What is Mocha Skin Tone? Unique Properties & Things to Know

There are so many skin tones out there that it can be difficult to determine your exact shade. This is especially true if you have darker skin as there are so many different beautiful brown shades out there to choose from.

While it’s true that knowing your skin tone can help you with makeup and outfit choices, it can also help you take care of your skin. As a result, it’s important to know your skin tone and adjust your skincare routine accordingly to take the best possible care of your skin.

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How To Identify Your Skin Tone

When you’re on the darker end of the skin tone spectrum, it can be difficult to identify your exact tone and determine how to properly care for it. While it’s true that there’s no shortage of dark skin tones out there, mocha is a unique skin tone that often requires special care and consideration to maintain its appearance.

On the Fitzpatrick Pigmentary Phototype Scale, mocha or dark skin is the last skin tone on the spectrum -- Type 6. This scale includes pale white skin at Type 1, white skin at Type 2, light brown skin at Type 3, medium brown skin at Type 4, dark brown skin at Type 5, and deeply pigmented dark brown skin at Type 6.

Individuals with this skin type typically originate from the African continent or the Caribbean islands. Individuals with this skin type do not experience sunburns and typically have dark hair and dark eyes.

If you’re still having trouble identifying your skin tone, here are some celebrities with mocha skin who you may recognize and relate to: Lupita Nyong'o, Viola Davis, Amber Riley, Keke Palmer, Kelly Rowland, Missy Elliott, and Naomi Campbell.

What You Need To Know About Mocha Skin

While not everyone with mocha skin will experience the same skin concerns, here are some things that you’re more likely to experience as someone with mocha skin:

Mocha skin tans very quickly when exposed to sunlight and does not experience sunburn as much as other skin tones do.
Mocha skin comes with a variety of different undertones that range from warm to cool.
Mocha skin may experience changes in tone throughout the year depending on exposure to sunlight.
Mocha skin typically ages very well and does not develop premature signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles.
Mocha skin may develop areas of hyperpigmentation as a result of sun exposure, hormones, or even medication.

How To Take Care of Mocha Skin

While it may be tempting to just ditch sun protection with mocha skin since you don’t experience sunburns, this could come back to bite you in the future. Just because you don’t experience sunburns now doesn’t mean that the sun isn’t damaging your skin! As a result, it’s always recommended that you apply sun protection on a regular basis.

Experts recommend using a broad-spectrum sunscreen product with an SPF of at least 30 on a daily basis. Be sure to apply this product to all areas exposed to the sun, including your face, neck, ears, scalp, hands, feet, etc. If you’re outside for an extended period of time or get wet at all, be sure to reapply your sun protection.

Since it’s easy for those with mocha skin to neglect sun protection, many individuals end up experiencing some form of hyperpigmentation as a result. And while hyperpigmentation may be a result of sun damage, it can also be caused by hormones from pregnancy, scarring, or even be a side effect from certain medications.

Hyperpigmentation appears differently on those with mocha skin and it is a common problem for those with this skin tone. There are many different ways to treat areas of hyperpigmentation, but skin tone should always be considered when choosing a treatment method. Many times, skin creams with lightening and brightening ingredients can do the trick. Other times, cosmetic procedures like chemical peels or laser treatments.

The Best Skincare Routine for Mocha Skin

Hopefully you won’t deal with hyperpigmentation, but if you do, your skincare routine can be used to effectively fight this skin concern and help you achieve an even and glowing skin tone. The best way to do this is to use products that are customized for your skin tone and skin concerns -- like hyperpigmentation.

PROVEN Skincare is a custom skincare brand that is able to develop tailored formulas based on your answers to our science-based online skin quiz.

Based on your answers and information compiled from the skincare industry, three Stanford scientists select the best formulas for your unique skin.

As a part of your PROVEN regimen, you will receive a cleanser, a moisturizer, and a night cream. If you deal with acne, for example, your cleanser might contain anti-acne ingredients like salicylic acid. If you deal with hyperpigmentation, your cleanser may contain exfoliating alpha hydroxy acids like azelaic acid, glycolic acid, or kojic acid that are able to remove the damaged top layer of skin to reveal the new and healthy layer of skin underneath. Additionally, hyperpigmentation can be treated overnight with your night cream that may be formulated with lightening and brightening agents including retinoids and Vitamin C.

So before you reach for harsh bleaching agents or consider invasive, painful, and expensive cosmetic treatments to get rid of dark spots across your mocha skin, first try addressing it with the right skincare products and routine.

The Rundown on Mocha Skin

Even though those with mocha skin may not be able to immediately see the signs of sun damage on their skin in the form of a red and angry sunburn, they can still experience long-term effects of sun damage.

As a result, it’s important to take care of your beautiful mocha skin with adequate and consistent sun protection. Additionally, you may need to deal with skin concerns that are unique to your skin type, like hyperpigmentation, through a tailored skincare regimen with effective products.

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