What Is the Difference Between Overtone and Undertone?

Overtone and undertone are terms used to describe different aspects of skin color. Overtone refers to the natural skin color we can see on the surface, while undertone refers to the underlying tone behind the skin color we see.

Understanding the difference between these two terms can make it easier to understand skin color and Personal Color.

What Is Overtone?

Overtone is the natural skin color we can see on the surface. Each person can have a different level of lightness, depth, and overall appearance of their skin color.

Overtone can change due to several factors. For example, sun exposure can make the skin appear darker or more tanned. Certain skincare practices may also affect the appearance of the skin, while consuming large amounts of certain foods over an extended period—such as carrots—can sometimes make areas of the skin appear more yellow or orange.

This means that the skin color we see on the surface can look different at different times.

What Is Undertone?

Undertone refers to the underlying tone behind the skin color we see, and it is commonly described as Warm, Cool, or Neutral.

Compared with overtone, undertone is generally more stable. It does not simply change from Warm to Cool or from Cool to Warm just because the skin becomes tanned or the surface skin color appears lighter.

Overtone is the skin color we can see, while undertone is the underlying tone behind that visible skin color.

Overtone refers to visible skin color, which can appear to change due to several factors, while undertone is the underlying tone behind the skin color and is generally more stable.

How Are Overtone and Undertone Related to Personal Color?

Understanding overtone and undertone helps us recognize that the visible color of the skin and its underlying tone are not the same thing.

This distinction can provide a useful foundation for learning about Personal Color. It also helps explain why two people with a similar level of skin lightness or depth do not necessarily belong to the same Personal Color group.

In Summary: What Is the Difference Between Overtone and Undertone?

Overtone is the visible skin color that can appear to change due to several factors, while undertone refers to the underlying tone behind the visible skin color and is generally more stable.

Understanding the distinction between overtone and undertone can therefore provide a clearer foundation for understanding skin color and Personal Color.