For example, guys with blue eyes have an iris that melanin pigmentation that gives them their blue look. It also is the lead agent behind hair and eye color. Melanin, a complex polymer made from the amino acid tyrosine, is responsible for skin pigmentation. Because of harmful ultraviolet rays caused by the sun’s light, homo erectus evolved during the Pleistocene Epoch into darker tones to protect the dermis from damage. Our ancestors were in constant search for food, causing them to move into hot, open areas where food and water were abundant. In other words, why do some people have fair colored skin and others have a darker color?Īccording to information published on the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, the reason can be traced to adaptation and the location of early man in his relationship with the sun. People often wonder about skin color variation. Skin tones – shades of black BLACK MEN SKIN TONES Obviously, my list isn’t complete, but it does cover much of the gambit. I’ve taken the liberty of breaking down the different shades of black men, based on research and conversations with others. The truth is I was able to find TONS of pictures of super-hot black men with different skin tones. Well, it turns out that her advice was dead on. Having nothing to lose, I figured why not.