How To Determine Your Skin Tone and Undertone: A Guide

If you’ve been going about your life without knowing what your skin tone and undertone are -- you’re seriously missing out.

While this information may not completely change your life, it can help you take better care of your skin, choose the right makeup, and choose flattering clothing. Your skin tone relates to the actual color of your skin and can play a role in skincare -- especially when it comes to sun protection. Your skin undertone relates to the tint of your skin and can play a role in choosing the right makeup and clothing.

So if you’ve ever struggled with finding the right skincare routine, finding the right shade of foundation, or choosing appealing clothing -- you’ve come to the right place!

In this guide, we will tell you everything you need to know about skin tones and undertones -- including how to determine each one.

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What You Need To Know About Different Skin Tones

We’re going to start out with skin tones since it’s the more obvious of the two. Your skin tone is the actual color of your skin and it can range from pale ivory to very dark brown.

Benefits of Knowing Your Skin Tone

Before you discount the very idea of determining your skin tone, you need to hear about the benefits of doing so. While such information may seem irrelevant and trivial, it can actually be very helpful. For instance, knowing your skin tone can help you take better care of your skin. This is because different skin tones are more prone to different skin issues.

Take light skin, for instance. Individuals with this skin tone are more prone to sun damage since their skin is less able to deal with the sun’s ultraviolet rays. On the other hand, dark skin may be more prone to areas of hyperpigmentation -- wherein groups of skin cells take on a different shade as surrounding cells.

Although it’s definitely not as important as preventing sun damage, knowing your skin tone can help you make better decisions about your makeup and clothing. If you’ve noticed that your shade of foundation never seems to match correctly or that certain colors seem to wash you out -- you could probably benefit from knowing your skin tone.

How To Determine Your Skin Tone

While skin tone may seem like an objective idea, there’s actually a way to make it more subjective. The Fitzpatrick skin phototype was developed to determine skin tones based on a scale of one to six. This system was developed in 1975 and it classifies your skin tone based on the amount of pigment present in the skin and your skin’s reaction to sun exposure.

There is a chart that you can use to help identify your skin tone name based on the Fitzpatrick scale, but we have found this questionnaire to be the most effective and helpful method:

1. What is your eye color?

a. 0 points for light blue, green, or gray eyes
b. 1 point for blue, green, or gray eyes
c. 2 points for dark blue, green, or hazel eyes
d. 3 points for dark brown eyes
e. 4 points for brownish-black eyes

2. What is your natural hair color?

a. 0 points for naturally red hair
b. 1 point for naturally blonde hair
c. 2 points for chestnut or dark blonde hair
d. 3 points for dark brown hair
e. 4 points for black hair

3. What is your natural skin color (not exposed to the sun)?

a. 0 points for pink skin
b. 1 point for very pale skin
c. 2 points for light brown or olive skin
d. 3 points for brown skin
e. 4 points for dark brown skin

4. Do you have freckles on unexposed areas of the skin?

a. 0 points for many freckles on the skin
b. 1 point for several freckles on the skin
c. 2 points for few freckles on the skin
d. 3 points for nearly no freckles on the skin
e. 4 points for no freckles on the skin at all

5. What happens to your skin if you stay in the sun for an extended period of time?

a. 0 points for severe burns with blistering and peeling
b. 1 point for moderate burns with blistering and peeling
c. 2 points for burns that are sometimes followed by peeling
d. 3 points for rare burns
e. 4 points for no burns

6. Do you turn brown after sun exposure?

a. 0 points for never turning brown
b. 1 point for rarely turning brown
c. 2 points for sometimes turning brown
d. 3 points for often turning brown
e. 4 points for always turning brown

7. How brown do you get after sun exposure?

a. 0 points for hardly or not brown at all
b. 1 point for a light tan
c. 2 points for a medium tan
d. 3 points for a dark tan
e. 4 points for a very dark tan

8. Is your face sensitive to the sun?

a. 0 points for very sensitive to the sun
b. 1 point for quite sensitive to the sun
c. 2 points for mildly sensitive to the sun
d. 3 points for resistance to the sun
e. 4 points for very resistant to the sun

9. How often do you intentionally tan?

a. 0 points for never
b. 1 point for rarely
c. 2 points for sometimes
d. 3 points for often
e. 4 points for always

10. When did you last intentionally expose your skin to the sun or artificial tanning sources like tanning beds?

a. 0 points for more than three months ago
b. 1 point for in the last two to three months
c. 2 points for in the last one to two months
d. 3 points for in the last week
e. 4 points for in the last day

