skincoloured

Skincoloured is an adjective describing a color intended to resemble human skin. In practice there is no single universal skincoloured shade, because human skin tones vary widely across individuals and populations. The term is most often encountered in fashion, cosmetics, and product labeling to indicate a color that is meant to be unobtrusive or to blend with the wearer's skin.

Spelling and usage vary by region. British English commonly writes skin-coloured with a dash, American English prefers skin-colored, and some contexts use skincoloured as a single word, though this last form is less common.

Applications and contexts

In textiles and fashion, skincoloured or related terms describe fabrics or undergarments designed to be discreet under clothing. In cosmetics, foundation and concealer shades aim to match a range of skin tones; product labels may reference skin tone rather than a single skincoloured shade. In art and design, color names such as flesh, peach, beige, and related terms have historically been used to describe light to medium skin tones, though these names and their associations have evolved.

Cultural considerations

The concept of a universal skincoloured shade has faced criticism for oversimplifying skin diversity and for implying a single standard of "normal." In response, many brands and institutions use broad skin-tone palettes and descriptive names that acknowledge a spectrum of tones, rather than a single skincoloured category.

See also

Skin tone, nude color, flesh color.