According to a study called “Shades of beauty,” light brown skin tones are often the most physically attractive skin color (Frisby et al., 2006). They used four models for that study. They did not change the skin tone, but they imaged each model to three different skin tones: light, medium, and dark.
Lighter- skin was perceived as being more attractive, and associated with four themes about dating: (a) positive personality traits, (b) increased value in dating contexts, and (c) sexual appeal to men.
Choosing clothing colors that complement your skin tone can enhance your overall appearance. For warmer skin tones (yellow undertones), earthy tones like browns, oranges, and yellows work well. Cool skin tones (pink undertones) are complemented by cool colors like blues, greens, and purples.
Research on social interactions suggests that lighter skin tones are associated with a higher level of physical attractiveness, which is of particular interest for this study.
The preference for more golden or 'yellow-toned' skin as healthier might be explained by the 'carotenoid pigments' that we get from the fruit and vegetables in our diet. These plant pigments are powerful antioxidants that soak up dangerous compounds produced when the body combats disease.
Average skin colors are seen as most attractive. Typically, tan is the average skin color, making it very attractive to most people. However, the most attractive skin color varies on preference, culture, and sex. A healthy skin complexion and rosy “glow” is always considered attractive.
Darker skinned people often look younger than their lighter skinned peers. Their skin appears smoother and tends to have less wrinkles even as they get older. Do we have the wrong impression or is there something really going on? It's true, darker skin ages slower than lighter skin.
Some research has suggested that redder and yellower skin tones, reflecting higher levels of oxygenated blood, carotenoid and to a lesser extent melanin pigment, and net dietary intakes of fruit and vegetables, appear healthier, and therefore more attractive.
Importantly, overall skin coloration has also been shown to affect perceptions of health and attractiveness. In particular, increased skin yellowness is associated with healthier [4] and more attractive [5] appearance.
Golden skin tones are medium skin tones. This skin tone is usually seen in people of Asian and Southern European ethnic descent. It can also be referred to as olive skin. This skin tone has a balanced neutral beige hue.
Those with pink skintones are typically pale skintones, from English or Celtic ancestry- the so-called "English Rose Complexion".
Look at your eye color.
Your eye color can be a key to your undertones. Lighter eyes like blue and pale brown usually mean you have cool undertones, while gold flecks usually indicate warm undertones. For example, ice blue eyes usually mean you have cool skin, while honey brown eyes usually mean you have warm skin.
Generally many people prefer skin tones that are in the medium range like light or medium tan/brown skin tones such as olive, golden, bronze, yellowish skin, or light skin with slight olive/warm undertones. But there are some people who prefer very fair skin (especially some Asian cultures) and very dark skin.
These qualities of dark skin enhance the barrier protection function of the skin. Although darkly-pigmented skin absorbs about 30 to 40% more sunlight than lightly pigmented skin, dark skin does not increase the body's internal heat intake in conditions of intense solar radiation.
It may be a safer way to glow, but the message is still clear: People want to be tan. Why? Multiple studies have shown that people not only feel more attractive when they're tan but also perceive others as more appealing with a golden glow.
A new study by Missouri School of Journalism researcher Cynthia Frisby found that people perceive a light brown skin tone to be more physically attractive than a pale or dark skin tone.
The preference for more golden or 'yellow-toned' skin as healthier might be explained by the 'carotenoid pigments' that we get from the fruit and vegetables in our diet. These plant pigments are powerful antioxidants that soak up dangerous compounds produced when the body combats disease.
Mustard yellow usually doesn't look great on winter types because it's a warm, earthy color. Winter types generally have cool, crisp undertones in their skin, and mustard yellow's warmth can clash with these cooler tones.
Studies show that men find faces with attractive and radiant skin most attractive. A symmetrical face, luscious lips, expressive eyes, and defined cheekbones can also add to the allure. While these are general complexes, don't use them as an archetype of what true beauty is all about.
According to the Fitzpatrick sun-reactive skin types, the first three types are more vulnerable to the sun's rays and premature skin ageing. That means people with white, freckled, and even olive skin, or blonde and red hair, or blue and green eyes need to start wearing sunscreen more regularly.