All of these numbers are then added up to receive your skin tone score:

Type I: If you received a score of 0-6, then you have pale white skin that is characterized as being extremely sensitive to the sun, always burns, and never tans. People with naturally red hair and freckles are an example of this skin tone.
Type II: If you received a score of 7-13, then you have white skin that is characterized as being very sensitive to the sun, burns easily, and tans minimally. Fair-skinned, fair-haired Caucasians and northern Asians are examples of this skin tone.
Type III: If you received a score of 14-20, then you have light brown skin that is characterized as being sensitive to the sun, sometimes burns, and slowly tans to a light brown shade. Darker Caucasians and some Asians are examples of this skin tone.
Type IV: If you received a score of 21-27, then you have moderate brown skin that is characterized as being mildly sensitive to the sun, burns minimally, and always tans to a moderate brown shade. Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and southern Asians are examples of this skin tone.
Type V: If you received a score of 28-34, then you have dark brown skin that is characterized as being resistant to the sun, rarely burns, and tans well. Some Hispanics and Africans are examples of this skin tone.
Type VI: If you received a score above 35, then you have deeply pigmented dark brown to black skin that is characterized as being very resistant to the sun, never burns, and is deeply pigmented. Darker Africans, Indigenous Australians, and some Caribbeans are examples of this skin tone.

Type I: Ivory Skin

If you’re Type I with ivory skin, then you’re the palest skin type out there. Look at your fellow pale sisters for inspiration. Celebrities like Emma Stone, Amanda Seyfried, and Christina Hendricks all have ivory skin.

As you can tell by these celebrity examples, blonde hair, red hair, and blue eyes are common with this skin tone. Those with this skin tone typically have a cool undertone that makes the skin appear more pink or red.

Those with ivory skin need to pay close attention to skincare due to their light skin pigment. Due to a lack of pigment, they are less able to deal with sun exposure as they are extremely sensitive to sunlight. This skin type is at a higher risk of developing sun damage and potentially skin cancer if proper sun protection is not practiced.

Those with ivory skin need to be wearing sunscreen each and every day -- specifically, products with an SPF of 30 or greater. You should also protect your skin from the sun by avoiding high-intensity hours, staying in the shade, or wearing protective clothing.

Finally, those with ivory skin may experience early signs of aging as a result of sun damage. For that reason, people with this skin type may need to start using anti-aging skincare products at an earlier age to fight the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Type II: Fair Skin

If you’re Type II with fair skin, then you’re still quite pale. Just because you’re not the palest out there doesn’t mean that you can be reckless with your skin. Sun protection for fair skin is just as important for those with ivory skin. For this reason, dermatologists recommend wearing SPF on a regular basis -- even if it’s cloudy or you’re not going outside. This is because the sun’s rays are powerful enough to penetrate clouds and windows to damage your fair skin.

Even if you practice diligent sun protection, there are other steps necessary to ensure that you stay safe. For starters, you should self-check your skin on a monthly basis to monitor the appearance of your moles and freckles. If you see any concerning changes, be sure to consult with your dermatologist. Additionally, you should be going to the dermatologist on an annual basis for a professional check.

If you’re looking for inspiration for your fair skin, look no further than fair skin celebrities like Reese Witherspoon, Taylor Swift, Margot Robbie, Kristen Bell, Blake Lively, and Julianne Hough. As you can tell by these celebrity examples, golden blonde hair and blue eyes are common with this skin tone. Those with this skin tone typically have a cool undertone but may also have a neutral skin undertone as well.

Type III: Medium Skin

If you’re Type III with medium skin, then you still have relatively light skin but you’re better able to tan than the lighter skin tones. Those with this skin tone often have golden or beige undertones and may have light brown or hazel eyes with dark blonde or light brown hair. You may also notice some freckles on your skin. Some examples of celebrities with a medium skin tone include Natalie Portman, Jennifer Aniston, Julia Roberts, Megan Fox, and Jennifer Lawrence.

But just because you can take it doesn't mean that you can skip sun protection! In fact, sun protection is just as important for this skin type. Just because you can get away with unprotected sun exposure for now doesn’t mean that it’s not damaging your skin beneath the surface.

As a result, you may want to proactively begin using anti-aging skincare products with beneficial ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, peptides, and Vitamin E in the form of cleansers, moisturizers, or serums. These types of products combined with proper sun protection can help you maintain your medium skin tone.

