Blac Chyna sparks criticism after promoting skin-lightening cream on social media

Cream
Blac Chyna has sparked controversy after promoting a skin brightening cream on Instagram [Photo: Getty]

Blac Chyna has sparked controversy after promoting a skin-lightening cream on social media.

The model teamed up with beauty brand Whitenicious by Dencia to create a $250 (approximately £195) ‘brightening and illuminating’ lotion which comes in a Swarovski-embellished jar.

The mother-of-two took to Instagram to advertise the item, announcing that she will launch the product with an upcoming event in Nigeria.

Unsurprisingly, the model’s latest #spon sparked outrage across social media with Twitter users accusing Chyna of promoting European beauty standards.

A large number of skin-lightening products are available in Nigeria where approximately 77% of women use them on a daily basis according to the World Health Organisation.

As a large number of social media users have highlighted, there is a growing issue surrounding ‘colourism’ throughout Nigeria – a prejudice against people who have a darker skin tone.

According to the Whitenicious website, the controversial cream ‘brightens and lightens without bleaching skin out’ but the company has drawn criticism since its debut back in 2014.

In defence of the controversial brand, founder and former singer Dencia told Ebony magazine: “Will Whitenicious bleach your skin if you use it on all your skin? Yes, it will. Are we selling Whitenicous for that purpose? No, we’re not.”

Skin-lightening products are illegal in the UK due to the creams containing hydroquinone; a chemical compound that can damage the liver and nervous system.

Whitenicious isn’t the only brand to come under fire for exploiting ‘colourism’ – Nivea also fell under scrutiny for a 2017 advert.

The brand sparked controversy after promoting a cream titled ‘Natural Fairness’ with a marketing slogan used on billboards across Africa which read: ‘For visibly fairer skin’.


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