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Beauty Tips / 10 Aug 2026
Implovers, who's still confused when choosing foundation colors, clothes, or hair dyes because they're not sure about their own skin tone? Many are curious about what skintone and undertone are, and it turns out these two terms are often confused even though their meanings are different.
In short, skin tone encompasses the main visible skin color, such as light or dark. Meanwhile, undertone indicates the color beneath the skin surface, which can be warm, cool, or neutral in nature. So, to avoid any more confusion, let's thoroughly discuss the difference between skintone and undertone in this article.
In the beauty world, human skin color is actually divided into two important elements: skin tone and undertone. Skin tone is the surface color of the skin visible to the eye, such as ivory white, peachy yellow, tan, or dark. This color can change due to sun exposure, hyperpigmentation, or certain skin conditions.
On the other hand, undertone is the natural color just below the skin surface. This hue is determined by genetics, the percentage of melanin types, and blood circulation, making it permanent and not changing even if your skin becomes darker or lighter due to sun exposure.
So, if someone asks what the difference is between skintone and undertone, the answer is simple: skin tone is what is visible on the surface and can change, while undertone is the underlying base color that remains the same throughout life.
Generally, human skin undertones are classified into three main categories:
Interestingly, warm undertone has no relation to how light or dark the surface skin color is. Implovers with pale white skin can still have a warm undertone, while those with dark skin can also have a strong golden hue beneath their skin.
The skin color we have depends greatly on the production of melanin by melanocyte cells in the skin layer. There are two main types of melanin, namely eumelanin which gives brown to black color and helps absorb UV rays, and pheomelanin which produces yellow, red, or orange hues. Implovers with a higher proportion of pheomelanin usually have a warm undertone or lighter hair color.
In addition to melanin, the appearance of undertone is also influenced by how close capillary blood vessels are to the skin surface. In cool undertones, blue blood vessels are more visible due to less eumelanin, creating a bluish hue illusion. Meanwhile, in warm undertones, yellow or golden pigments act as an optical "filter" that makes blue vein blood vessels appear more greenish.
One thing to remember, although melanin provides some natural protection from UV rays, it is not enough to replace sunscreen. So, regardless of your undertone and skin tone, sunscreen should still be a mandatory part of your daily routine.
Implovers can try these simple tests at home, ideally under direct sunlight for more accurate results.
1. Check the color of your blood vessels (pulse veins) Look at the inside of your wrist under sunlight. If the veins appear green or greenish-yellow, it's a strong sign that you have a warm undertone. Conversely, if they tend to be blue or purple, you likely have a cool undertone.
2. Gold and silver jewelry test Hold gold and silver jewelry close to your face alternately. If gold makes your skin look more radiant and healthy, it's a sign of a warm undertone. If silver suits you better, it means you have a cool undertone.
3. Observe your skin's reaction to sunlight If your skin easily tans without burning, it indicates a warm tone. Conversely, if your skin immediately turns red and sunburns, it's usually a sign of a cool undertone.
4. White paper or plain white cloth test Compare the color of your face with a clean white paper or cloth. If your skin appears yellowish or golden, you fall into the warm undertone category. If it looks reddish, it means you have a cool undertone.
If the results of the above tests still feel mixed, chances are you have a neutral undertone, which means you actually have more flexibility in choosing colors.
After knowing each undertone type, the next step is to apply it in choosing clothing and makeup colors.
For Implovers with warm undertones, earth tone colors like mustard yellow, orange, brick red, caramel brown, and olive green will blend beautifully with your skin tone. It's best to avoid sharp cool colors like electric blue or amethyst purple, as they can make your face look pale or ashy.
When it comes to complexion, look for products with golden, honey, warm, beige, or caramel color descriptions. As for lipstick and blush, peach, coral, brick red, and warm brown colors will perfectly complement warm undertones.
On the other hand, if Implovers have cool undertones, colors like pink, blue, purple, and silver will enhance the natural beauty of the skin. Meanwhile, owners of neutral undertones have their own advantage because almost all colors, whether warm or cool, can be comfortably combined.
Although undertones cannot change, the health of the skin surface, or skin tone, still needs to be maintained. Issues like hyperpigmentation, dark spots, or dull skin can mask the skin's natural tone and make it look less fresh.
Some steps that Implovers can take to keep their skin tone healthy include regularly using broad-spectrum sunscreen every day to prevent damage from UV rays, and performing light exfoliation periodically to prevent the buildup of dead skin cells and make the skin look dull.
After understanding the differences and how to check them, the final step is to choose makeup products that truly blend with your skin color, so the result looks natural and not like a mask.
If Implovers are looking for a matte finish foundation that is comfortable to wear all day long, Implora Even Better Liquid Foundation could be a worthwhile choice. Its lightweight and buildable formula allows for layering as needed to conceal facial imperfections. Ingredients like Pearl Extract, Caviar, Collagen, and Aloe Vera also help maintain skin moisture, so the final result looks natural all day long.
Meanwhile, if Implovers prefer a dewy and glowing finish, especially for dry, combination, or normal skin, Implora Healthy Glow Cushion can also be a practical option for daily use. This cushion provides light to medium coverage evenly, with Hyaluronic Acid content that helps maintain moisture while giving a radiant effect to the skin.
Now it's clear about the difference between skin tone and undertone for Implovers, one can change, the other is the permanent base tone. By understanding both, you can confidently choose clothing and makeup colors that truly highlight the natural beauty of your skin. Happy exploring, Implovers!