Type IV: Brown Skin

If you’re Type IV, then you have light brown or olive skin, brown eyes, and brown hair. You probably don’t have many freckles while tanning easily and rarely burning. Many people with this skin tone have warm undertones that may appear as bronze skin or even caramel skin. Some examples of celebrities with a brown skin tone include Eva Longoria, Jennifer Lopez, Kim Kardashian, and Sandra Oh. As you can see, people with this skin type can span a wide range of ethnicities from Asian to Hispanic.

Even though those with this skin type tan well, you may start to develop an uneven tan -- also known as hyperpigmentation. This especially affects women after pregnancy in the form of melasma. For this reason, sun protection is still important for this skin tone. However, if you do experience hyperpigmentation, you can treat this issue through chemical peels, microdermabrasion, or brightening skincare ingredients.

Type V: Dark Brown Skin

If you’re Type V with dark brown skin, you likely have dark brown eyes and dark brown hair. You may have an olive skin tone or a warm skin undertone. Those with this skin tone hardly ever burn, always tan, and have virtually no freckles. Some examples of celebrities with this skin tone include Halle Berry, Beyonce, Kerry Washington, Alicia Keys, Rihanna, and Mindy Kaling.

Since those with Type V skin are virtually unaffected by the sun, many of them ditch sun protection without a second thought. However, sun damage has a nasty ability to catch up to you over time. As a result, people with this skin type are more prone to hyperpigmentation caused by sun damage and untreated skin cancer.

For this reason, it’s also recommended that you perform monthly skin self-checks from head to toe. On a yearly basis, you should have your skin checked by a dermatologist. In the meantime, you should wear SPF 15 each time you go outdoors for proper protection.

Type VI: Very Dark Brown Skin

If you’re Type VI with very dark brown or mocha skin, you likely have dark brown or black eyes and black hair. Those with this skin tone never burn, deeply tan, and don’t have any freckles. Some examples of celebrities with this skin tone include Naomi Campbell, Lupita Nyong’o, Oprah Winfrey, Michelle Obama, Aisha Taylor, and Whoopie Goldberg.

Those with Type VI skin are especially prone to hyperpigmentation issues that look different compared to similar areas on lighter skin. People with Type VI skin are more likely to consult with a dermatologist about hyperpigmentation concerns. For this reason, it’s necessary to practice sun protection and blemish care to prevent these spots from developing in the first place.

You should treat acne proactively to prevent the formation of acne marks through an anti-acne skincare regimen. Use a foaming cleanser with salicylic acid to heal existing breakouts. You may also want to consider using serums with niacinamide or peels with glycolic acid to soothe the skin and gently exfoliate the skin to reveal the even and healthy skin underneath.

What You Need To Know About Different Skin Undertones

Now that we have discussed skin tones, it’s time to move on to skin undertones. Both concepts are important when considering skincare, makeup, and clothing choices. So if you want to have the best skincare routine, wear perfectly matched foundation, and wear complementary colors, then read on to learn more about skin undertones.

What’s the Difference Between Skin Tone and Undertone?

Although it may seem like skin tones and skin undertones refer to the same thing, there’s actually a clear difference. Skin tone refers to the color of the skin as it appears on the surface.

As you now know, skin tones can range from ivory to very dark brown. Meanwhile, skin undertone refers to the tones present underneath the surface of the skin and provide its hue. Skin undertones can range from warm to cool. In some cases, your skin undertone can actually be neutral -- meaning that there’s no discernable tone present underneath the skin.

Skin tone is relatively easy to figure out -- all you have to do is look at your skin to determine whether it’s light, dark, or somewhere in between. Skin undertone is a little bit more difficult since you have to look beneath the skin. The good news is that there are several things you can do to effectively “look beneath your skin” to determine your skin undertone.

Benefits of Knowing Your Skin Undertone

Even though knowing your skin undertone may seem quite trivial, it can actually prove beneficial. For starters, knowing your skin undertone can help you choose the best makeup products for your skin. And this doesn’t just apply to foundation, this can help you choose the right shades of blush, bronzer, lipstick, and eyeshadow. If you have ever wondered why your makeup seems to clash with your skin, your undertone could be the culprit. So the next time you head out to Sephora or Ulta for some new makeup, make sure that you’re picking the right colors based on your skin undertone.

