skin lightening

Skin lightening is the practice of using chemicals, treatments, or cosmetics to reduce melanin and make skin appear lighter.

Products range from mild brightening creams to potent bleaching agents containing hydroquinone or mercury.

The practice is common in parts of Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean, driven by colorism—the preference for lighter skin tones often rooted in colonial legacies.

She used skin lightening creams for years before the health risks became clear.