What exactly makes our skin beige?

[Dragonfall]

Or the darker and lighter variants?

 

[DaveC426913]

Your skin is beige??

Mine's pink (with a tinge of yellow - a sort of flesh colour).


What affects the various shades and tints is primarily http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melanin#Melanin_in_humans". It's also what tans you.

 

[oswaler]

Our skin color is determined by a pigment called melanin, which is produced by specialized cells called melanocytes. The amount and type of melanin produced by these cells is influenced by genetic factors, as well as environmental factors such as exposure to sunlight.

The varying shades of beige, as well as darker and lighter variants, are a result of the different levels of melanin present in the skin. People with lighter skin have less melanin, while those with darker skin have more melanin. The specific shade of beige is determined by the type of melanin present. For example, eumelanin produces a darker brown color, while pheomelanin produces a lighter yellow-red color.

The production of melanin is also influenced by evolutionary factors. For instance, people living in regions with higher levels of sun exposure tend to have darker skin, as the melanin helps protect against harmful UV rays. On the other hand, those living in regions with less sun exposure tend to have lighter skin, as it allows for better absorption of sunlight and synthesis of vitamin D.

It is important to note that skin color is a complex trait and is not determined by a single gene. There are many genes involved in the production and regulation of melanin, and their interactions with each other and the environment contribute to the wide range of skin colors we see in the human population.

In summary, our skin color is determined by the amount and type of melanin produced by melanocytes, which is influenced by genetic and environmental factors. The varying shades of beige and other skin colors are a result of this complex interplay of factors.