Skin Tone vs Skin Undertone: What’s the Difference and Why It Matters

Key Takeaways

  • Natural glow begins with knowing your skin tone, your undertone, and the colors that let you shine. 

  • Understanding what is skin tone and what is undertone is a language of self-expression. It is going to help you choose foundations, lipsticks, clothes, and even skin care that can amplify your skin's natural brilliance.

In This Article

Key Takeaways

Introduction

What Is Skin Tone?

What Is Undertone?

Key Differences Between Skin Tone And Skin Undertone

How To Know Your Skin Tone

How To Identify Undertone

Importance of Knowing Your Skin Tone And Undertone

Common Misconceptions About Skin Tone And Undertone

Introduction

Your skin is layered, nuanced, and beautifully unique. To read it well, you must understand both the surface and the undertone.

No matter if you're browsing through makeup or aisles, or picking out the best products for skincare routine, one doubt continues to linger. Why does the same lipstick flatter my best friend, but make my face look dull? The secret lies in knowing the difference between skin tone and skin undertone. We believe that self-care starts with self-knowledge. Knowing your skin tone and skin undertone is not just about choosing the right makeup, but also about unlocking your natural radiance by making mindful choices for skin care, fashion, and beyond.

What Is Skin Tone?

Skin tone refers to the visible color of your skin's surface. It is determined by the amount of melanin that you have. Melanin is the pigment that gives skin its color. The color complexion can be described as fair, light, medium, tan, deep, or dark. 

Skin tone is what you see in the mirror every day. It may change with the sun, but in essence, it always remains yours. 

Your skin tone can change. For instance, you may tan after a beach vacay, or it may become lighter in colder months. Factors like sun exposure and environmental aggressors can influence different types of skin tone.

What Is Undertone?

Now let us touch upon the subtle and constant shade beneath your skin, the undertone. If you are wondering about the undertone meaning, let us talk about that in a little detail. 

It is the underlying color that defines whether your skin leans towards warm, cool, or neutral undertones. Unlike skin color, undertone can never change. 

Types of undertones;

If you want to know about how to identify undertones while choosing face care products, just read along. 

  • Cool undertones; pink, red, or blue hints. 

  • Warm undertones; golden, peach, or yellow hues. 

  • Neutral undertones; a balance of warm and cool. Neutral undertones are versatile and flexible. 


If your skin tone is the outfit, the undertone is your vibe. It does not change, but plays a major role in defining your look. 

Even if you are tan, your undertone stays the same. That is why your favorite foundation shade works like a dream all through the year; If you choose the best foundation shades for different skin undertones.

Talking of tan, you can always browse through Ghar Soaps’ range of tan reduction products to protect your natural skin tone. 

Key Differences Between Skin Tone And Skin Undertone

Here is a breakdown of the difference between skin tone and skin undertone;

Aspect

Skin Tone

Undertone

Types

Fair, light, medium, tan, deep

Warm, cool, neutral

Changes Over Time

Yes, with sun, skincare, or environment

No, it remains the same

Visibility

Surface level, easily visible

Subtle, beneath the skin, harder to notice

Influence

Determines depth of your complexion

Decides how colors and shades look on you

Sun Reaction

May tan or burn but you can protect your skin tone with the right choice of bath soaps, exfoliate products etc. 

Remains unaffected

Makeup Impact

Decides foundation shade depth

Decides whether the shade looks natural

Example

Fair skin tone

Warm undertone with fair skin


How To Know Your Skin Tone 

If you have ever thought about what is my skin color or how to determine skin tone, take a look at these easy steps. 

  • Natural Light Test 

If you look at your bare skin in natural daylight, you will be able to identify your skin tone. 

  • Color Chart 

You can compare your skin color with standard different skin complexion charts. Consequently, you will be able to identify your skin color as fair, medium, or deep. 

  • Tanning 

Yes, your tanning reaction can also help you identify your color complexion. Do you tan easily? That suggests a medium to deep skin tone. And if you get a sunburn quickly, you likely have a light skin tone. Accordingly, you can choose your body care products to align with your unique skin needs. 

How To Identify Undertone

For all those who are wondering how to know undertone, here are three classic tests that can help;

  • Vein test

Green veins mean warm undertones, blue or purple veins mean cool undertones, and a mixed shade means neutral undertones. 

  • Jewelry test

If gold looks better on you, you've got a warm undertone. Silver or diamond suits cool undertones better. If both work well for your skin color, you've got neutral undertones. 

  • White fabric test

If pure white color suits you, you've got a cool undertone. If green suits you better, you've got a warm undertone. And if both suit you equally, you've got a neutral undertone. 

Your undertone is your skin's quiet truth. It never changes, but only reveals itself.

Importance of Knowing Your Skin Tone And Undertone

Understanding the difference between skin tone and undertone can affect a lot of things. Makeup. If you want to find the best foundation shade for different skin undertones, make sure that your base looks seamless. Wrong knowledge of undertone can make you look grey, orange, or totally washed out. 

  • Fashion

Choosing clothing colours for warm undertone skin vs cool undertones makes a huge difference. For warm undertones, you can go with mustards or corals, whereas emeralds will look very good on cool undertones. 

  • Skincare

Different skin tones and undertones respond uniquely to skincare. You can explore Ghar Soap’s range of skincare products for dull skin, acne products, etc. that are tailored to your unique needs. 

  • Confidence

When your skincare products, makeup, and outfits complement your skin undertone, your natural beauty will be able to shine effortlessly.

Common Misconceptions About Skin Tone And Undertone

Here are some common misconceptions about different skin complexions and undertones. 

Myth 1. 

Skin tone and undertone are the same. 

Truth; Where skin tone can change, undertone remains constant. 

Myth 2. 

Fair skin means cool undertones. 

Truth; Fair skin can also have warm or neutral undertones. 

Myth 3. 

Undertones do not matter. 

Truth; Your skin undertone matters more than you think. No matter if you are choosing clothing colors for warm undertone skin or for cool undertone, or choosing makeup or skincare; knowing about your undertone can help you make better choices.

Popular Blogs

Benefits Of Saffron For Skin

How To Reduce Tan From Face

How To Exfoliate Skin

Kojic Acid Benefits For Skin


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

01. Can my skin tone change but undertone stay the same?

Yes, your skin tone can shift with the sun or environment, but your undertone is permanent.

02. How to improve skin tone?

Consistent hydration, sun protection, and using natural skin care products like skin brightening products from Ghar Soaps can help improve your skin tone.

03. Why is undertone important when choosing a foundation?

Knowing about your undertone is very important when choosing foundation because even the right shade can make you look grey or dull if undertones don't match.

04. Do certain skincare products work better for specific undertones?

Yes, products that enhance radiance and balance out your skin tone and undertone will always complement your natural hue.

05. Is it necessary to consider skin tone and undertone when choosing makeup?

Absolutely. It is the secret to enhancing your natural beauty through makeup.