This is a problem specific to the old system avatars like Ruth. The Facial Definition and Body Definition layers should apply white highlights. The Rosy Complexion and Lip Pinkness layers should apply red and pink colors to the face and lips. Instead, these layers are being rendered with their colors replaced with black.
Steps to reproduce:
  1. Wear the Ruth avatar from the system library (Library/Clothing/More Outfits/Ruth)
  2. Crank up Facial Definition, Body Definition, Rosy Complexion, and Lip Pinkness on Ruth's skin
  3. Ruth's skin is shaded black in spots where highlights should be, and on her lips and cheeks
Additional information:
These layers use grayscale TGAs as a layer mask, which are being promoted internally to four-channel textures with black fill. When the layer colors are multiplied against black, the result is black. If you replace the grayscale TGAs with four-channel versions that have a white fill color, you'll be able to see the colors render correctly on your own avatar.