Citrus fruit for skin whitening

June 7, 2018

A Japanese woman massages her hands with the fragrant smelling yuzu citrus fruit used for skin whitening and moisturizing in Kyoto city, Japan, 27 December 2017.

The citrus fruit, found also in Korea and China, has traditionally been used by Japanese women as a beauty skin treatment. According to a 2009 report published by Global Industry Analysts, the skin lightening industry has an estimated global value of 10 billion US dollar, with a projected value of 23 billion US dollar by 2020.

The products are used throughout Africa, the Middle East and Asia, where segments of the population subscribe to the belief that lighter skin connotes wealth, beauty, sophistication and elevated class standing. Due to lax regulation in this field of cosmetic products and treatments, numerous health risks are associated with the use of skin lightening and skin bleaching products. In May 2017, a skin bleaching product available online called Royal Expert Whitening Cream was tested by the Health Services Authority in Singapore and was found to contain high levels of mercury, a heavy metal which can cause mercury poisoning, as well as psychiatric and neurological problems.

Despite the risks, the demand for these products is increasingly high throughout Asia, where historical social norms state that dark skin is a signifier of laboring outdoors and thus being a part of a lower economic class.

Companies such as Beirsdorf AG, Clarins SA, and Dabur India Limited offer skin creams, pills and injections which claim to decrease skin pigmentation. People who desire a more comprehensive skin whitening regimen can undergo skin bleaching and laser treatments in an attempt to change their complexion. EPA-Jiji Press