Your Skin Type
If you’ve ever spent hours in front of a makeup counter trying to match a shade of foundation to your complexion, you know there’s a wide range of tones. When trying to decide between “soft honey” and “warm beige,” the better fit comes down to a slight variation in melanin, a protein made by skin cells in the lower layers of the dermis. People with darker skin have more melanin compared to people with lighter skin.
In addition to the unique color of your skin, melanin also determines how your skin reacts to sun exposure, whether you freckle and tan or burn and peel. The Fitzpatrick scale classifies skin type by measuring these factors. While it won’t demystify the process of selecting a makeup shade, the system is useful for predicting your overall risk of sun damage and skin cancer.
Fitzpatrick skin type 1
People with type 1 skin have ivory complexions, light eyes, and red or light blonde hair. When exposed to the sun, type 1 skin always freckles, burns, and peels. If you never tan, you likely have type 1 skin.
Fitzpatrick skin type 2
Those with type 2 skin have a fair or pale complexion, blue, grey, or green eyes, and blonde hair. A day at the beach usually leaves a type 2’s skin freckled. Type 2 skin often burns and peels and rarely tans.
Fitzpatrick skin type 3
People with type 3 skin have fair to beige complexions with golden undertones. Their eyes are typically hazel or light brown and they have naturally dark blonde or light brown hair. When exposed to the sun, the skin might freckle. It occasionally burns and sometimes tans.
Fitzpatrick skin type 4
If you have olive or light brown skin, you might be a type 4 on the Fitzpatrick scale. These individuals have dark brown eyes and hair. After a moderate day in the sun, a type 4 probably won’t get freckles or sunburn, but often achieves a golden tan.
Fitzpatrick skin type 5
A skin type 5 naturally has dark brown skin with dark brown eyes and dark brown or black hair. While these individuals rarely get freckles, they tan very easily and hardly ever suffer from sunburn.
Fitzpatrick skin type 6
The deepest skin tone on the Fitzpatrick scale, those with type 6 skin have dark brown to black complexions, brownish black eyes, and naturally black hair. A type 6 never freckles or burns and always develops a deep tan.
A pigmentation solution for all skin types
Whether you’re a one, a six, or somewhere in between, anyone can develop hyperpigmentation. Décel skin care products improve the appearance of dark spots on all skin types by gently exfoliating pigmented cells, stimulating skin regeneration, and revealing a healthy complexion. While many skin care companies use whiteners in their products to tackle skin pigmentation issues, our cleanser, toner, serum, mask, and cream are all formulated with plant-based ingredients, not harsh chemicals. This makes Décel safe and effective for all skin types.
