Skin Type - Do You Need a Sunscreen for Dark Skin?
Before you choose a sunscreen for dark skin the first step to good skin health is being knowledgeable about your darker complexion. Melanin is the chemical that determines the color of skin. The more melanin there is in a person’s skin, the darker that person’s skin will be. The number distribution and type of pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) in the skin, determine your skin color. Dermatologists refer to the degrees of pigmentation in skin as “skin types.” Skin types range from very little pigment (type 1) to very darkly pigmented (type 6). How easily you burn depends on your skin type and how light or dark your skin is.
Fitzpatrick Classification for Sun-Reactive Skin Types
Skin Type | Color | Reaction to UVA | Reaction to Sun |
| Type I | Caucasian; blond or red hair, freckles, fair skin, blue eyes | Very Sensitive | Always burns easily, never tans; very fair skin tone |
| Type II | Caucasian; blond or red hair, freckles, fair skin, blue eyes or green eyes | Very Sensitive | Usually burns easily, tans with difficulty; fair skin tone |
| Type III | Darker Caucasian, light Asian | Sensitive | Burns moderately, tans gradually; fair to medium skin tone |
| Type IV | Mediterranean, Asian, Hispanic | Moderately Sensitive | Rarely burns, always tans well; medium skin tone |
| Type V | Middle Eastern, Latin, light-skinned African American, Indian | Minimally Sensitive | Very rarely burns, tans very easily; olive or dark skin tone |
| Type VI | Dark-skinned African American | Least Sensitive | Never burns, deeply pigmented; very dark skin tone |
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