Skin types

The skin determines our appearance to a large extent. One of the factors is the skin type or pigmentation type – in short, the “skin colour”.

Every person has his or her skin colour. It is rather important to know to which skin type one belongs to protect oneself effectively. According to skin type, different measure are important for sun protection. Whether someone has fair or dark skin, is genetically determined.

An American dermatologist developed the following scheme of six skin types in order to allow recommendations for skin protection against the sun.

Skin type 1
 

Characteristics:
Very fair and extremely sensitive skin with freckles
Fair eye colour and ginger hair
No tanning and mostly sunburn (after 10 min without protection)

Protective measures:
Avoid sunburn, better remain in the shadow (especially between 11 am and 3 pm)
Use hat with neck cover, adequate clothing and sun glasses with 100% UV protection
Use sunscreen with high protective factor ( min. SPF – sun protective factor - 30)
Protect especially well nose, ears, lips and neck

 

 
Skin type 2
 

Characteristics:
Fair and sensitive skin, often freckles
Fair eye and hair colour
Slow tanning and mostly sunburn (after 20 min without protection)

Protective measures:
Avoid sunburn, better remain in the shadow (especially between 11 am and 3 pm)
Use hat with neck cover, adequate clothing and sun glasses with 100% UV protection
Use sunscreen with high protective factor ( min. SPF 25)
Protect especially well nose, ears, lips and neck

 

 
Skin type 3
 

Characteristics:
Skin average fair, fair or dark eye colour, brown hair
Simple and slow tanning, often sunburn (after 30 min without protection)

Protective measures:
Avoid sunburn between 11 am and 3 pm
Wear hat and sunglasses
Use sunscreen with at least SPF 15
Protect especially well nose, ears, lips and neck

 

 
Skin type 4
  Characteristics:
Brownish and little sensitive skin
Dark eyes, dark brown or black hair
Quick and deep tanning, sometimes sunburn (after 45 min without protection)

Protective measures:
Wear hat and sunglasses
Use sunscreen with at least SPF 15
At the seaside and in the mountains, protect well lips and neck

 

 
Skin type 5
 

Characteristics:
Dark and little sensitive skin
Dark eyes, black hair
Rarely sunburn (after 60 min without protection)

Protective measures:
Wear hat and sunglasses
Use sunscreen with at least SPF15
At the seaside and in the mountains, protect well lips and neck

 

 
Skin type 6
  Characteristics:
Black and little sensitive skin
Dark eyes, black hair
Very rarely sunburn (in 90 min without protection)

Protective measures:
At the seaside and in the mountains wear hat and sunglasses
Protect lips well
Use sunscreen with at least SPF 15
After a longer time without sun exposure, also dark skin can develop sunburn after prolonged sunbathing