Eumelanin is produced in melanocytes, which are highly specialized cells found in the epidermis, the outermost layer of the skin, as well as in the hair follicles. These melanocytes are strategically situated to maximize their function. In the skin, they are typically located at the basal layer of the epidermis, where they can effectively interact with other skin cells.
Within the melanocytes, eumelanin synthesis occurs in tiny, specialized organelles called melanosomes. The formation and maturation of these melanosomes are critical stages in the production of eumelanin. Initially, melanosomes are empty structures with no pigment, but as they mature, they undergo a series of biochemical changes, orchestrated by enzymes and other factors, which lead to the production of eumelanin.