The global melanin market size is accounted at USD 162.77 million in 2025 and is forecasted to hit around USD 300.00 million by 2034, representing a CAGR of 7.03% from 2025 to 2034. The market sizing and forecasts are revenue-based (USD Million/Billion), with 2024 as the base year.
The global melanin market size was calculated at USD 152.08 million in 2024 and is predicted to reach around USD 300.00 million by 2034, expanding at a CAGR of 7.03% from 2025 to 2034. The increasing demand for natural ingredients for UV protection and skin treatment in cosmetics and skin care products drives the growth of the market.
The emergence of artificial intelligence in dermatology helps in revolutionizing the overall diagnostic procedures and operations. The AI algorithms are used in dermatology operations for rapid data processing to provide real-time insights about and more reliable data diagnosis. AI in the melanin market can help in a wide range of dermatological applications, including pigmentary skin lesions and malignancy, psoriasis, acne, autoimmune disorders, allergic contact dermatitis, ulcer evaluation and prediction, and robotics.
Melanin is a substance that is naturally present in the human body and produces eye, skin, and hair. The amount of melanin present in the body describes the color or pigmentation of eyes, hair, and skin. The higher amount of melanin produced in the body causes darker hair, eyes, and skin. The melanin, which is naturally present in the body, solely depends upon the ancestral population and genetics. Melanin mainly works as the natural barrier against UV rays and keeps genetic material safer in cells by restricting harmful UV rays into the inner layer of skin.
| Report Coverage | Details |
| Market Size by 2024 | USD 152.08 Million |
| Market Size in 2025 | USD 162.77 Million |
| Market Size in 2034 | USD 300.00 Million |
| Market Growth Rate from 2025 to 2034 | CAGR of 7.03% |
| Dominating Region | North America |
| Fastest Growing Region | Asia Pacific |
| Base Year | 2024 |
| Forecast Period | 2025 to 2034 |
| Segments Covered | Type, Application, and Regions. |
| Regions Covered | North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. |
Benefits associated with melanin
The increasing awareness regarding the benefits associated with melanin ingredients in a wide range of industries drives the growth of the melanin market. The increasing adoption of melanin ingredients by the leading skincare and beauty brands is due to the increasing demand for UV protection skincare products. Melanin is also used in food and beverage products as a natural colorant and preservative ingredient in the food products for enhanced safety and reduced toxicity. Melanin provides several health benefits and promoting effects like immunomodulatory and antioxidant activities.
Side effects
The side effects associated with melanin products in some cases, such as burning, local itching, and moderate hyperemia with the topical use of melanin, are limiting the adoption of ingredients and restraining the growth of the melanin market.
Wide range of applications in melanin
Melanin is highly used in a wide range of applications, including medicinal, biotechnological, and environmental aspects, due to the availability of physicochemical properties, biological features, and chemical structure, which make it used in different everyday applications. The melanin market has different applications such as anti-inflammatory activity, free radical scavenging, digestive system protection, anti-cancer activity, antivenom, interference with drugs and metals, antiviral feature, antimicrobial action, neuroprotective agent, UV X-and Y-rays protective, radioprotective therapy and others.
The eumelanin segment led the global melanin market in 2024. Eumelanin is a significant type of melanin that is responsible for the darker color of hair, skin, and eyes. Eumelanin is present in different proportions in black and brown hair. The increasing demand for beauty and skincare products drives the demand for eumelanin for skin enhancements, driving the demand for the segment. The increasing pollution level and global warming are driving the demand for efficient skin care products that protect against solar radiation, and pollution drives the development of eumelanin-based beauty and skincare products.
The pheomelanin segment is expecting notable growth during the forecast period. Pheomelanin is another type of melanin that is specially used in the making of cosmetics products for lighter-skinned people with red hair. Pheomelanin is the melanin pigment that is present in human body parts such as pinkish lips and other pinkish parts of the body. The people having equal amounts of pheomelanin and eumelanin are red.
The pharmaceutical industry segment dominated the melanin market in 2024. The increasing adoption of melanin in the formulation of different types of drugs that provide protection against solar radiation and other skin disorders is driving the demand for the segment. The biological melanin pigment is widely used in biological systems. It provides special properties and functions in general health. Biological melanin is used as an anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and other medication.
The beauty industry segment will witness substantial growth during the predicted period. The increasing demand for melanin for the development of beauty products helps protect the skin from solar radiation and other environmental factors that boost the demand for melanin from the beauty industry. Melanin is used in the making of different beauty products like sunscreen, flesh or grey color pigments, and other products.
North America held a significant share of the melanin market in 2024. The growth of the market is attributed to the rising infrastructural development in the cosmetics and skincare industry, and the greater availability of the major market players in countries like the United States and Canada is causing the increased demand for melanin. The increasing blend of melanin in different beauty products for people of different skin tones is further boosting the demand for the market. Additionally, melanin and other related types of melanin are increasingly important in the formulation of different drugs and medication treatments.
Asia Pacific is expecting substantial growth in the melanin market during the predicted period. The growth of the market is attributed to the rising population, and the demand for skincare and beauty products drives the demand for melanin. The increasing cosmetics and skincare industry in countries like India, China, Japan, and South Korea, with increasing demand for natural products and ingredients, is accelerating the demand for the market across the region.
Type Insights
Application Insights
By Geography
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