-Name the factors that determine skin color Skin color is determined by the amount of melanin present in the skin. Three other factors that decide your skin color are: 1) The eumelanin, which is the brown or black color pigment, to pheomelanin, which is the reddish color pigment, ratio decides the skin tone; when more eumelanin is present the skin is darker. 2) Absolute concentration and amount of melanin present in the skin 3) The spread, size, and number of melanosomes -Describe the function of melanin Melanin pigment is found in cells called melanocytes, which can be found in the epidermis. Melanin causes darkening of the skin, and sometimes the darkening is causes by the release of hormones by the pituitary gland. These hormones stimulate the melanocytes to produce more melanin and in turn makes the skin darker.