Fitzpatrick Scale

Developed in 1975 by Harvard Medical School dermatologist Thomas B. Fitzpatrick, the Fitzpatrick Scale is a useful classification system for skin complexions and their reactions to cosmetics treatments and sun exposure. Represented in Roman numerals from I to VI, Type I is the fairest complexion and Type VI is the darkest complexion.

Knowing your Fitzpatrick skin type can help you make informed decisions when choosing skincare products and cosmetic treatments. You may use this celebrity guide to help you determine your skin type on the Fitzpatrick Scale.

Skin Type I – Ivory

Reaction to Sun Exposure: Always burns, never tans.

Details: You tend to have very pale, porcelain, or ivory toned skin. You always burn in the sun, and your skin could have a naturally reddish undertone. Your eyes are most likely blue, gray, or green, with either blonde or red hair.

Celebrity Examples: Cate Blanchett, Prince Harry, Nicole Kidman, Hugh Grant, Emma Stone, Julianne Moore, Cynthia Nixon, Michelle Dockery

Skin Type II – Beige

Reaction to Sun Exposure: Usually burns, tans with difficulty.

Details: You have fair or cream-colored skin, often coupled with subtle beige undertones. Your eye and hair color could be anything from light to dark. You might have freckles, and you tend to burn in the sun although occasionally you are able to tan.

Celebrity Examples: Scarlet Johansson, Cameron Diaz, Neil Patrick Harris, Drew Barrymore, Owen Wilson, Kate Winslet, Kate Hudson, Kirsten Dunst, Blake Lively, Sarah Jessica Parker, Claire Danes, Uma Thurman, Katherine Heigl, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ellen DeGeneres, Prince William, Jake Gyllenhaal

Skin Type III – Light Brown

Reaction to Sun Exposure: Sometimes burns, slow tanning.

Details: You are often described as having golden, honey-hued skin tone. Women and men with light olive coloring also fit into this skin type. At the beginning of summer, you may burn easily, but you can gradually build a sun-kissed glow by the end of the season.

Celebrity Examples: Julia Roberts, Brad Pitt, Sandra Bullock, Angelina Jolie, George Clooney, Demi Moore, Katie Holmes, Sandra Oh, Elizabeth Hurley, Lisa Ling, Zac Efron, Matthew McConaughey

Skin Type IV – Medium Brown

Reaction to Sun Exposure: Rarely burns, fast tanning.

Details: Your skin is a caramel tone, and tans quickly without burning. You most likely have dark hair and dark eyes that range from hazel to ebony.

Celebrity Examples: Derek Jeter, Jennifer Lopez, Jessica Alba, Eva Mendes, John Stamos, Penelope Cruz, Kim Kardashian, Eva Longoria, Mariah Carey, Dev Patel

Skin Type V – Dark Brown

Reaction to Sun Exposure: Rarely burns, fast and easy tanning.

Details: Your skin tone might range from radiant bronze to a rich brown. Both your eyes and hair are dark. You experience sunburns very rarely, and generally tan quickly and easily.

Celebrity Examples: Halle Berry, Will Smith, Vanessa Williams, Beyonce, Zoe Saldana, Serena Williams, Tyra Banks, Rihanna, Queen Latifah, Tiger Woods

Skin Type VI – Very Dark

Reaction to Sun Exposure: Almost never burns, fast and dark tanning.

Details: Your skin tone falls in the range of deep mahogany to espresso. You almost never have sunburns, and tan quickly and deeply during the summer. You have both dark hair and dark eyes.

Celebrity Examples: Naomi Campbell, Taye Diggs, Erika Alexander, Don Cheadle, Lupita Nyong’o, Morris Chestnut, Jennifer Hudson, Denzel Washington, 50 Cent