Unilever ‘Fair & Lovely’ skin-lightening cream to be renamed amid global anti-racism protests
- Consumer giant’s decision to stop using the word ‘Fair’ in product has been condemned as ‘whitewash’ by some social media users
- Product reportedly earned some US$500 million in revenue in India last year, where such creams have long been endorsed by stars like Priyanka Chopra Jonas
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The Indian and Bangladeshi arms of consumer giant Unilever will rename their locally marketed “Fair & Lovely” skin-lightening cream in the face of global anti-racism protests.
The British-Dutch firm – which reportedly raked in some US$500 million in revenue from the product in India last year – said on Thursday it would stop using the word “Fair” in the name as the brand was “committed to celebrating all skin tones”.
The obsession with fair skin is deeply entrenched across Asia. In some cities it can be difficult to find cosmetics that do not contain some kind of whitening ingredient.
In South Asia in particular lighter tones are assumed to reflect higher social class, especially within India’s complex caste hierarchy.
“We are making our skincare portfolio more inclusive and want to lead the celebration of a more diverse portrayal of beauty,” Sanjiv Mehta, head of India’s Hindustan Unilever, said in a statement.
“The brand has never been and is not a bleaching product,” a statement from Unilever Bangladesh said.
Several companies – including French cosmetics giant L’Oreal – have been criticised recently for skin-lightening products after the global rise of the Black Lives Matter movement following the killing in the US of African-American George Floyd.
Chopra Jonas, married to American singer Nick Jonas, has been pilloried on social media for apparent hypocrisy in supporting the Black Lives Matter movement as well as having served as an ambassador for lightening products.
Unilever’s decision ignited controversy on social media, with users torn between praising the decision and condemning the “whitewash” that saw the name changed but left the product on the shelves.
Speaking to the Financial Times, Bollywood actress and director Nandita Das said the move was a step in the right direction that would “trigger conversations” around beauty and colour in India.
Unilever said the new brand name would be announced within two months. The Press Trust of India reported that Hindustan Unilever this month began proceedings to patent the name “Glow & Lovely”.
