How does skin color vary among individuals?

Skin color varies primarily due to melanin production, which is the pigment responsible for the color of skin, hair, and eyes. Melanin is produced by cells called melanocytes, found in the epidermis. The amount and type of melanin produced can differ greatly among individuals, leading to a range of skin tones. There are two major types of melanin: eumelanin (which is brown or black) and pheomelanin (which is red or yellow). People with higher levels of eumelanin generally have darker skin, while those with more pheomelanin may have lighter skin tones.

The synthesis of melanin is influenced by genetic factors, meaning that an individual's skin color is largely hereditary. Additionally, exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight can stimulate melanin production, leading to a tanning effect, which further demonstrates the role of melanin in skin color variation.

While thickness of the skin and blood flow can contribute to the overall appearance of someone's complexion, these factors do not fundamentally determine skin color in the same way that melanin levels do. Changes in skin color due to environmental exposure, such as tanning, are also more of a response mechanism linked to melanin production rather than a primary factor influencing the natural color