L'Oréal drops words 'white' and 'fair' from skincare products

It comes as global anti-racism protests continue to take place across the globe

George Floyd may have died on May 25, but anti-racism protests and calls against racial inequality live on - and now L'Oréal - the world's largest cosmetic and beauty company - has made a decision to stop using words like 'whitening', 'fair', light' and 'lightening' when describing its products.

The French cosmetics giant's announcement on June 26 comes after ongoing criticism on social media for the company's controversials skin-lightening products, which make people conform to certain ways of looking. This is especially true in Asia and the Caribbean, where fairer skin is considered 'desirable'.

Few can forget the disastrous choice of words L'Oréal used when the Black Lives Matter movement reignited after George Floyd's tragic and appalling death. The brand released a statement saying it 'stands in solidarity with the Black community and against injustice of any kind', and channelling its famous slogan, the statement added: 'Speaking out is worth it.'

Munroe Bergdorf, who was fired as L'Oréal UK's first openly transgender model in 2017, following comments she made about systemic racism, accused the brand of hypocrisy.

A photo posted by on

At the time, L'Oréal ended her contract, saying her words were 'at odds' with the brand's values. Since speaking out, she has revealed L'Oréal Paris's new president, Delphine Viguier, later spoke to her and apologised for how the situation was handled at the time of her sacking, and she had agreed to take a consultancy role on the company's UK diversity and inclusion advisory board. Some good news, at least.

In other news, Anglo-Dutch firm Unilever has made a similar announcement (the company has been criticised for its 'Fair and Lovely' range) and Johnson & Johnson has gone even further, saying it will stop selling skin whitening creams in Asia and the Middle East.

Attituding are changing, but it is still a work in progress. It's a shame beauty brands have reacted to the Black Lives Matter movement instead of leading change. But it is a start.

Olivia – who rebranded as Liv a few years ago – is a freelance digital writer at Marie Claire UK. She recently swapped guaranteed sunshine and a tax-free salary in Dubai for London’s constant cloud and overpriced public transport. During her time in the Middle East, Olivia worked for international titles including Cosmopolitan, HELLO! and Grazia. She transitioned from celebrity weekly magazine new! in London, where she worked as the publication’s Fitness & Food editor. Unsurprisingly, she likes fitness and food, and also enjoys hoarding beauty products and recycling.