Additionally, knowing your skin undertone can also help you choose the best clothing items for your skin. We all have our favorite colors to wear, and while you may not be able to identify a real reason for your existing preferences, odds are that they are actually related to your skin undertone. You can also use your skin undertone to pick out the right kinds of jewelry for your skin.

So again, the next time you go shopping for a new wardrobe or new jewelry, make sure that you take your skin undertone into account.

How To Determine Your Skin Undertone

There are several quick and easy methods that you can use to determine your skin undertone using things that you have at home.

The paper test: Take a plain white piece of printer paper and hold it up to your skin in natural light. Consider your skin undertone based on the bright white color of the paper. If your skin appears more red or pink compared to the paper, then you likely have a cool skin undertone. If your skin appears more yellow compared to the paper, then you likely have a warm skin undertone.
The jewelry test: Try on some of your favorite jewelry to determine your skin undertone. While this test is more objective than the rest, it can still be useful. If you find that silver jewelry looks better with your skin, then you likely have a cool skin undertone. If you find that gold jewelry looks better with your skin, then you likely have a warm skin undertone. If both gold and silver jewelry look good with your skin, then you may have a neutral undertone.
The t-shirt test: Put on a plain white t-shirt and go outside into natural light. If the stark white of the t-shirt is flattering for your skin, then you likely have a cool skin undertone. On the other hand, if the whiteness of the t-shirt is washing you out, then you likely have a warm skin undertone and would look better in off-white or cream clothing.
The vein test: Check out the veins in your arms under natural light. If your veins appear to be blue or purple, then you likely have a cool skin undertone. If your veins appear to be green, then you likely have a warm skin undertone. If you cannot clearly determine the color of your veins, then you may have a neutral skin undertone.
The features test: Your hair and eye color may be an indication of your skin undertone. If you have fair skin and light eyes, you’re likely to have a cool or neutral skin undertone. If you have darker skin and darker eyes, you’re likely to have a warm skin undertone. Obviously, there are exceptions to this rule but this advice can prove helpful if you’re still confused.

Warm Skin Undertone

If you have a warm skin undertone, then your skin has more of a yellow or golden glow to it. As you now know, this skin undertone is common for those with dark hair and dark eyes. Since your skin is warm, you will want to pair it with other warm tones for a cohesive look.

For instance, you should wear foundations that have a yellow tint as opposed to a pink tint. You should wear bronze, gold, or rust-colored eyeshadow. You should wear a warm-colored lipstick that may include shades like berry red, peach, or coral.

In terms of clothes, you may want to incorporate colors like green, brown, mustard yellow, and warm reds into your wardrobe. You may also want to wear colors like peach, coral, amber, and gold. While cool colors aren’t totally off-limits, you should pick those on the warmer end of the spectrum, including olive, orchid, violet, and moss.

If you’re still confused about your skin undertone -- including how to apply makeup or choose clothes -- you should look to the experts: celebrities. Celebrities with a warm skin undertone include Jennifer Lopez, Kim Kardashian, Beyonce, Jessica Alba, and Halle Berry. Notice that all of these women have darker skin tones -- as is common with this skin undertone.

Cool Skin Undertone

If you have a cool skin undertone, then your skin has more of a pink or red tint to it. As you now know, this skin undertone is common for those with light hair and light eyes. Since your skin is cool, you will want to pair it with other cool tones for a put-together look.

For instance, you should wear foundations that have a pink tint as opposed to a yellow tint. You should wear pink, plum, and mauves on your cheeks and eyes. If you want to have more fun with your eyeshadow, you could rock a bold teal, bright blue, or navy blue eyeshadow. You should wear a cool-colored lipstick -- pinks and bright reds are particularly appealing for this skin undertone.

In terms of clothes, you may want to incorporate colors like emerald, purple, lavender, pink, and blues of all varieties. While warm colors aren’t totally off-limits, you should pick those on the cooler end of the spectrum, including pale yellows, rose reds, and ruby reds.

If you’re still not sure what your skin undertone is or how to deal with it, you may look to celebrities like Anne Hathaway, Adele, Nicole Kidman, Cara Delevigne, and Lucy Liu for inspiration. Again, notice that all of these women have lighter skin tones. However, those with darker skin tones can still have a cool undertone -- take Mindy Kaling, Rosario Dawson, Octavia Spencer, and Lupita Nyong’o for example.

Neutral Skin Undertone

If you have a neutral skin undertone, then your skin falls right in the middle between yellow and pink tints. This can be challenging when it comes to choosing makeup shades -- especially foundation.

