Human (Homo sapiens) facial attractiveness in relation to skin texture andcolor

The notion that surface texture may provide important information about the geometry of visible surfaces has attracted considerable attention for a lo ng time. The present study shows that skin texture plays a significant role in the judgment of female facial beauty. Following research in clinical de rmatology, the authors developed a computer program that implemented an alg orithm based on co-occurrence matrices for the analysis of facial skin text ure. Homogeneity and contrast features as well as color parameters were ext racted out of stimulus faces. Attractiveness ratings of the images made by male participants relate positively to parameters of skin homogeneity. ne a uthors propose that skin texture is a cue to fertility and health. In contr ast to some previous studies, the authors found that dark skin. not light s kin, was rated as most attractive.