What Is Ebony Skin Tone? (With Pictures)

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You likely have heard the skin tone name: ebony skin. Are you curious about what ebony skin tone looks like? How do you describe people with ebony skin?

What is ebony skin tone? Ebony skin tone is generally used as a compliment to someone who has a dark shade that is smooth and beautiful. The word ebony is synonymous with dark skin or black, with no brown undertone.

The term itself came from dark hardwood, which originated from southern India and Sri Lanka. Light ebony skin tone is slightly lighter than dark ebony skin tone. 

Ebony skin tone can be classified as type 6 on the Fitzpatrick Pigmentary Phototype Scale. Skin types on type 6 of the Fitzpatrick Scale never burns. The hair color is black, and the eye color is usually very dark brown.

Fitzpatrick Skin Tone Scale
Fitzpatrick Skin Tone Scale

Read on to learn more about ebony skin tone, including examples of celebrities with ebony skin. I’ll also list the best colors to go with ebony skin tone, as well as skin care tips for anyone with ebony skin.

Also, for an excellent hydrating toner for people with ebony skin, take a look at our top pick, the Erno Laszlo Hydraphel Skin Supplement, Hydrating Toner:

Click here to see it on Amazon.

What Is Ebony Skin Tone? (With Pictures)

Skin color plays a significant role in our society. Aside from being a biological trait affected by the intensity of sunlight where one resides, skin color has also obtained a cultural meaning, which influenced interactions in so many ways.

ebony skin tone
Ebony Wood

As mentioned earlier, people with ebony skin tone have dark skin without an indication of brown. The word ebony refers to dense, black hardwood.

Black piano keys and black chess pieces are often made from ebony wood. However, true ebony skin or dark ebony skin tone is quite rare. Light ebony skin tone is slightly lighter than dark ebony skin tone. 

Dermatologists, plastic surgeons, and skincare professionals use the Fitzpatrick scale as a tool to classify your skin type and color. The tool is based on a person’s response to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure.

On this scale, the ebony skin tone falls on the sixth type. In general, people with type VI skin tone have dark skin with the following characteristics:

  • Skin that never burns
  • Skin that tans easily and darkly
  • Never freckles
  • Deeply pigmented skin
  • Dark brown eyes
  • Natural black hair
  • Very high risk for abnormal scarring, specifically keloid scars

Moreover, people with ebony skin tone often come from African and African-Caribbean heritage. 

PennToday stated that people who came from the Nilo-Saharan ancestry and those who reside across the Sub-Saharan areas tend to have darker skin.

Other populations associated with having dark ebony skin tone include South Asian Indians and Australo-Melanesians.

Famous People with Ebony Skin Tone

To help you visualize the appearance of this skin tone, I listed some famous people below with the lovely ebony skin tone: 

1. Tika Sumpter

dark ebony skin tone
Tika Sumpter – ebony skin
ID 126818171 © Anita Zvonar | Dreamstime.com

2. Aissa Maiga

light ebony skin tone
Aissa Maiga – Ebony skin tone
ID 140322977 © Denis Makarenko | Dreamstime.com

3. Brandy Norwood

ebony skin
Brandy Norwood – ebony skin
ID 34642508 © Sbukley | Dreamstime.com

Like other skin tones, ebony ranges from dark to light skin tone. Dark ebony skin tone doesn’t have brown tones, while light ebony skin has a slight hint of brown.

Makeup Shades for Ebony Skin Tone

It can be frustrating to find makeup products that can enhance or complement ebony skin tone or similar complexions. African-American skin with gray undertones can be enhanced using red, mauve, and magenta makeup colors. 

Foundation

For your foundation, you should choose one that matches your skin color, including the color of your neck. Once you find the right foundation for your skin, you’ll have a base with which you can try to apply new makeup shades. 

Blush

For your blush, choose deep and vibrant colors. Take note that you have to apply more blush during the evening. You can also consider using bronzers to enhance your ebony skin tone further. 