You should look for a foundation that has a peach tint to it rather than a pink or yellow. You should wear a coral-colored lipstick that’s universally flattering regardless of your skin, hair, or eye color. You should wear a light pink-colored blush to compliment your undertones. In terms of eyeshadows, you have a lot of flexibility here -- although we recommend you choose shades based on your eye color.

In terms of clothes, you pretty much have free reign as a neutral undertone! However, you may want to practice restraint when it comes to wearing overly bright shades. Instead, you should go with more muted colors that will better complement your skin, for example, dusty pink, jade green, light yellow, or lagoon blue. If you want a more neutral color palette, consider shades like off-white, coffee brown, and medium gray.

A neutral skin undertone can be particularly confusing since it falls in the middle of warm and cool. So if you’re still struggling to determine your skin undertone or what works well with it, use these celebrities for inspiration: Drew Barrymore, Victoria Beckham, Natalie Portman, Kerry Washington, Sandra Bullock, and Selena Gomez. It’s important to note that these women have a wide range of skin, hair, and eye colors -- meaning that people with all types of features can have a neutral skin undertone.

How To Properly Care for Your Skin Based on Skin Tone and Undertone

While skin tone and undertone matter in some respects when it comes to skincare, they aren’t as important as you may think. After all, color and tone are only skin deep. When it comes to skin as an actual organ of the body, the composition is generally the same.

Instead of basing your skincare routine on skin tone or undertone, instead, you should base it on skin type and skin concerns. Here’s what you need to know:

Skin Type

In order to properly care for your skin, you first need to understand your skin type. Generally speaking, there are six different skin types.

Here’s what you need to know about each one of them to best care for your unique skin:

Oily skin: Oily skin is characterized by skin that produces too much sebum, or oil. While everyone’s skin produces sebum to keep the skin moisturized, oily skin produces too much of this substance. As a result, oily skin often experiences shine, blemishes, and enlarged pores. This skin type is especially common in teenagers and younger adults as their sebaceous glands tend to be overactive. The primary objective of caring for oily skin is to reduce oil production, control shine, and prevent the development of blemishes.
Dry skin: Dry skin is characterized by skin that doesn’t produce enough sebum, or oil, on its own. As a result, dry skin often experiences dryness, flakiness, and dullness. This skin type is more common with age as the sebaceous glands tend to become less active. The primary objective of caring for dry skin is to enhance moisture and nourishment to the skin.
Combination skin: Combination skin is characterized by skin that has both dry areas and oily areas. Dry areas are commonly found on the cheeks. Oily areas are commonly found on the nose and forehead, or the “T-zone.” This can be a particularly difficult skin type to manage since you’re dealing with two opposing issues. As a result, you may need to use different products in the different areas to effectively target both the dry areas and the oily areas. Using heavy products on the oily areas or lightweight products on the dry areas would be counterproductive.
Normal skin: Normal skin is characterized by skin that is well-balanced and does not experience an excess amount of oil or dryness. However, this doesn’t mean that normal skin is “perfect.” The primary objective of caring for normal skin is to maintain the current balance of the skin.
Sensitive skin: Sensitive skin is characterized by skin that is overly reactive and is often triggered by harsh ingredients, environmental factors, or underlying skin conditions. Sensitive skin often experiences irritation, redness, dryness, itchiness, and discomfort. The primary objective of caring for sensitive skin is to identify and avoid triggers while soothing existing areas of discomfort.
Mature skin: Mature skin is characterized by aging skin that may be dry with wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging skin. As we age, the skin dries out and the production of important building blocks like collagen and elastin decreases. As a result, the primary objective of caring for mature skin is providing extra hydration and supplementing the building blocks of collagen and elastin to nourish and firm skin.

Skin Concerns

Once you have identified your skin type, you next need to identify your skin concerns. Some concerns are often associated with certain skin types, while others can be associated with any skin type.

