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Olive skin is a human skin color spectrum. It is often associated with pigmentation in the Type IV to Type V range of the Fitzpatrick scale. It generally refers to light or moderate brown, brownish, or tannish skin, and it is often described as having yellowish, greenish, or golden undertones.
However, lighter olive skin on the lower end of the Type IV coloration range may be less brownish and can in fact become somewhat pale if it receives too little sun exposure. Lighter olive skin nonetheless tans more easily than does fair skin, and generally still retains notable yellow or greenish undertones.
Geographic distribution
Type IV coloration is frequent among populations from the Mediterranean, as well as parts of Asia and Latin America. It corresponds with moderate brown, typical Mediterranean skin tones. This skin tone rarely burns and tans easily.
Type V coloration is frequent among populations from the Middle East, parts of the Mediterranean, parts of Africa, Latin America, and the Indian subcontinent. It corresponds with darker brown, Middle Eastern skin tones. This skin tone is minimally reactive to ultraviolet radiation, rarely or very rarely burns, and tans quite easily.