Whitening Skin Products

Cultural Presentation #3
Presentation Date: Friday, February 27th, 2009
And thanks to the help of: E. Kelsey, N. Panis

Note: This is the complete handout - not the presentation. It covers more :]

Whitening soap – the product isn’t so unfamiliar to many people considering how it’s the number one selling product for pharmaceutical companies today. Although whitening skin products have been around for centuries, it has become more prominent than ever before, especially for Asians, Filipinos, African Americans, Australians and even Caucasians.

Do you know someone that uses whitening skin products? Your friend, your mom or maybe even yourself? Whomever it may be, here is some information about skin whitening products that you may want to know.

Whitening skin products have become popular over the decades for various reasons. One reason is that a clear complexion provides a youthful look and in today’s society, youthfulness has value. According to The Star Online, 61% of women in Hong Kong, Malaysia, the Philippines, South Korea and Taiwan believe they look younger with a fair complexion. Fair is youth, youth is beautiful.

But probably the most popular and yet unspoken reason as to why whitening skin products are prominent is to ease the feelings of having an inferiority complex. Sapna Magazine states, “Some sociologists speculate that our colonizers’ complexions have become our standards for beauty. Others blame South Asia’s “class complex,” pointing out that those who are from lower social classes tend to be darker because they’re exposed to the sun more in their work, thus linking whiter complexions with higher education and class.”

However you may want to fit in, feel accepted, beautiful or successful, you may want to be aware of the costs of using whitening skin products first.

Warning: Whitening skin products may cause cancer.

According to Houma Today, “U.S. Food and Drug Administration don’t review or regulate any cosmetic product before it hits the shelves.” In fact, “11 percent of the approximately 10,500 chemicals used in personal care products have ever been safety tested.” Unfortunately, there is one chemical that rarely gets questioned in most of these products: hydroquinone.

Hydroquinone is a dangerous chemical found in many whitening skin products. This “skin fading drug” kills off melanocyte cells (cells that produce skin-pigment making cells called melanin) to lighten one’s skin. The risk of preventing melanin cells from giving you your skin pigment is also risking your protection from the sun. Melanocyte cells work their hardest when you’re under the sun to protect you from UV rays. However, killing off these cells will make you more vulnerable and thus, more prone to skin cancer.

Several countries that have recognized this chemical has banned it. Other chemicals include kojic acid, mercury, lead oxide, azleaic, ascorbic adic and so much more.

If you continue to use whitening skin products, all we suggest is that you research the chemicals in the product you are using. Products with dangerous chemicals are best advised to use moderately, if not at all. You can also use alternatives such as Cocoa Butter lotion, which provides a lot of Vitamin E and skin toning.

For the safety of everyone, stay informed.

Know what you’re putting on.

(That’s what she said.)


Sources

"Beautifying Ourselves to Death"
http://www.houmatoday.com/article/20090213/ARTICLES/902139918?Title=Beautifying_ourselves_to_death

"The Color Complex: Is the Fixation Really Fair?"
http://sapnamagazine.com/?p=347

"The Fight Over Whiter Skin"
http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?file=/2007/3/24/lifeliving/17190041&sec=lifeliving

"When Beauty Is Skin Deep"
http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/content/articles/2007/07/11/redbridge_skin_video_feature.shtml

Review Spot
http://www.reviewspot.org/Skin-Whitener.html

"A Lighter Skin"
http://www.bbc.co.uk/insideout/east/series11/week7_skin_lightening.shtml

Skin Bleaching
http://library.thinkquest.org/27034/skin.html

Melanocyte & Melanin
http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=4341

Australian News
http://au.truveo.com/Cancer-link-to-skinwhitening-cream/id/2935034081

Melanin Inhibitor
http://skinwhiteningsecrets.com/general-info/melanin-inhibitor/

Hydroquinone
http://www.ehow.com/video_4767753_what-hydroquinone.html

Melanocyte
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8IXyr6vU7A