The primary melanin responsible for the brown hue of human skin is eumelanin, which is generated by melanocytes found in the basal layer of the epidermis. The primary job of this pigment is to shield the skin's DNA from damage by absorbing and dispersing the sun's damaging ultraviolet (UV) rays. The tone of brown skin is determined by the type and quantity of melanin generated; darker skin has more eumelanin. Although melanin production is essential for defense, it is also impacted by genetics and sun exposure, which causes differences in skin tone among communities and individuals.