Melanin is…

…the pigment behind the colour of skin, hair and eyes, and one of the most misunderstood words in skin care. This site explains, with sources, what melanin does, what it does not do, and what that means when you shop for sunscreen and skin care.

Three things worth knowing

Common beliefWhat the sources say
Darker skin has more pigment cellsPeople have a similar concentration of melanocytes; what differs is how much melanin they make and of which type.
Melanin-rich skin does not need sunscreenDermatologists still recommend broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher. Melanoma in people of colour is often caught later.
Dark spots are just cosmeticMelasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation are more common in darker skin and are worsened by UV.
The scienceEumelanin, pheomelanin and the Fitzpatrick scale. Sun protectionSPF, reapplying and the white-cast problem. HyperpigmentationMelasma, triggers and treatments. Black-owned beautyHow Target started labelling and expanding Black-owned brands.
Sources
  1. Melanin, Wikipedia
  2. Sun Protection Tips for Those with Black and Brown Skin, Boston University, 29 July 2022 (with Dr. Lisa Shen, Boston Medical Center)
  3. Melasma, Wikipedia