Business, Lifestyle, News

Blac Chyna Criticised for Endorsing Skin-Lightening Cream

1 888

By Shawna Healey


Angela Renée White, otherwise known as Blac Chyna, has been criticised after announcing she is launching a skin-lightening cream with beauty brand Whitenicious, and will be travelling to Nigeria to endorse the expensive new product.

The reality TV star, social media influencer and owner of 88 Fin, is working in partnership with the brand Whitenicious, founded in 2014, to launch Whitenicous x Black Chyna Diamond and Illuminating Cream.

Chyna invited her fans via Instagram to “discover” the product in an event held by her and the brand in Lagos, Nigeria. The cream, with a Swarovski-covered jar, is valued at $250, or £195.

According to the website, the cream “gives a brightening glow for younger-looking skin” and “brightens and lightens without bleaching skin out”.

A spokesperson for Chyna told TMZ that Chyna has been using the brand “for a few years” to help with her hyperpigmentation.

Dencia, Cameroonian pop star and owner of Whitenicious, said to 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.”

Dencia added that their products do not include any products that damage the skin: “Whitenicious doesn’t have hydroquinone, and it doesn’t have steroids, and it doesn’t have mercury”.

According to a World Health Organization (WHO) report, 77% of women in Nigeria use skin-lightening products on a regular basis, which explains why Chyna is travelling internationally to sell the product.

The WHO also reported that chemicals in the skin-lightening products, such as mercury, are linked to liver damage, reduced resistance to bacterial and fungal infections, anxiety, depression and psychosis.

Products that contain mercury are banned in the EU and Korea, but in countries including Nigeria, Togo and Sengal, they are sold without restriction.

One Twitter user, @degostTee, wrote: “Blac Chyna is launching a skin bleaching cream is just Blac Chyna doing Blac Chyna things… the real issue here is that it’s being targeted to the Nigerian market and the fact that the villainous product will most likely sell out in Nigeria”.

Another twitter user added: “Blac Chyna partnering up with Africa’s bleaching king and queen to create a new face bleaching cream is beyond problematic. It’s really rubbing me the wrong way, ain’t [sic] no way in hell that she would do that in LA. Exploiting Nigeria’s colourism product is disgusting.”

Blac Chyna has responded to criticism on Instagram stories saying that she is a single mother providing for her kids. She wrote, “So my children aren’t supposed to live the same lifestyle as their fathers etc etc haha? As a single mother, I provide for them and give them the luxury lifestyle that they deserve… WOW!!”

Chyna’s brand isn’t the first to be drawn into criticism over selling skin-lightening creams. Last year, Nivea advertised a product featuring a black woman using one of the company’s products with the tagline “visibly lightens”. This advert was heavily criticised, with social media users branding the product and the company “racist”.


What do you think? Join the conversation over on Twitter @aAh_mag

About the author / 

Shawna Healey

I'm Shawna, 21, and Welsh studying Geography at MMU. I have varying interests and opinions but usually its all things feminism.

1 Comment

  1. Wyt Cheyna 24th November 2018 at 4:09 pm -  Reply

    Is it needed? No. Is it something someone with ethical boundaries would do? No. Is it illegal? No… Freedom is as freedom does.

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More News Stories:

  • Ten love songs that aren’t just about heartbreak

    Featured image: James Kelly  It seems we’re all unanimous in saying that love is one of those mystifying, uncontrollable forces of nature, and this is not a new sentiment. See the entire discography of music and poetic works dating back to ancient times and earlier (or your ‘sad’ playlist – which we all have) for proof. Despite…

  • A Complete Unknown film review – An enigmatic portrayal of a musical luminary

    Featured image: Press A Complete Unknown is an evocative musical commentary and expertly crafted biopic following the life of Bob Dylan as he transitioned from acoustic to electric guitar. For what is both an intimate portrayal of genius and a harsh critique of character, both Timothée Chalamet and James Mangold hit the nail on the…

  • 5 tips for sustainable student living

    Featured illustration: Ruby Sharp 1. Mindful clothes shopping The fashion industry significantly contributes to overconsumption, with 92 million tonnes of clothing ending up in landfill each year. To be more sustainable, clothes consider buying and selling clothes on platforms like Vinted. These apps provide a great opportunity to make extra cash while keeping your clothes…

  • Love Story Movie Marathon: Top 10 films to watch this Valentine’s Day

    Featured image: Loe Moshkovska Valentine’s Day doesn’t need to break the bank. Grab your popcorn and blankets to enjoy a laid-back movie night. Whether you’re cozying up to a loved one or having a movie night for galantines, we have you covered with the best watches for this Valentine’s Day. These romantic movies are set…