How is skin color determined in humans?

Skin color in humans is primarily determined by the type and amount of melanin produced by melanocytes in the skin. Melanin production is influenced by genetic factors, with multiple genes playing a role in determining variations in skin tone. Environmental factors, such as exposure to sunlight, can also affect melanin levels, leading to changes in skin pigmentation over time. Additionally, evolutionary adaptations to different climates have shaped the distribution of skin colors across populations.