A recent article on GMANews.TV scrutinized the obsession of Pinoys to attain lighter skin complexion.
In the article, journalist Tina Arceo-Dumlao, cited a survey conducted by Synovate, which reveals that “two out of five women in Hong Kong, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines and Taiwan feel they are more attractive with fair complexions.” The results even highlighted the fact that the Philippines had the highest usage among the countries included in the survey.
From a business standpoint, the growing market is great news for us. But it doesn’t necessarily make things easier!
With so many companies jumping on the bandwagon, it gets harder for the authorities to monitor and keep up with all the products out there, making the hunt for a safe and effective whitening product harder for the average consumer.
Some manufacturers offer cheaper but unsafe alternatives, and to add to it, fly-by-night vendors mislead customers by misrepresenting some known brands and labeling fake products.
As a vendor of products that can lighten skin, we do find the topic very interesting. We’ve had several customers who’ve been victimized one way or another.
Victim or not, we’d love to hear your thoughts too. Do you know of a product that’s unsafe or mislabeled?
Post your comments and tell us about it!
Thank goodness for this article! I think there needs to be more diversity in the “idea of beauty.” I think that these industries promote certain unrealistic standards (I guess they make it unrealistic and unattainable so people keep buying more and more) without any thought to the consequences. Maybe they should put a photo of Michael Jackson on the cover of one of these fly-by-night skin whitening (i.e. muriatic acid face peeling creams) products.
Now at 29, I’ve finally come to accept my southeast Asian features. After so many years of jumping on the bandwagon, I’ve finally come to like the fact that I’m not 5’10 with a paper bond complexion. I think we should accept ourselves for what we are. And as I see my 12 year old niece beginning to get conscious of her looks, always complaining about becoming thinner, whiter, taller (she’s 12! what the heck? when I was 12 I didn’t even take baths much less worry about my weight!). I already know she’s spending a big portion of her lunch money to buy these so-called products (I’m guessing she’s buying the fakes, which makes me even more nervous…when I was 12 I bought candy, now 12 year olds are buying skin whiteners and push up bras).
It saddens me that the industry is promoting these images to even more people and an even younger audience.
We should do something about this. Let’s make sure that industries monitor illegal products and promote diversity. Let’s not turn into a society of peeling Jackson-esque faces.
Well, as much as I’d hate to admit it, I myself am a fan of whitening products. I’m not obsessed with getting paper-white complexion, as most women in the Philippines are, but a healthy, even-toned complexion is enough for me. I would be very wary about the many establishments and products claiming to whiten your skin in just such-and-such a period…some can be sooooo harsh (learned that the HARD WAY!!!) that it’ll really STRIP – not peel – off your skin! Yikes! If you can afford the more tried and tested establishments and products, do that instead…do not scrimp on these things…it’ll cost you more than you think if you do!
There’s a very popular whitening product line in the market, one of the first few that came out, that’s widely used because it’s one of the more affordable brands and it’s endorsed by big celebs. But I found out, way back when I was still in manufacturing, from a Chemist friend, that it actual contains a chemical that does more harm to the skin. It’s actually an abrasive compound. So sure, it does peel your skin but not in a healthy manner, thus the usual reddening effect after use. The daughter of a friend used this product and ended up with what looked like chemically burnt skin around her nose area. It looked awful. This same Chemist friend told us that a good lightening product should have minimal or no uncomfortable effects. So once it stings or reddens heavily, be in doubt.
I think responsible vending of such lightening products entails education. Let the public know which component does what and how certain ingredients may affect our skin in different ways.
I’m seeing a lot of whitening products on the streets of Divisoria and Baclaran… all these promised its users fair, smooth complexion highlighted by its affordable price… hmmm…. but how can one be sure?
@Etang with cheaper brands there’s always a trade off. Stores in Divisoria and Baclaran are known to sell cosmetic products and pills that are not BFAD regulated. Even the imported ones didn’t actually go through the proper regulation channels to be deemed safe. Don’t be fooled by promises of a quick fix. Products that are safe and follow proper regulations do not work overnight.
I’ve always been curious about purchasing a skin whitener crem but I’m not really sure which product to buy. I was researching something about skin problems at webmd.com and happened to see this article on Diana Stalder’s Skin Care. What can you tell me about her line? Has anyone of you tried any of per products? Do you highly recommend it?
Thanks for your help on this.
Joanne
@Jennifer, sorry for not getting back to you sooner.
We highly recommend Diana Stalder products and we do use some of it ourselves.The Diana Stalder product line is specially formulated to be both safe and effective. All the products went through the proper regulation channels and we’ve gotten very positive feedback from our customers as well. Which product to use, would depend on what you’re trying to achieve. To learn more about the products you can go to our FAQ page, http://dianastalder.info/ or you can also email customerservice@southgain.com for other questions.
Happy Valentine’s Day!