Cristiano Ronaldo, Portuguese descent with olive complexion^[1]

Brazilian supermodel of German descent Gisele Bündchen with Olive complexion^[2]

Olive, beige, or tan skin (as well as the adjective "swarthy") describes a skin color range of some individuals, who may be of Caucasian, Mediterranean, Asian, or Middle Eastern descent. Named as such for its olive hue, or sun tanned appearance, it usually refers to a natural skin tone. It is sometimes used as a color terminology for race. Lighter olive skin, or those who get less sun exposure has a dull pale yellow appearance with a greenish hue to their skin.

Technically, olive, beige, and tan can refer to three subtly different colors, although common usage rarely differentiates them. What differentiates them from other skin tones is having a moderate amount of hemoglobin, melanin, and carotenoid when contrasted with paler and darker skin tones.^[3] Olive skin deals with blemishes and tans well. It tends to wrinkle less than fairer complexions, but the wrinkles formed are more likely to be deeper, due to a thicker sub cutis and dermis.^[4] Olive skin tends to be better moisturized than paler skin.^[5]

Olive skin is most common in the Mediterranean (in Southern Europe, North Africa and the Middle East), although similar skin tones are often found throughout corresponding latitudes in Asia,^[6][7] and a minority in other parts of Europe also share the characteristic.^[8] It also can be found where people of olive skin have migrated to, such as Latin America.^[9]

Among certain fair-skinned people, sun tanning to reach an olive-like skin tone is popular. However, historically, tanned skin was considered indicative of being lower class; evidence of laboring outdoors in the sun. In South Korea, Japan, and more recently, China, olive skin on women is considered in a negative light, and many go to various lengths to bleach it to a paler color.^[10]

[edit] See also

• Human skin color

[edit] References