Humans around the world are born with different skin colors and complexions, but we weren’t always so varied. In the most recent Ted-Ed video, the science of skin color is explained through evolutionary human origins.

The sun is the orchestrator of our skin tones. Fifty-thousand years ago, our African ancestors migrated north and settled in Europe and Asia. Humans who remained closer to Africa and the equator naturally produce more melanin, giving them a built in sun shield while lighter-skinned people are more susceptible to a temporary tan or damage. Generations after generations have led to a gradual lightening in the north, giving way to a widely varied palate of skin pigments we see across the globe today.

Watch the video above for more insight into how humans evolved to become so diversely beautiful.