What counts as dark skin? ——Analysis from multiple dimensions of science, culture and aesthetics
Recently, the definition and aesthetic standards of "dark skin" have become hot topics on social platforms. Especially with the popularization of diverse aesthetic concepts and innovation in the beauty industry, people's discussions on skin color classification have become more in-depth. This article will analyze from three aspects: scientific standards, cultural differences, and popular data, and sort out relevant hot content on the entire network in the past 10 days.
1. Scientific perspective: How to quantify skin color?

Skin color usually passesFitzpatrick scale(skin photosensitivity classification) or RGB color value measurement. The following is a scientific reference for common skin color classifications:
| Classification criteria | Type | Feature description | Examples of applicable groups |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fitzpatrick scale | Type I | Sunburns easily, never tans | Nordic white people |
| Type III | Possible sunburn, gradual tanning | East Asian majority | |
| Type VI | Not easy to sunburn, dark skin | Some people in Africa and South Asia | |
| Note: Types IV-V are often classified as "dark skinned" |
2. Cultural Differences: Comparison of Global Perceptions of “Dark Skin”
According to recent Twitter and TikTok topic statistics, there are significant differences in the definition of "dark skin" in different regions:
| area | Popular tags | focus of discussion | typical view |
|---|---|---|---|
| Europe and America | #DarkSkinBeauty | against color discrimination | "Dark skin color is a gift of genes" |
| East Asia | #wheatmuscle | The rise of healthy aesthetics | "Rejection of Whitening Anxiety" |
| South Asia | #BrownSkinPride | Traditional whitening concepts are loosening | “Dark skin color has nothing to do with caste” |
3. Hotspot tracking: popular content on the entire network in the past 10 days
Combining Google Trends and Weibo hot searches (as of October 2023), the following is the relevant topic data:
| platform | hot topics | Search volume increase | key events |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Suntanning vs. Self-tanning" | 320% | An actress posted a tanning comparison photo | |
| TikTok | "NoFilterMelanin" | 180% | User initiates original camera skin color challenge |
| YouTube | “Concealer Tutorial for Dark Skin Tone” | 95% | Fenty Beauty new product review |
4. Aesthetic controversy: Where is the boundary of black skin?
Recent controversial cases show that there are clear differences in people's understanding of "dark skin":
1.tanning controversy: An Internet celebrity achieved Fitzpatrick V-shaped skin color by using a tanning bed, and was accused by some netizens of "plundering black culture", while supporters believed that "aesthetics should be diversified."
2.beauty standards: A certain brand's "dark foundation" was revealed to be only Type III in actual shade, triggering criticism of "false tolerance."
Conclusion
Scientifically, "dark skin" can be objectively defined on a scale, but cultural and social factors make it a fluid concept. With the rise of movements such as #MelaninPride, modern society is gradually transforming "dark skin" from an aesthetic label into a symbol of identity. As dermatologist Dr. Lynn McKinley-Grant said in "The Science of Skin": "The depth of skin is essentially the badge of human adaptability to the environment."
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