Both melanin and melatonin are chemicals found in living organisms and are responsible for various functions in the body. Their functions, existence and synthesis clearly say that they are very different from each other, but people often get confused when using them, as they have quite similar pronunciation. Melanin is the pigment produced by melanocytes within the stratum. They determine the color of the skin and act as a shield against ultraviolet rays, which can cause skin cancer. On the other hand, melatonin is the hormone produced by the pineal gland. Regulates modulation of wake / sleep and photoperiodic patterns (seasonal function). Lack of melatonin can lead to sleep disturbances and deep anxiety,while the lack of melanin can lead to skin cancer.

Comparative chart

What is melanin?

Melanin is the pigment in the human (animal) body that is considered primarily responsible for the color of an individual’s skin, although they perform various functions in addition to that, but are prominently recognized in this particular function. The final color of the skin depends entirely on melanins, which is a pigment produced by melanocytes, which are present in the ear, hair, skin and the CNS (Central Nervous System) of the body. The color of a person‘s skin depends directly on the presence of melanin and the distribution of melanosomes within the skin. In the human body, melanins generally have two polymers; Pheomelanin – is red / yellow in color and occurs in pheomelanosomes, and eumelanin – is dark brown / black in color and occurs in eumelanosomes.

What is melatonin?

Melatonin is the multitasking hormone in the human body. It is produced by the pineal gland, which is located in the center of the brain between two hemispheres. Melatonin is biosynthesized using the amino acid Tryptophan while being produced in the pea-sized pineal gland. Regulates modulation of wake / sleep and photoperiod patterns (seasonal function). In simple words, we can say that melatonin is responsible for the continuation of the human routine cycle or works as a clock of the human system, since it establishes the patterns of sleep and wakefulness and also takes care of various other tasks related to time. , such as the time of taking food. Melatonin is also used as a medicine for those who suffer from insomnia, which is a sleep disorder disease.

Melanin vs. melatonin

• Melanin is the pigment produced by melanocytes within the stratum. On the other hand, melatonin is the hormone produced by the pineal gland.
• Melanin determines skin color and acts as a shield against ultraviolet rays, which can cause skin cancer, while melatonin regulates the modulation of wake / sleep and photoperiodic patterns (seasonal function).
• A lack of melatonin can lead to sleep disturbances and deep anxiety, while a lack of melanin can lead to skin cancer.
• In the human body, melanins generally have two polymers; Pheomelanin: is red / yellow in color and occurs in pheomelanosomes, and Eumelanin: is dark brown / black in color and occurs in eumelanosomes.