No one’s skin is perfect, so here are some different skin concerns that you may be struggling with and how to address them within your skincare routine:

Acne: Acne is caused when a pore is clogged by dirt, oil, makeup, etc. Acne can occur in a variety of different forms ranging from blackheads to whiteheads to pustules and everything in between. Acne is common for those with oily or combination skin. The best way to treat this skin concern is to keep the pores clear and free of oil while healing existing blemishes with anti-acne ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide.
Hyperpigmentation: Hyperpigmentation occurs when a group of skin cells overproduces pigment called melanin. Also known as dark spots, sun spots, or age spots, they are often caused by sun exposure. However, they can also be caused by inflammation or hormones. Hyperpigmentation can affect all skin concerns due to the wide range of causes. The best way to treat this skin concern is to exfoliate the skin and remove top layers of skin with darkened cells to reveal the healthy and even skin underneath.
Redness: Redness occurs as a result of irritation that can be caused by environmental or topical irritants. Redness may also be a side effect of skin dryness or a skin condition like rosacea. Redness commonly affects those with dry or sensitive skin types. The best way to treat this skin concern is to soothe the skin with calming and cooling ingredients with anti-inflammatory properties.
Dullness: Dullness occurs as a result of a build-up of dead skin cells on the surface of the skin. Dullness may also be a side effect of skin dryness. Dullness commonly affects those with dry or oily skin types. The best way to treat this skin concern is to exfoliate the skin with a chemical or physical exfoliant.
Uneven texture: Uneven skin texture may also be a result of a build-up of dead skin cells on the surface of the skin. It may also be an effect of acne -- either past or present. Uneven texture can affect all skin concerns. The best way to treat this skin concern is to exfoliate the skin and treat any lasting acne marks or scars.

Now that you know more about your skin type and skin concerns, it’s time to get into developing a skincare routine to effectively address them.

Makeup Removal

The first step in your skincare routine should always be makeup removal. You should always remove your makeup at the end of the day before going to bed. But before you reach for your makeup wipes, you may want to consider a better removal method. Makeup wipes often leave a film on the surface of your skin and can advance the development of wrinkles by tugging on your skin.

Instead of using makeup wipes, consider micellar water instead. Micellar water is a cleaning solution that you simply apply to a cotton pad and gently swipe across your face to remove makeup without tugging or pulling on the skin.

Cleansing

Many people think that you don’t have to cleanse your skin so long as you remove your makeup. However, dermatologists are now recommending a method known as “double cleansing” in which you remove your makeup first before actually cleansing your face for a deep and effective cleanse.

There are many different types of cleansers to choose from ranging from foam to gel and cream. You should choose your cleanser based on your skin type. When cleansing your skin, apply a small amount of cleanser to your face and gently rub in circular motions. Keep the cleansing solution on your face for about 30 seconds or so before rinsing it off with warm water. Gently pat the face dry with a soft towel.

Exfoliating

After cleansing your face, the next step is exfoliation. It’s important to thoroughly cleanse your face prior to exfoliation to avoid pushing dirt or debris deeper into the skin. Once your skin is thoroughly cleansed, you can either choose a chemical exfoliant or a physical exfoliant.

Physical exfoliants in the form of scrubs were popular back in the day. These products use rough and jagged particles like sugar, baking soda, or ground nuts to physically remove dead skin cells from the surface of the skin. And while this method is definitely effective, it can be quite rough and potentially damaging if you don’t do it correctly. This is especially true if you have sensitive skin. As a result, using gentle physical exfoliants like oats are recommended for use a few times a week.

Chemical exfoliants in the form of acids have become popular in recent years. While it may seem like a strange and scary concept to apply acid to your face, it’s actually quite safe and beneficial. These acids are able to break the bonds holding dead skin cells onto your face by using chemical reactions. The most common types of acids used for chemical exfoliation include alpha hydroxy acids and beta hydroxy acids. Look for products marked as chemical peels with ingredients like glycolic acid, lactic acid, azelaic acid, and mandelic acid. Depending on the strength of the acid, chemical exfoliants can be used between one to three times a week.

Toning

After exfoliating your face, the next step is toning. Many people assume that they can skip toning. Perhaps they are scarred from the harsh alcoholic composition of toners from years past. However, you should know that toners these days are much more gentle on the skin and are extremely beneficial. Toners are able to further cleanse and moisturize the skin to prepare it for the application of additional skincare products.

Face Serums

After toning your face, the next step is applying face serums. If you’ve avoided using face serums because you’re not sure which ones to use or how to use them properly, you’re in the right place. Many people are confused by the intricacies of serums or confused by the sheer amount of them. However, the right information can set you on the right path.

Serums are used to provide your skin with high concentrations of ingredients needed to address specific skin concerns. For instance, if you have hyperpigmentation, a Vitamin C serum would be beneficial. On the other hand, if you have acne, a niacinamide serum would be effective.

