Which type of melanin is associated with lighter skin tones?

Pheomelanin is the type of melanin that is primarily associated with lighter skin tones, as well as red and blonde hair. It has a lighter, yellow to reddish hue and contributes to the lighter pigmentation seen in individuals with these characteristics. People with a higher concentration of pheomelanin in their skin tend to have a fairer complexion, while eumelanin, which is darker and provides brown to black coloration, is more prevalent in individuals with darker skin tones.

Chromamelanin and hemomelanin are types of melanin that have different characteristics and are not directly associated with skin tone in the same way. Chromamelanin is involved in eye color and other pigments, while hemomelanin is related to blood and is largely present in tissues rather than in skin pigmentation itself. Thus, the association of pheomelanin with lighter skin tones stands out as the most relevant in this context.