Skin tone

The player's skin tone is a feature that can be customized. In main series games prior to, all players start with a pale skin tone, and it can be changed by tanning, a process in which standing in the sun for prolonged periods of time darkens the player's skin tone. Beginning in, skin tone is selected by the player at the beginning of the game and can be changed later in a menu.

In
In, the player can tan by staying on Animal Island for prolonged periods of time. This can be done all year, and tanning can be prevented if the player is holding an umbrella.

In, , and
In, , and , the player can tan by staying in the sun during the summer, from July 16 to September 15, for prolonged periods of time. In and  there are five skin tones, and in  there are eight. Tanning can be prevented if the player is holding an umbrella or wearing certain headwear. If the player stays out of the sun, their tan fades away each day.

In
In, the player chooses between eight skin tones at the beginning of the game, and their skin tone can be changed at any time by using a mirror. As a result of this, tanning does not appear in. The 1.5.0 Fall Update, an item known as the, which can be purchased from the Nook Miles Redemption, was added. This item unlocks four Halloween-themed body paint options, which are treated as skin tones.