Eye Shadow

To accentuate your eyes, consider using jewel tones like purple and emerald green. Gold and bronze will look great on your eyes if you have warm undertones. Use blue and gray if you are cool-toned. Make your eyes pop even more with blue mascara.  

Lipstick

For your lips, choose richer and more saturated colors, such as pink, red, and brown. 

What to Wear When You Have Ebony Skin Tone? 

colors to wear for ebony skin tone

People with ebony skin tone are often afraid of wearing bright colors when, in fact, they get more freedom in experimenting with wearing them. However, if you dislike bright colors, it is safe to choose white, shades of purple, pink, peach, orange, yellow, and green. 

To help determine the colors that will look best on you, you need to know your skin’s undertone first. People with ebony skin tone who fall on the warm end of the spectrum will look great in these colors: 

  • Peach
  • Gold
  • Bronze
  • Orange-red
  • Brown

If you have a light ebony skin tone with a cool undertone, try to stick to: 

  • Blue
  • Purple
  • Silver
  • Pink
  • Blue-red

Skin Care Tips for Ebony Skin Tone

skin care tips for ebony skin tone

1. Manage Your Scars

To prevent yourself from getting scars, you should be careful and aware of how you can protect and manage your wounds. Managing your wound should include minimizing the risk of skin inflammation and infection.

You can avoid these skin problems by maintaining moisture in your skin and massaging your wound to decrease pain, itching, thickness, discoloration, and redness. 

2. Skin Checkup

People with dark skin tone or those with high melanin should visit a doctor at least once a year because they are more prone to lentiginous melanoma, a type of cancer that develops on the palms and soles of the feet.

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, African-Americans diagnosed with melanoma only found out about it when it was in the later stage.

If you have Type VI skin tone and uses an indoor tanning bed, your risk of having skin cancer is higher. You should look out for the sudden appearance of any of the following spots on your skin: 

  • New mole
  • Moles that are getting bigger
  • A portion of your skin that changes in color
  • A sudden appearance of a lump on your skin
  • Changes in skin texture
  • Itchy or bleeding moles

3. Limit Your Exposure to the Sun

Too much exposure to the sun will cause dark spots or hyperpigmentation on your skin. Therefore, to avoid this problem, limit your exposure to the sun, or follow my next tip.  

4. Wear Protective Clothing Aside from Hats, Sunglasses, and Sunscreen

Help your skincare products work better by wearing sun-protective garments. Also, remember to wear sunscreen even when you don’t have plans on going outside to protect yourself from other sources of UV rays.

Sources of UV rays include computer screens, sunlight from the window, UV rays from fluorescent bulbs, halogen lamps, and other electronic gadgets, among others.

5. Moisturize and Cleanse Your Skin Daily

Cleansing and moisturizing daily after taking a shower will make your skin clean and look supple.

6. Choose Products That Can Treat Hyperpigmentation

Hyperpigmentation can be treated with skin care products that have the following ingredients: vitamin C, retinoids, hydroquinone, and kojic acid.

7. Treat Your Acne Before They Cause Dark Spots

Treat your acne early and avoid touching or squeezing pimples to save you from having dark spots or hyperpigmentation

Dark spots don’t appear as clear, of course, on ebony skin tone, whether you have light ebony skin tone or dark ebony skin tone; however, it is still important to prevent acne from flaring up and forming dark spots.

8. Eat a Balanced Diet, Get Adequate Sleep, and Exercise Regularly

Of course, these products and tips will not do much if you are not eating a balanced diet, along with getting enough sleep and exercise.

9. Use an Alcohol-free Hydrating Toner and Serum

Serums and alcohol-free toners are milder and gentler on your skin than alcohol-based products. They allow better healing of your skin and won’t further irritate it.

Skin Care Products for Your Ebony Skin Tone

The following skincare products can help keep your ebony skin healthier and smoother, whether you have dark ebony skin or light ebony skin tone.

1. SimplyVital Face Moisturizer Collagen Cream 

Click here to see it on Amazon.

