Summer is fast approaching and it is more important than ever to know your skin phototype to get the best protection for yourself.
Your phototype is to do with the sensitivity of your skin to UV rays. It helps you to identify the sun protection you need and the the best adapted sun protection index (SPF) for your skin.
In this article, we explain which skin phototype you have and which sun factor you should choose.
Very fair skin - Phototype 1
If you have very pale skin, blonde or even red hair together with blue eyes and a tendency to burn quickly in the sun (turning red instead of tanning!) then you are most likely in the phototype 1 range.
To get the best protection, ensure to use SPF 50+.
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Fair skin - Phototype 2
If you have light skin and fair hair (with a scattering of freckles), sunburn easily but sometimes manage a slow and light tan (if at all!), then you probably have phototype 2 skin.
When first going out into the sun we recommend SPF 50 which can then be lowered to SPF 30.
Medium skin - Phototype 3
If your skin is middle of the range, you have chestnut or dark hair with dark or brownish eyes and you tend to tan gradually (but are still prone to sunburns) then your skin is likely to be phototype 3.
In this case, you should opt for SPF 30 when choosing your sunscreen.
Light brown & brown skin - Phototype 4 & 5
If you have light brown skin, hair and eyes you are probably one of those lucky people who tans regularly and doesn’t often burn. You would thus fit into the phototype 4 range.
Otherwise, if you have even darker skin with dark eyes and hair, tan like a pro and hardly ever get sunburns then, approaching the other end of the scale, you are a phototype 5.
Whether you are 4 or 5, you still need to protect yourself. We recommend you use a mid-range protection SPF 20 cream for your needs.
Black skin - Phototype 6
If you have black skin, hair and dark eyes then you are probably are a stranger to sunburns and are in the phototype 6 range of the scale. That being said, whether your skin is very light or dark everyone needs to protect themselves.
Bearing this in mind, you can opt for SPF 10 to keep your skin protected when you go out in the sun.