Johnson & Johnson’s cancer causing baby powder is being joined by another line of products to be discontinued by the company; skin whitening products.
Reuters reports that the company announced it will stop producing its Neutrogena Fine Fairness line, which is available in Asia and the Middle East, and its Clear Fairness by Clean & Clear line, which is available in India, both of which feature products that lighten skin tones.
Skin whitening products, such as the ones Johnson & Johnson produces, have been criticised time and time again for their perpetuation of racism and colorism, but the decision to finally discontinue such harmful products follows the impact of the current Black Lives Matter movement which has successfully made big brands such as Aunt Jemima, Uncle Ben’s and Mrs.Buterworht reconsider their racist product packaging that they’ve profited off for years and years.
Earlier this month, Band-Aid, which is owned by Johnson & Johnson, also acknowledged darker skin tones exist while standing in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement.
“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. “This was never our intention — healthy skin is beautiful skin.”
Neutrogena’s Fine Fairness brightening serum assures it “doubles your skin’s whitening power for even-toned lasting translucent fairness,” while Clean & Clear’s Clear Fairness cleanser contains “gentle whitening beads” that come in an “oil control formula for long lasting pinkish fair skin.” Commercials for the former line straight-up say its products can help you “whiten more thoroughly.” According to the New York Times, Johnson & Johnson assures the products will no longer be produced, shipped, or linked to, but they’ll remain on physical shelves until stock runs out.