Skin tone guide, Fitzpatrick IV to V
Tan skin tone: best colors, makeup, and hair for tan skin
Tan skin is a natural golden, caramel, or bronze brown, deeper than medium and lighter than deep brown. People also call it a tannish skin tone or, at its lighter end, medium tan skin. It tans easily and rarely burns, roughly matching Fitzpatrick types IV and V, and it can lean warm, neutral, cool, or olive.
What is tan skin?
By a window, tan skin looks like caramel, amber, bronze, or a warm light brown. It is the natural color of the skin rather than a tan that fades, although sun deepens it further and it takes on a richer bronze in summer.
Tan skin is common among Latin American, South Asian, Middle Eastern, North African, Southeast Asian, Pacific Islander, Black, and mixed-heritage people. Hair is usually dark brown to black and eyes brown, which gives tan skin a naturally warm glow in rich color.
Tap any swatch to copy its hex code.
- Fitzpatrick type
- IV to V burns minimally and tans easily, or rarely burns
- Closest Monk shades
- 6 to 7 of 10
Is a tannish skin tone the same as tan skin?
Yes. Tannish is an informal way to say tan: skin that looks lightly bronzed or caramel all year, without sun. Some people use it for a light tan close to medium and others for a golden brown, so the swatches above cover both ends.
What is medium tan skin?
Medium tan, or a medium tanned skin tone, is the lighter end of tan, where it meets medium: a golden or caramel beige-brown. Foundation ranges often label it medium-tan. If medium shades look slightly pale on you and tan ones fit, you are medium tan.
Tan skin undertones
Depth is only half of your skin tone. Underneath it, tan skin can lean cool, neutral, warm, or olive, and that undertone decides which colors, foundations, and metals look most natural. Here is how each one looks at this depth.
- Cool undertone
Rosy bronze
A brown with a red or rosy cast. Ruby, magenta, and cobalt look rich; orange can turn harsh.
- Neutral undertone
Neutral tan
An even caramel brown. Coral red and fuchsia, white and espresso, and both metals all work.
- Warm undertone
Golden caramel
A golden or amber brown that glows in the sun. Marigold, burnt orange, turquoise, and copper suit you.
- Olive undertone
Tan olive
A bronze brown with a muted green-gold cast. Wine, emerald, and saffron look better than pastels.
More on olive skin
Not sure which is yours? Compare gold and silver, or bright white and cream, next to your bare face by a window, or let the undertone test read it from a selfie. Our guide to skin undertones explains every check.
Best colors for tan skin
Choose your undertone to see the clothing colors that tend to flatter tan skin. Each swatch shows your skin above a neckline of the color, the way it sits when you wear it.
Rosy bronze, pink, red, or blue castJewel tones and icy contrast: ruby, magenta, cobalt, emerald, and plum, with icy blue as a light accent.
Neutral tan, neither pink nor goldenClear, confident color: coral red, jade, petrol blue, and fuchsia, with crisp white and espresso as neutrals.
Golden caramel, golden, peach, or yellow castWarm, saturated color: marigold, burnt orange, turquoise, olive green, and copper, with cream to keep it light.
Tan olive, muted green-gray castRich, earthy jewel tones: wine, emerald, deep teal, rust, and saffron, with ivory instead of bright white.
Colors that wash tan skin out, and what to wear instead
Instead of
skin-tone caramel, wear turquoiseA top in your exact shade flattens everything. Turquoise sets off the warmth in tan skin instead.
Instead of
dusty mauve, wear magentaGrayed pinks can look dull on tan skin. A clear magenta glows.
Instead of
pale beige, wear crisp whitePale beige can read ashy next to tan skin, while crisp white makes it look brighter.
Save the tan skin colors
The skin swatches and all four undertone palettes on one card, with hex codes. Keep it on your phone and hold it next to clothes when you shop, near a window if you can.
Download the colorsMakeup for tan skin
Foundation
Look in the medium-tan to tan part of a range and choose by undertone: golden or W shades for warm, red or rosy shades for cool, N for neutral, and O for tan olive. Skip any shade that looks ashy or gray on your jaw, which usually means it is too light or too cool. Tan skin is often deeper around the forehead and jaw, so a second, slightly deeper shade at the edges looks natural.
