Why Do People Have Different Skin Colors?

People have different skin colors because of a special pigment called melanin. Some people have more melanin, which makes their skin look darker, while others have less melanin, making their skin lighter. It's like having different kinds of paint, some are brighter than others!

Melanin is made by special cells in the skin called melanocytes. These cells work hard to protect us from the sun. People who live closer to the equator, where it’s super sunny all year, usually have more melanin because they need extra protection.

When the sun shines on our skin, it tells our melanocytes to make more melanin. That’s why people get darker in the summer and lighter in the winter, like a natural tan that changes with the seasons!