This article caught my attention on CNN the other day: Vaseline skin-lightening app stirs debate. Basically, as the title says, Vaseline has an application that shows people how lighter their skin can be if they use their product. It is no secret that in Asia people think light skin is beautiful. In Hanoi recently, I've noticed that more and more beauty shops are offering whitening skin treatments. In fact, I'm pretty sure one of my private student's moms is getting whitening treatment because her face has become lighter and lighter every time I see her.
Shortly after reading the article above, I noticed this huge billboard on a major road in Hanoi:
(PICTURE: An add for Vaseline's skin lightening cream.)
It's not surprising to me at all that Vaseline is advertising their cream in Hanoi. All one needs to do is walk into the supermarket and see how seemingly 75% of face washing creams contain the word "whitening" in them. Personally, I prefer looking tan. However, over the last couple of years I've tried my best to put sun tan lotion on whenever I think it's going to be a sunny day. However, despite that, I still often get remarks from Vietnamese people that I'm "dark." Perhaps I should give whitening cream a shot?! Okay, that's not gonna happen...
