, add 0.
• If your skin often burns, blisters, and peels in the sun, add 1.
• If your skin moderately burns in the sun, add 2.
• If your skin rarely burns in the sun, add 3.
• If your skin never burns in the sun, add 4.

Does Your Skin Tan?

• If you always burn but never tan, add 0.
• If you rarely tan, add 1.
• If you sometimes tan, add 2.
• If you frequently tan, add 3.
• If you consistently tan, add 4.

How Much Do You Tan?

• If you never tan or tan very little, add 0.
• If you tan lightly, add 1.
• If you tan moderately, add 2.
• If you tan a lot, add 3.
• If your skin is naturally dark, add 4.

How Sensitive is Your Face to the Sun?

• If very sensitive, add 0.
• If sensitive, add 1.
• If normal, add 2.
• If resistant, add 3.
• If very resistant and you've never had issues, add 4.

Which is Your Fitzpatrick Skin Type?