Oh, no. They're actually responding to market demand. The labels do say quite clearly that they include skin lightener; it's a marketing point.
There are a lot of people in Asia (and in other places, for that matter) who desire lighter skin. Sunblock is sold in that context, and not as much for its sunburn preventing properties. Although people are becoming more concerned with skin cancer nowadays, sunburn isn't as great a concern as it is for people who start out with very light skin.
Personally, I think skin lightener is scary stuff, but I'm not an Asian female--and I'm also relatively light-skinned, and thus have some privilege there as well--and so I'm not being driven by the same social pressures to keep my skin light that Asian women often are.
Although I do appreciate having a parasol on sunny days. Even if I look funny carrying one (which I do; men aren't supposed to.)
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2011-11-03 08:09 pm (UTC)There are a lot of people in Asia (and in other places, for that matter) who desire lighter skin. Sunblock is sold in that context, and not as much for its sunburn preventing properties. Although people are becoming more concerned with skin cancer nowadays, sunburn isn't as great a concern as it is for people who start out with very light skin.
Personally, I think skin lightener is scary stuff, but I'm not an Asian female--and I'm also relatively light-skinned, and thus have some privilege there as well--and so I'm not being driven by the same social pressures to keep my skin light that Asian women often are.
Although I do appreciate having a parasol on sunny days. Even if I look funny carrying one (which I do; men aren't supposed to.)