By
Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 5:53 PM on 11th February 2012
Men with a healthier skin colour are more attractive to women than those with a masculine face, according to new research.
The study used photographs of 34 Caucasian and 41 black African men’s faces in controlled conditions to measure the skin colour of their faces.
It revealed that women found men more attractive if they had a more ‘golden’ colour skin.
Glow: Attractiveness is based on healthy skin according to new research
Dr Ian Stephen, who led the research, used a new computer technique to measure mathematically how masculine faces are.
Each face was then given a score.
Dr Stephen said: ‘The attractive colour in our face is affected by our health – especially by the amount of colourful antioxidant carotenoid pigments we get from fruit and vegetables in our diet.
‘They are thought to be good for our immune and reproductive systems, making us healthy and increasing fertility.
‘The masculinity of the face had no effect on the attractiveness of the face.’
Looking good on greens: Eating vegetables can make you more attractive
According to Dr Stephen, when humans find a member of the opposite sex attractive their brains are telling them they are an appropriate mate.
In evolutionary terms, people who are recognised as healthy fertile mates will be more successful at having offspring.
Dr Stephen also believes eating your five a day will make you look better than a tan would.
He said: ‘Most people think the best way to improve skin colour is to get a suntan, but our research shows that eating lots of fruit and vegetables is actually more effective.
He added: ‘Our study shows that being healthy may be the best way for men to look attractive.
‘We know that you can achieve a more healthy looking skin colour by eating more fruit and vegetables, so that would be a good start.’
The research was carried out by the School of Psychology at the University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus where Dr Stephen is based.
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Sounds more like honey attracting flies
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a good healthy bank account always helps more.
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A man with the LV glow looks even better.
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I agree with all the previous disparaging comments about this article – it’s obvious that the photos are not taken in the same ‘light’. Totally undermines the scientific credibility of Nottingham – which is a slap in the face for its students, past present.
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Orange glow will attract female rabbits.
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I would bet that given the choice between a healthy carrot munching penniless male and a grey unhealthy male millionaire I could guess which one most women would go for
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I can`t say I find the jaundiced look very attractive myself.
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Hmmm, is this the 100th or 110th survery carried out to discover what attracts women to men?
Just as pointless as the first survey since different responses are given to each survey question.
I think it is a given that women are attracted to men who are kind, have a sense of humour, are intelligence, friendly, have a warm personality and are compassionate.
Of course it helps if money is in the equation too – for the shallow of course!
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No way give me a Tom hardy any day
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Off you go then you British men out in the snow to get a tan!
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