The fairness of skin mainly depends on the ability of melanocytes to synthesize melanin. In the basal layer of the human epidermis, melanocytes are distributed. The tyrosinase they contain can oxidize tyrosine into dopa, which then goes through a series of metabolic processes to finally produce melanin. More melanin production results in darker skin; conversely, less melanin leads to fairer skin. Which foods darken the skin?
Research has shown that the activity of tyrosinase is closely related to elements in the body such as copper, iron, and zinc. Frequently consuming foods rich in tyrosine and trace elements like zinc, copper, and iron—such as animal organs (liver, kidney), shellfish (clams, crabs, river snails, oysters), seafood (fish roe), legumes (soybeans, lentils, green beans, red beans), nuts (peanuts, walnuts, black sesame), and raisins—can lead to darker skin tone. Therefore, people living by the sea, such as fishermen, often have darker skin because they consume more of these seafood products. Which foods lighten the skin?
Vitamin C can interrupt the melanin production process by preventing the further oxidation of already-formed dopa into dopaquinone and by reducing serum copper oxidase levels, thereby affecting tyrosinase activity and interfering with the biosynthesis of melanin. If you want to achieve fairer skin, you should eat more foods rich in Vitamin C, such as tomatoes, oranges, lemons, hawthorn, and tangerines. Vitamin C can reduce melanin deposition in the skin, fade and remove dark spots and freckles, and speed up the skin's reduction and whitening process. At the same time, it is not advisable to drink excessive amounts of coffee or very strong coffee, as this can also easily darken the skin.
In daily life, if you frequently consume foods rich in substances essential for melanin metabolism, or continuously supplement foods that enhance tyrosinase activity, your skin color will often be darker. Conversely, if you often consume foods that interrupt the melanin metabolism process, your skin will tend to be fairer.