Foundation by undertone
- Cool
- Neutral
- Warm
- Olive
Most brands mark undertone with a letter after the shade number: C for cool, N for neutral, W for warm, and O for olive where they offer it.
Blush
- Terracotta
- Deep coral
- Berry
Terracotta, deep coral, and berry. Pigmented formulas show up best; very pale blush can look powdery.
Bronzer
- Deep bronze
- Chestnut
A deep bronze or chestnut for warmth and shape. Choose one with no gray in it.
Lipstick
- Toffee nude
- Brick red
- Fuchsia
- Plum
Toffee nude, brick red, fuchsia, and plum. A lip liner a shade deeper than your nude ties it together.
Best hair colors for tan skin
- EspressoA deep, glossy brown that frames tan skin with rich contrast.
- Caramel balayageGolden ribbons echo the warmth in tan skin.
- BurgundyA wine-red tint suits cool and neutral tan skin.
- Bronze brownA warm medium brown that melts into golden tan skin.
Hair colors to skip
- Platinum: needs heavy lightening and tends to look stark against tan skin.
- Ashy dark blonde: can make tan skin look dull or gray.
Whatever you choose, test it first: the NHS advises testing hair dye at least 48 hours before you use it.
Gold or silver for tan skin?
High-shine yellow gold looks warm and glowing on tan skin, and bronze and copper suit golden tan. Cool tan skin looks striking in silver and white gold, and neutral tan skin can stack both. Bolder pieces, from wide cuffs to statement hoops, are easy to wear, and so are stones like turquoise, coral, and citrine.
Sun care for tan skin
Usual Fitzpatrick type
IV to V
Burns minimally and tans easily, or rarely burns
Whatever your depth, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, reapplied about every two hours outdoors. For tan skin, add these:
- Sunburn may not look red on tan skin, the NHS notes, so treat soreness, heat, or tightness as a burn.
- Tinted sunscreens blend into tan skin with no white cast, and their iron oxide adds protection from visible light.
- Include your palms, soles, and nails when you check your skin. The AAD notes that skin cancer in browner skin can appear in places the sun rarely reaches.
Common skin concerns for tan skin
Every skin tone can have any skin concern, but some show up more often, or more visibly, at each depth. These are the ones worth knowing for tan skin.
Dark spots and uneven tone
Tan skin makes plenty of melanin, so inflammation from acne, eczema, or a scratch often leaves a dark mark that lasts. The AAD says a spot a few shades darker than your skin usually fades within 6 to 12 months, and daily sunscreen plus ingredients like azelaic acid or vitamin C help.
Melasma
Women with tan skin are in the group the American Academy of Dermatology says is most likely to develop melasma. Sun is a common trigger, and many people notice the patches more in summer.
Burns and skin cancer that are easy to miss
Skin cancer is less common in browner skin, but the AAD says it is often found later, sometimes on the palms, soles, or nails. Check those areas too, and see a dermatologist about any spot that grows, bleeds, or changes.
See a board-certified dermatologist about any spot, rash, or color change that is new, growing, or worrying you.
Color seasons for tan skin
Tan skin often lands in the autumn family: True Autumn and Deep Autumn for golden and olive tan, Soft Autumn for lower contrast. Tan skin with bright eyes and dark hair can be a Bright Spring.
Want a full palette for your coloring? Try the free seasonal color analysis.
Frequently asked questions
What colors look best on tan skin?
Saturated, rich colors: marigold, turquoise, and copper on warm tan; ruby, cobalt, and emerald on cool tan; coral red and jade on neutral tan. Crisp white also looks especially fresh.
Do people with tan skin need sunscreen?
Yes. Tan skin burns less, but UV still damages it and darkens spots, and skin cancer in browner skin is often found later. A tinted SPF 30 or higher blends in well.
What hair color suits tan skin?
Espresso, dark chocolate, caramel balayage, and burgundy. Platinum and ashy blondes are the hardest to wear.
Is tan skin the same as a suntan?
No. A tan skin tone is your natural color all year. A suntan is a temporary darkening from UV, and any skin tone that can tan will deepen in summer.
