Melanin

Melanin is a brown pigment found in melanosomes in the epidermis. The pigment absorbs light energy to help protect the dermis from ultraviolet (UV) radiation. People with dark or black skins will have more and larger melanosomes than those of light-skinned people.

Melanin is produced by skin cells called melanocytes. Ultraviolet radiation from the sun stimulates melanocytes to fill melanosomes with new melanin granules. The melanin pigment builds up in the melanosomes in your skin to provide a more protective barrier against the sun. The result is darker skin - or what you might call a ‘tan’.

Sun Protection Factor (SPF)

Some foundations offer an SPF (sun protection factor) as added protection for brief exposure to the sun. However, a separate sunscreen of SPF 15+ should be used if you intend to stay out in the sun for any period of time, e.g. doing sports activities.