Orange Tan vs Desert Skin

How close are they?

ΔE 10.5, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Desert Skin is a little darker, more muted, warmer than Orange Tan.

Can I use Desert Skin instead of Orange Tan?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 10). Desert Skin is a little darker, more muted, warmer than Orange Tan.

Can I use Orange Tan instead of Desert Skin?

The same difference applies the other way round: Orange Tan is a little lighter, more saturated, cooler.

ΔE is the colour difference between our two swatch estimates: under about 6 is close, over about 15 is loose. Real paints also differ in finish, coverage and how they thin, so test before you commit.