Casalou, CristinaCristinaCasalouTobin, Desmond JohnDesmond JohnTobin2022-01-142022-01-142021 Briti2022-03British Journal of Dermatology0007-0963http://hdl.handle.net/10197/12732The outermost layer of skin, the epidermis has evolved to provide a physical barrier of protection from harmful substances and invasion of pathogens. The skin barrier consists in part of highly glycosylated proteins called mucins and the epithelium. Epidermal homeostasis is maintained by the proliferation and differentiation of its basal layer keratinocytes that migrate to the superficial layer of the epidermis, and through its regulated inter-cellular communication with the pigment producing cells, the melanocytes.Print-ElectronicenThis is the peer reviewed version of the following article: British Journal of Dermatology, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1111/bjd.20877. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving.DermatologySkin pigmentationJournal Article186338838910.1111/bjd.208772022-01-1119/FFP/6752https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ie/