Scientists say there are more than 30 different skin colors. The colors go from almost black to pinkish white. Sunlight is the cause.
Long ago, our ancestors lived in Africa. They had just a few shades of dark skin. Dark skin protects best against sunburn. It also helps protect against skin cancer, which is a set of unhealthy changes in skin. Skin cancer is usually caused by being out in sunlight too much. Sunlight contains ultraviolet light, and too much of that can lead to skin cancer.
About 100,000 years ago, people moved to other continents. In places with less sunlight, people’s skin turned lighter. They no longer needed dark skin to protect against ultraviolet light. Light skin lets in more sunlight. This means the skin can make more vitamin D. That’s an important vitamin. It does many things, like helps us absorb calcium. Calcium makes bones grow strong.
