Difference Between Green Eyes and Hazel Eyes


Eyes are the most expressive feature of the human face, and the color of the eyes plays an important role in the personality of an individual. There are different shades of eye color, but two of the most intriguing colors are green and hazel. Both green and hazel eyes are captivating, and many people get confused between the two. However, there are some differences between green and hazel eyes that distinguish them from each other. This essay will explore the difference between green and hazel eyes.

Green Eyes

The major pigmentation in green eyes is pheomelanin, which is reddish-yellow, and the quantity of melanin (group of natural pigments that makes the eyes look darker) is closer to that of blue eyes but less than that of brown eyes. A poll of more than 60,000 people found that most people think green is the most alluring shade of eye colour. There is a less probability of it being passed down from generation to generation, which may contribute to its allure (it is most closely associated with the recessive gene).

Green eyes are extremely rare; just around 2% of people have them. Green eyes are rather common in various nations of Northern and Central Europe, where their prevalence is greatest. Examples include the fact that nearly all Icelandic men and women have azure or blue eyes. The percentage of people in Edinburgh, Scotland who have green eyes is close to 30 percent.

Green eyes, which contain less melanin than brown eyes, may be more susceptible to the damaging effects of UV light. Consequently, persons with green eyes may have increased chances for ocular melanoma. Katie Holmes, Bruce Willis, Channing Tatum, Lindsay Lohan, and Adele are just few of the famous people who also happen to have green eyes.

Hazel Eyes

Hazel eyes have a higher concentration of the pigments eumelanin (brownish black) and pheomelanin (blue-green) than green eyes do (reddish-yellow). Just around 5% of people have hazel eyes, making it a somewhat uncommon eye colour. People of North African, Spanish, Brazilian, and Middle Eastern descent tend to have skin of this shade.

More than 60,000 people were polled on the topic of the most aesthetically pleasing eye colour, and hazel came in third place, behind only green and light blue. Due to lower melanin levels, those with hazel eyes are more susceptible to the harmful effects of the sun compared to those with brown eyes. Thus, they should use sunglasses as necessary. Some famous people, including Tyra Banks, Kevin Jonas, Ashley Greene, Emma Roberts, and Jared Padalecki, have hazel eyes.

Differences: Green and Hazel Eyes

One of the most significant differences between green and hazel eyes is the presence of flecks or spots. Green eyes do not usually have flecks or spots, while hazel eyes are known for their speckled appearance. The flecks or spots in hazel eyes can be any color, but they are usually brown or gold. The presence of flecks or spots in hazel eyes adds to their unique appearance and makes them stand out from other eye colors.

Another difference between green and hazel eyes is the intensity of the color. Green eyes are known for their intense and vivid color, while hazel eyes have a softer and more subtle appearance. The intensity of green eyes can vary depending on the amount of melanin in the iris, and they can appear to be more or less vivid depending on the lighting. Hazel eyes, on the other hand, have a softer appearance that is often described as warm and welcoming.

The following table highlights the major differences between Green Eyes and Hazel Eyes −

Characteristics

Green Eyes

Hazel Eyes

Melanin Amount

The melanin amount in green eyes is less than that of hazel eyes.

The melanin amount in hazel eyes is more than that of green eyes. It is closer to the color brown.

Dominant Pigmentation

The dominant pigmentation in green eyes is called pheomelanin which is giving off a reddish- yellow hue.

In comparison, there are two dominant pigmentations in hazel eyes; these are pheomelanin, like that of green eyes, and eumelanin which is brownish black.

Attractiveness

As compared to hazel, green is generally viewed as more attractive as an eye color.

A survey concluded that green eyes was ranked as the most appealing, this was followed by light blue, and the third most attractive was hazel. The list was followed by dark blue, gray, honey, amethyst, and brown.

Rarity

Having green eyes is rarer as compared to having hazel eyes. Around only two percent of the global population has green eyes while around five percent has hazel eyes. This uniqueness may also be a reason why green eyes are mostly viewed as more attractive than hazel eyes.

Hazel eyes are common as compared to green eyes.

Celebrities

The famous actors and actresses with green eyes include Scarlet Johansson, Kristen Stewart, Emma Stone, Charlize Theron, Bruce Willis, and Adrien Brody.

The famous actors and actresses with hazel eyes include Jared Padalecki, Tyra Banks, Emma Roberts, Jason Stathman, and Zachary Levi.

Regarding singers and musicians, those with green eyes include Adele, Rihanna, and Amanda Seyfried while those with hazel include Joe Jonas, Adam Levine, and John Mayer

Health Concerns

Those with green irises, they have higher tolerance for pain, are at lower risk to experience anxiety and depression, and have a higher risk of eye melanoma.

According to a survey, those with hazel irises are more likely to have low pain tolerance and are more prone to anxiety.

Number of Colors

Green eyes are generally characterized by a single solid hue.

Hazel eyes are a combination of brown, green, and/or gold. This is the reason why people with hazel eyes may seem like they have green eyes sometimes, depending on the lighting. This is also explained by the single dominant pigmentation, pheomelanin, in green eyes and the two dominant pigmentations, pheomelanin and eumelanin, in hazel eyes.

Conclusion

In conclusion, green and hazel eyes are two of the most captivating eye colors in the world. While they may appear similar at first glance, there are some key differences that distinguish them from each other.

Green eyes are rare and have a distinct shade of green that is caused by the amount of melanin in the iris, while hazel eyes are a combination of brown and green eyes with a speckled appearance. The intensity of green eyes is more vivid than hazel eyes, which have a softer and more subtle appearance.

Regardless of the differences between the two, both green and hazel eyes are beautiful and unique, and they add to the diversity of human eye colors. 

Updated on: 10-Apr-2023

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