Olive skin

Olive skin describes a skin color spectrum that originates and frequents among populations from the Mediterranean, Southern Europe, Middle East, North Africa, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, parts of East Asia, and parts of South Asia.

Skin scale

Olive skin is often associated with coloration in the 25-30 range of the Fitzpatrick scale. However, this scale measures depth of skin color and reaction to UV rays, not hue of skin color.

Etymology

Named for its green and gold undertones (the color of an olive), it refers to an earthy skin tone which can be warm, neutral, cool, or anything in between. Typically olive skin is a darker complexion that is naturally tanned, however can be lighter in color as well. Fair olive-skinned people have light skin that in cold weather may seem "fair" or "pale", but a slight but usually noticeable olive hue remains. This distinguishing aspect of the skin type is what contributes to its name and differentiates it from other skin types.

See also

• Human skin color