The Fitzpatrick Scale and your Skin Type

The Fitzpatrick Skintype Scale

I've spoken about my skin type in previous posts.

Skin type is classified according to its tolerance of sunlight, according to The Fitzpatrick Scale.

This scale was developed back in 1975 by a then Harvard Medical School dermatologist, Thomas Fitzpatrick.

This scale is used in the beauty world by aesthetians and beauticians to determine how someone will react to facial treatments.

Skin Colour	Hair Colour	Eye Colour	Skin Burn/Tan Notes
White, freckles (may be albino)	Very fair (red/blonde)	Usually light eg blue	Always burns, never tans
White	Very fair (red/blonde)	Blue/Hazel/Green	Usually burns, tans only with difficulty
Creamy white or beige	Fair (light brown, blonde, red)	Any colour	Burns first then tans gradually to light brown
Light tan brown	Medium-dark (typical Mediterranean caucasian skin)	Any colour	Rarely burns, tans with ease
Dark brown	Medium or dark (mid-eastern skin)	Usually brown	Very rarely burns, usually tans
Black	Dark brown or black	Any colour but usually brown	Never burns, tans very easily

That's it.  This is what is used to classify skin according to this scale.  For example, I am between a III and a IV on this scale.  Knowing what your skin type is can help you yourself (aside from any aesthetian) figure out what works for your skin in terms of skincare products.