The Most Popular Skin Tone, Ranked

Choose the skin tone you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on May 6, 2024 06:49
Choosing a favorite skin tone can often reflect diverse aspects of cultural beauty and personal preferences. By organizing this list based on popularity, users gain insights into broader social trends and individual inclinations. Our voting system is designed to uphold neutrality and inclusivity, allowing each visitor to contribute equally to the evolving results. Each vote helps to clarify which skin tones resonate most with the public, possibly influencing sectors like fashion, beauty, and entertainment. We ensure that the process is transparent, and the rankings are updated in real time, providing a current snapshot of preferences. By participating, users not only express their opinions but also see how their views compare with others.

What Is the Most Popular Skin Tone?

  1. 1
    61
    votes
    Fair skin is the most common skin tone globally. It is often associated with people of European descent, but can also be found in other populations.
    Fair skin tone refers to a light complexion that often appears pale and has minimal pigmentation or melanin. It is typically associated with individuals of European or East Asian descent. Fair skin is characterized by its vulnerability to sunburns and a higher likelihood of developing skin issues such as redness or sensitivity.
    • Skin Tone Level: Light
    • Pigmentation: Minimal
    • Melanin Content: Low
    • Associated Ethnicities: European, East Asian
    • Sunburn Vulnerability: High
  2. 2
    33
    votes

    Olive skin tone

    Natural variation
    Olive skin is a common skin tone among people of Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and South Asian descent. It is characterized by a yellowish-green undertone.
    Olive skin tone is a complexion characterized by a subtle greenish or yellowish undertone, reminiscent of the color of olives. It often appears as a combination of medium to light brown with hints of green or yellow. This skin tone is commonly found in Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and Latin American populations.
    • Undertone: Subtle greenish or yellowish
    • Color: Medium to light brown mixed with green or yellow
    • Origins: Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and Latin American
    • Commonly associated ethnicities: Italian, Greek, Spanish, Turkish, Lebanese, Iranian, Indian, Mexican, Brazilian, etc.
    • Sun sensitivity: Can range from moderate to high
  3. 3
    23
    votes
    Medium skin tone is a common skin tone among people of African, South Asian, and Latin American descent. It is characterized by a brownish undertone.
    Medium skin tone refers to a moderately tan complexion with warm undertones. It is commonly found in individuals with mixed racial backgrounds or those with olive or light brown skin. Medium skin tone is versatile and can range from a golden tan to a deeper bronze shade.
    • Undertones: Warm undertones
    • Complexion: Moderately tan
    • Shade Range: Golden tan to deep bronze
    • Common Traits: Olive or light brown skin
    • Versatility: Suitable for various makeup looks
  4. 4
    28
    votes

    Light brown skin tone

    Human variation
    Light brown skin is a common skin tone among people of African, South Asian, and Latin American descent. It is characterized by a light brown undertone.
    Light brown skin tone is a warm and subtle complexion that falls between fair and medium skin tones. It typically has a tan or beige undertone with a hint of golden or olive undertones. This skin tone is commonly seen among individuals with mixed heritage and can range from a light caramel shade to a slightly deeper tan.
    • Undertone: Warm with hints of golden or olive undertones
    • Shade Range: Light caramel to slightly deeper tan
    • Common Heritage: Mixed heritage
    • Popularity: Widely recognized and appreciated
    • Common Features: Balanced combination of light and medium skin characteristics
  5. 5
    6
    votes

