Melanin is synthesized by melanocytes in the basal layer of the epidermis. When transferred to surrounding keratinocytes it is the key UVR‐protective biopolymer responsible for skin pigmentation.

Most melanin is observable in the proliferative basal layer of the epidermis, and only sparsely distributed in the stratifying/differentiating epidermis. The latter has been explained, despite formal evidence, to ‘melanin degradation’ in supra‐basal layers.

Read more…