SimplyVital Face Moisturizer Collagen Cream is an ultimate anti-aging powerhouse formulated with retinol, collagen, and hyaluronic acid to combat the signs of aging and keep the skin moisturized, imparting a youthful glow.

This potent moisturizer aids in boosting skin renewal and elasticity, effectively smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles for a rejuvenated appearance.

With the maximum concentration of retinol, the cream provides gentle yet effective treatment, working to rejuvenate and rebuild the skin from deep layers to the surface.

The inclusion of hyaluronic acid ensures thorough moisturization at all levels, leaving the skin softer and more hydrated. The natural collagen moisturizer nourishes the skin with natural ingredients and stimulates collagen production, addressing the effects of aging.

Proudly made in the USA in GMP-certified laboratories with the highest manufacturing standards, SimplyVital prioritizes quality and uses powerful, gentle natural formulas.

The brand is committed to customer satisfaction, offering a guarantee of happiness and making things right for customers who may be unsatisfied with their purchase.

2. Erno Laszlo Transphuse Night Serum

For busy women, it can be tedious and tiring to maintain a 15-step skincare routine. So, we suggest that you get yourself a serum. A serum contains molecules smaller than those found in creams and lotions.

For this reason, this product allows the easy absorption of the essential elements your skin needs. Ebony skin tone, and other darker skin colors, show fewer signs of aging over time; however, it is still important to use a good quality serum to avoid signs of aging.

One serum we can recommend is the Erno Laszlo Transphuse Night Serum. This night serum can diminish the signs of fatigue incurred throughout your day.

Click here to see it on Amazon.

It can help refine your pores, smoothen your skin, reduce the signs of aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles, and, more importantly, help your skin to retain moisture. Aside from these benefits, Erno Laszlo took the time to infuse this serum with lavender oil, a scent that can relax you instantly. 

Refining your pores, smoothing your skin, and reducing the signs of skin aging are made possible by the following formulation: 

  • Pro-BioBalance Complex: Restores balance and strengthens your skin’s immune system; thus, nourishing your skin. 
  • Palmitoyl Peptides: Stimulates the production of collagen, a chemical that helps maintain your skin’s elasticity. 
  • Acmella oleracea: Smoothens your skin by relaxing contractions in your facial muscles. 
  • Lavender Oil: Encourages adequate rest. 

Aside from these beneficial ingredients, this product is also free from parabens, colorants, sulfates, and phthalates. Ultimately, you won’t need a skincare routine with over 15 steps when you choose to use this serum. 

3. Erno Laszlo Hydraphel Skin Supplement – Hydrating Toner

Toners are being used by people to treat their acne and oiliness. But beyond that, did you know that toners are also used for other purposes, such as skin hydration?

The Erno Laszlo Hydraphel Skin Supplement – Hydrating Toner) is made to hydrate your skin while treating your acne. 

Click here to see it on Amazon.

As I mentioned earlier, people with ebony skin tone should treat their acne as soon as possible before scarring occurs. Included in this hydrating toner’s ingredients are glycerin, provitamin B5, and comfrey root. 

This product, and like other hydrating products should be, is alcohol-free because alcohol can make your skin dry.

Glycerin is an excellent hydrating ingredient because it tends to attract and retain moisture. And lastly, comfrey root can soothe your irritated skin. 

ConclusionWhat Is Ebony Skin Tone?

So, to revisit our initial question: What is ebony skin tone? People with ebony skin tone have dark skin without a hint of brown. The Senegalese model, Khoudia Diop, displays this type of skin tone.

On the Fitzpatrick scale, this type of skin tone, whether it is dark ebony skin tone or light ebony skin tone, is classified as type VI. Type VI skin is dark, tans easily and quickly, never freckles, and deeply pigmented.

People with this type of skin have dark brown to black eyes and dark hair. Moreover, they are more prone to scarring. People with this type of skin tone often have African or African-Caribbean heritage.

Taking care of light ebony and dark ebony skin tone is just like taking care of other types of skin tone. However, special attention must be given if you have ebony skin, particularly if you have wounds and hyperpigmentation.

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