MEN with a healthier skin color are more attractive to women than those with a masculine face, according to a new research by British scientists.

    The study used photographs of 34 Caucasian and 41 black African men’s faces in controlled conditions to measure the skin color of their faces.

    It revealed that women found men more attractive if they had a more “golden” skin color.

    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 color in our face is affected by our health — especially by the amount of colorful 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.”

    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 recognized as healthy fertile mates will be more successful at having offspring.

    Dr. Stephen also believes eating five pieces of fruit a day will make you look better than a tan would.

    He said: “Most people think the best way to improve skin color 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 color 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.

    (SD-Agencies)