Which pigment is responsible for the color of the skin?

Melanin is the primary pigment responsible for the color of the skin. It is produced by melanocytes, specialized cells located in the epidermis. The amount and type of melanin in the skin determine an individual's skin color, with more melanin leading to darker skin tones and less melanin resulting in lighter skin tones. Melanin also serves an important protective function by absorbing harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun, which helps reduce the risk of skin damage and certain skin cancers.

Other pigments do contribute to the overall appearance of the skin, but they do not determine skin color in the same way that melanin does. Keratin is a protein found in the skin, hair, and nails that contributes to the structure and strength of these tissues, but it does not influence pigmentation. Collagen, another structural protein, provides support and elasticity to the skin but is also not responsible for skin color. Hemoglobin, found in red blood cells, carries oxygen and gives a reddish hue to the skin, particularly in areas where blood vessels are close to the surface, but it is not a pigment in the same sense as melanin. Ultimately, it is melanin that is the key factor in establishing skin color.