Take a look around you. Observe the individuals in your neighborhood. Examine the children in your school. Pay attention to the people around your town, at the mall, in church, and at sporting events. What do you observe? Perhaps you notice that individuals come in a variety of different colors. Have you ever wondered why that is the case?

Humans have been aware for a long time that individuals from different parts of the world often have different skin colors. For instance, individuals who resided in the tropics typically had darker skin than those who lived in colder climates.

Many scientists have conducted research on the human body. This has allowed them to gain a lot of knowledge about variations in skin color. Similar to eye and hair color, skin color is inherited through genes from parents to children. Experts have also observed that individuals from regions that receive similar amounts of ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the Sun tend to have similar colors.

A person’s skin color is determined by the quantity of melanin in their skin. Melanin is a dark brown to black pigment produced by specialized cells called melanocytes. The purpose of melanin is to assist the body in functioning and storing the necessary vitamins. Melanin also helps protect individuals from the Sun’s UV rays.

Individuals who reside in the tropics are exposed to higher levels of the Sun’s harmful UV radiation. According to Dr. Nina Jablonski, this makes it more difficult for the body to store folate, a vitamin that plays a crucial role in reproduction. As a result, their bodies produce more melanin, resulting in darker skin.

So, why do most people from northern regions tend to have lighter skin colors? When people migrated north, they began experiencing lower levels of UV radiation from the Sun. This resulted in a deficiency of vitamin D. To absorb more vitamin D, their skin needed less melanin so that more UV rays could pass through. Consequently, they developed lighter skin over time.

Ultraviolet radiation can also cause skin cancer. Melanin acts as a natural sunscreen, absorbing these UV rays and protecting the skin. Nonetheless, experts agree that the needs for folate and vitamin D are the primary factors influencing melanin production.

Today, individuals of all races, ethnicities, and nationalities travel and live all over the world. Your friends at school may have more or less melanin than you do. Members of your family may also produce different amounts. Remember, skin color should never be a justification for mistreating others. Historically, individuals with more melanin have faced discrimination and bias. What can you do to treat individuals of all colors with respect in your life?

Try It Out

We hope you enjoyed learning about the wide diversity of people living on Earth today! Find a friend or family member to help you continue exploring by checking out one or more of the following activities:

The Importance of Skin Care and Embracing Diversity

No matter the color of your skin, it is essential to prioritize its well-being. Today, take a moment to revisit previous skin-related Wonders of the Day with a friend or family member. Reflect on topics such as frostbite, freckles, blisters, goosebumps, and scars.

If you’re up for a challenge, expand your knowledge about a culture or nationality unfamiliar to you. Spin a globe and select a country or region you know little about. Utilize the Internet’s power to explore the lives of the people residing in that specific location. Afterward, share your discoveries with a loved one. Did anything surprise you? Can you identify any similarities between their culture and yours? What are the significant differences you observed?

Now, take a moment to examine yourself in the mirror. What do you see? How would you describe your skin, eye, and hair color? Beyond physical appearances, what traits do you appreciate about yourself? These qualities extend far beyond skin deep. Create a self-portrait and color it accordingly. On the back of your artwork, list at least ten things you admire about yourself. Share your masterpiece with a friend or family member and ask them to contribute to your list.

Wonder Sources

• Source 1: The Evolution of Skin Color (accessed 17 Mar. 2022)
• Source 2: Why Did Darker and Lighter Human Skin Colors Evolve? (accessed 17 Mar. 2022)
• Source 3: Skin Color and Melanin (accessed 17 Mar. 2022)
• Source 4: Modern Human Diversity – Skin Color (accessed 17 Mar. 2022)
• Source 5: Skin (accessed 17 Mar. 2022)