American model and reality TV star Blac Chyna is facing social media backlash after announcing plans to sell a skin-lightening cream. She announced her plans to sell the cream through an Instagram post two days ago. Her post said that she had partnered with a beauty line called Whitenicious to launch a face cream in Lagos, Nigeria.
According to BBC, the founder of Whitenicious is Cameroonian pop star Denecia, and the brand has faced controversies since it was launched in 2014.
The company describes the face cream from the Whitenicious X Blac Chyna Collection as a product that "lightens without bleaching skin out." A jar of the cream, which has been handcrafted with Swarovski crystals, will cost $250.
However, Blac Chyna's decision to sell the skin-lightening cream has been met with massive outrage online. Many have taken to social media and accused her of exploiting Nigeria's colourism problem. Others have pointed out the potential health risks of using skin-lightening products.
Chemicals in skin-lightening products such as mercury can cause liver damage, reduced resistance to bacterial and fungal infections, anxiety, depression and psychosis, according to the World Health Organization, reports CNN.
Blac Chyna has yet to comment on the controversy, though she continues to share Instagram posts advertising the product.
