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As part of the Black Lives Matter movement, Johnson & Johnson will cease the productions and sales of its popular skin-lightening products. The beauty and skincare giant made the announced on Friday that the move is necessary due to the claims that some of its products represent fairness or white skin tone better than the darker skin shades.
The products in question include Neutrogena Fine Fairness and Clear Fairness by Clean & Clear, which are only sold in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa (but excluded in the U.S.).
“Conversations over the past few weeks highlighted that some product names or claims on our Neutrogena and Clean & Clear dark-spot reducer products represent fairness or white as better than your own unique skin tone,” the company said in a statement via The NY Times. “This was never our intention — healthy skin is beautiful skin.”
Although the products will still remain on shelves until stock runs out, the brand affirmed that the production and shipping will no longer continue. “We will no longer produce or ship the product line,” the company said.
Johnson & Johnson is not the only brand that is reviewing its product lines. In fact, the BLM protests have sparked conversations within the industry with many brands being criticized for the lack of inclusion but still profiting on black people. Showing their solidarity, Band-Aid, another arm of Johnson & Johnson released a statement last week that the brand will launch a range of bandages that will also cater to all skin tones.
“We hear you. We see you. We’re listening to you,” the brand wrote on its social media. “We stand in solidarity with our Black colleagues, collaborators, and community in the fight against racism, violence, and injustice. We are committed to taking actions to create tangible change for the Black community. 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.”
