Melanin: Understanding the Skin's Natural Pigment

The primary pigment in skin is melanin. Melanin is a pigment that is responsible for the color of the skin, hair, and eyes. It is produced in the skin by melanocytes, which are cells that are found in the lower layer of the epidermis. Melanin is produced in response to ultraviolet radiation (UV) from the sun, and it helps to protect the skin from damage caused by UV radiation. Melanin also helps to give the skin its color, and the amount of melanin in the skin determines how light or dark it is.