Objective To observe the effects of different animal breeds and modeling method on animal models of melasma, and provide ideas for the successful preparation of animal models exhibiting the clinical features of melasma. Methods Animal models of melasma were prepared using SD rats, and KM and C57BL/ 6 mice. The SD rats were randomly divided into a normal group and high, medium and low dose progesterone groups ( 25, 15 and 7. 5 mg / kg, respectively). KM mice were randomly divided into a normal group, and high-dose and low-dose progesterone groups (30 and 20 mg / kg, respectively). Animals in the treated groups were injected with progesterone in the main muscle of the hind leg. Animals in the normal group were injected with the same volume of normal saline at the same site as the high-dose group for 30 consecutive days. In addition, C57BL/ 6 mice were randomly divided into normal, ultraviolet-progesterone model and ultraviolet model groups. In the ultraviolet-progesterone group, 20 mg / kg progesterone was injected into the main muscle of the hind leg once a day, and ultraviolet light was given once every two days. The ultraviolet group received intramuscular injections of normal saline at the same volume and frequency and with similar ultraviolet irradiation treatment, while the normal group received the same volume of normal saline without ultraviolet treatment for 21 consecutive days. After treatment, local skin tissue samples from each group were taken for hematoxylin-eosin and Masson-Fontana staining, and changes to melanin particles were observed under light microscopy. Results Compared with the normal groups, no significant changes in melanin were observed in the SD rats and KM mice, while significantly more melanin particles was observed in C57BL/ 6 mice. Conclusions The typical clinical manifestations of chloasma are difficult to simulate by progesterone treatment alone in albino rodents, such as SD rats and KM mice. C57BL/ 6 mice provide a relatively reliable animal strain for the establishment of melasma models. Animal melasma models using C57BL/ 6 mice can be successfully established by means of ultraviolet exposure combined with or without progesterone treatment.