Johnson & Johnson Will Stop Selling Skin-Whitening Lotions

Other companies have been criticized for expressing solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement while also selling products that advertise their skin-lightening effects.

More than 11,000 people have signed a petition calling on Unilever to stop selling Fair Lovely, a skin-lightening product marketed in India and the Middle East. Commercials for the lotion have shown dark-skinned women using it to lighten their skin and then becoming more successful as a result.

“This product has built upon, perpetuated and benefited from internalized racism and promotes anti-blackness sentiments amongst all its consumers,” the petition says.

The decision to remove the Clear Fairness line is the latest move by Johnson Johnson to respond to the demonstrations against racism that have been held across the country since the death of George Floyd.

Last week, Band-Aid, which is owned by Johnson Johnson, announced it would start selling bandages meant to match different skin tones.

“⁣⁣We stand in solidarity with our Black colleagues, collaborators and community in the fight against racism, violence and injustice,” Band-Aid said in an Instagram post. “⁣⁣We are committed to launching a range of bandages in light, medium and deep shades of Brown and Black skin tones that embrace the beauty of diverse skin. We are dedicated to inclusivity and providing the best healing solutions, better representing you.”

The company said it sold bandages with different skin tones in 2005 but discontinued the products “due to lack of demand.”

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/19/business/johnson-and-johnson-skin-whitening-cream.html