    Dark brown skin tone

    Emoji Version 8.0
    Dark brown skin is a common skin tone among people of African, South Asian, and Latin American descent. It is characterized by a dark brown undertone.
    Dark brown skin tone is a rich and deep complexion characterized by a dark brown hue. It is a widely recognized and celebrated skin tone that reflects a diverse range of ethnic backgrounds.
    • Hex code: #654321
    • RGB values: (101, 67, 33)
    • Hue: 22°
    • Saturation: 49%
    • Lightness: 26%
  6. 6
    22
    votes
    Tan skin is a common skin tone among people of South Asian and Latin American descent. It is characterized by a golden-brown undertone.
    Tan skin tone is a warm, sun-kissed complexion that is highly sought after for its radiant and healthy appearance. It is characterized by a light to medium brown shade with warm undertones. This skin tone gives a natural glow and is associated with a healthy outdoor lifestyle.
    • Shade Range: Light to medium brown
    • Undertones: Warm
    • Radiance: Glowing and sun-kissed
    • Association: Healthy outdoor lifestyle
    • Popularity: Highly sought after
  7. 7
    9
    votes
    Caramel skin is a common skin tone among people of African, South Asian, and Latin American descent. It is characterized by a warm, golden-brown undertone.
    Caramel skin tone is a warm, medium brown complexion that has undertones of golden or honey. It is a highly sought-after skin tone that represents richness, depth, and radiance.
    • Undertones: Golden or honey
    • Warmth: Medium brown with a warm undertone
    • Complexion: Medium skin tone
    • Radiance: Gives off a glowing and healthy appearance
    • Versatility: Compliments various hair and eye colors
  8. 8
    8
    votes
    Ebony skin is a common skin tone among people of African descent. It is characterized by a deep, chocolate-brown undertone.
    Ebony skin tone is a dark brown complexion commonly found in people of African descent. It is characterized by its rich, deep color, which ranges from shades of dark brown to black. The ebony skin tone is known for its natural beauty and versatility, with the ability to showcase a wide range of undertones and highlights.
    • Color Range: Dark brown to black
    • Undertones: Warm, cool, neutral
    • Highlights: Caramel, bronze, golden
    • Common Features: High melanin content, often oily or combination skin type
    • Versatility: Can be complemented by a variety of makeup colors and hairstyles
  9. 9
    10
    votes
    Porcelain skin is a common skin tone among people of European descent. It is characterized by a very light, almost white undertone.
    Porcelain skin tone is a fair and delicate complexion characterized by its translucent quality. It is often described as having a soft, milky-white appearance that resembles fine porcelain. This skin tone is highly sought after for its ethereal and timeless beauty.
    • Fairness Level: Pale to light complexion with minimal to no tan.
    • Translucency: Skin appears almost translucent, with veins visible.
    • Lack of Pigmentation: Minimal melanin production resulting in lighter hue.
    • Even Skin Tone: Consistent complexion without prominent blemishes or discolorations.
    • Delicate Appearance: Skin has a soft, fragile, and porcelain-like texture.
  10. 10
    6
    votes
    Mahogany skin is a common skin tone among people of African descent. It is characterized by a rich, reddish-brown undertone.
    Mahogany skin tone is a rich, deep brown color that resembles the hue of the dark red wood of the Mahogany tree. It is a popular skin tone choice, especially in the fashion and beauty industry, for its warm and vibrant appearance.
    • Hue: Rich, deep brown
    • Undertones: Warm undertones
    • Intensity: Vibrant
    • Shade Range: Various shades within the Mahogany color spectrum
    • Complexion: Flattering for individuals with warm or neutral undertones

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Discussion

Ranking factors for popular skin tone

  1. Geographic and cultural trends
    Skin tone preferences can vary widely based on geographic location and cultural background. What is considered popular or desirable in one area may not be in another.
  2. Historical and societal influences
    Historical and societal factors, such as the legacy of colonization and the impact of media representation, can also influence perceptions of skin tone.
  3. Individual preferences and attitudes
    Ultimately, skin tone preference is subjective and highly individualized. People may have personal preferences based on their own experiences and attitudes towards skin tone.
  4. Representation and visibility
    Representation and visibility of different skin tones in media, fashion, and advertising can also impact popularity and desirability.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular skin tone. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Complexion is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 3643 views
  • 196 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Complexion once every 24 hours. The rank of each Complexion is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

Categories

More information on most popular skin tone

Skin tone has always been a topic of discussion around the world. It is a physical trait that is determined by the amount of melanin in the skin. Melanin is a pigment that is produced by the body to protect the skin from harmful UV rays. There are various skin tones that range from light to dark, and each tone has its own unique beauty. The concept of skin tone has been influenced by social and cultural factors throughout history. For example, in some cultures, lighter skin is considered more desirable, while in others, darker skin is preferred. This has led to discrimination and prejudice towards people with certain skin tones. At StrawPoll, we wanted to explore the topic of skin tone and find out which skin tone is the most popular. We conducted a survey and collected data from thousands of participants. The results were surprising and shed light on the diversity of opinions on this topic. So, what is the most popular skin tone? Keep reading to find out!

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