Before you incorporate different serums into your skincare routine, make sure that they are compatible. Some products, like acids and retinoids, should not be used in combination. As a result, you should always read the fine print on any product before you start using it.

Moisturizer

After applying your serums, the next step is applying your moisturizer. While it may seem that your face is well-moisturized after applying serums, a regular moisturizer is still necessary. A regular moisturizer is needed to provide your skin with enough moisture to balance it between oily and dry.

For instance, if you have oily skin you should use a lightweight moisturizer with hyaluronic acid that won’t clog pores. On the other hand, if you have dry skin, you should use a heavier moisturizer with shea butter that will provide the skin with deep nourishment.

Face Oils

After applying your moisturizer, the next step is applying face oils. Face oils are ideal for protecting the skin from potentially harmful elements. Face oils are made from plant extracts that are beneficial to skin health. You should choose your face oil based on your skin type, but jojoba oil, rosehip oil, argan oil, and marula oil are all beneficial.

Sun Protection

The final and often most important step in your skincare routine should be sun protection. This is especially true if you have a lighter skin tone that’s less able to provide natural sun protection.

However, sun protection is needed on a daily basis no matter what your skin tone is. Experts recommend that you use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 on a daily basis no matter the cloud coverage, temperature, or plans for the day.

This is because the sun’s ultraviolet rays are so powerful that they can reach beyond the clouds on an overcast day or the windows of your home. While applying SPF 30 once in the morning is sufficient if you’re not planning to spend time outdoors, if you do go outdoors, you need additional protection. Experts recommend that you reapply sunscreen at least every two hours while outdoors -- more often if you’re swimming or sweating.

Finding the Right Products for Your Skin Tone, Undertone, and Concerns

Clearly, a lot goes into a proper skincare routine for your skin tone, skin type, and skin concerns. So how can you find the right products for your unique skin without spending hours in the skincare aisle at the store?

PROVEN Skincare has developed a beneficial and simple system to provide you with personalized skincare solutions.

The foundation of this system is our revolutionary Skin Genome Project, which consists of data gathered from more than 20 million consumer reviews, 20,000 ingredients, and 4,000 scientific papers. Using this data, we learned a lot about skin!

For instance, we learned that 64% of customers do not have a proper skincare routine. We learned that 92% of customers have more than three skincare needs. We also learned that 43% of customers have skin sensitivities and 57% of customers are experiencing some level of acne.

Thanks to the valuable insights provided by this data, three Stanford scientists were able to develop more than 2,000 customized product combinations within three special products. We are then able to match you with a beneficial formula using our skin quiz.

Our skin quiz asks you questions about your skin type, skin concerns, environment, lifestyle, and heritage to match you with the proper cleanser, moisturizer, and night cream for your unique skin.

But there’s more than meets the eye with these three products.

For instance, the cleanser also has toning and exfoliating properties for an amazing 3-in-1 product that’s able to simplify your skincare routine. The moisturizer also has SPF 40 that is able to provide you with quick and easy sun protection. Finally, the night cream is jam-packed with high concentrations of the ingredients you need to fight any and all of your skin concerns.

In terms of your exact routine with these products, PROVEN has made it as easy as possible. In the morning, cleanse with warm water before applying your moisturizer with built-in SPF protection. In the evening, cleanse with your cleanser before applying your night cream to let it do all the work while you sleep.

With PROVEN, the results really speak for themselves. Independent, third-party clinical tests have shown PROVEN Skincare to be effective for skin concerns including aging, hyperpigmentation, acne, redness, and sensitivity. 84% of users experienced revitalized skin with fewer signs of aging and hyperpigmentation after just 28 days of use. 90% of users experienced fewer impurities including acne and blemishes in the same timeframe. 81% of users experienced a bright and radiant complexion free of redness and sensitivity in less than one month’s time.

With results like these, who wouldn’t want to try PROVEN? All it takes is a few minutes to complete the skin quiz, receive your custom formula, and begin seeing noticeable results.

Final Thoughts on Skin Tones and Undertones

Determining your skin tone and undertone can help with skincare, makeup, and clothing choices. However, skin types and skin concerns should be the basis of your skincare routine.

If you’re looking for an effective routine using revolutionary products that have been tailored to your unique skin, look no further than PROVEN Skincare.

Our Stanford scientists have the knowledge and expertise necessary to provide you with the best possible products for a straightforward and beneficial skincare routine.

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