Melanin is a natural biological pigment responsible for skin, hair, and eye coloration, providing protection against UV radiation by absorbing and scattering harmful rays. In topical formulations it is studied for its antioxidant and photoprotective properties.
| Reported effect | How often | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Local irritation or redness | Rare | Possible mild irritation at application site, generally with high concentrations. |
Allergic contact reaction | Very rare | Hypersensitivity to melanin or its carrier ingredients is uncommonly reported. |
Temporary skin staining or discoloration | Uncommon | Pigment may transiently tint the skin surface depending on formulation. |
Frequencies reflect typical cosmetic use reported in the literature, not a guarantee for your skin.
Peer-reviewed papers on this ingredient, via PubMed.