Skin Bleaching and Tanning
This thought-provoking essay explores society’s complicated obsession with changing skin tone through an honest discussion of colourism, colonialism and beauty standards. Moving beyond surface-level conversations about skincare and appearance, it examines why darker-skinned people are often pressured to lighten their skin, while lighter-skinned people are encouraged to tan. It unpacks the emotional and historical weight behind skin bleaching, tanning and the global industries that profit from insecurity. It ultimately asks an uncomfortable but necessary question: why is society so obsessed with changing the colour of our skin?
Team:
Writing by: JENIA NWANCHA