Melanin is a pigment found in your skin, hair, and eyes. It plays a crucial role in protecting your cells from harmful UV radiation from the sun. Melanin absorbs these rays, preventing them from damaging your DNA and causing skin cancer.
Additionally, melanin provides pigmentation, which is what gives your skin, hair, and eyes their color. The more melanin you produce, the darker your skin, hair, and eyes will be.
Melanin's role in protecting your skin and cells from UV damage is vital. This protective function helps to prevent sunburn, premature aging, and the development of skin cancer. It has also been suggested that melanin might have played an important role in the evolution of humans, helping to protect our ancestors from the harsh sun.