Melanin is a pigment found within our bodies that is responsible for skin tone and color, eye color, and hair color, as well as protecting us against harm from UV rays.
There are two types of melanin that are responsible for pigmentation, eumelanin (associated with dark tones, such as brown and black) and pheomelanin (associated with reds and yellows). A person's melanin levels are primarily due to genetics, however the production of melanin is affected by UV exposure, age, hormones, inflammation and some skin disorders.
