THE WHAT? Johnson & Johnson has announced that it will cease the sale of skin whitening products, according to a report published by Reuters.

THE DETAILS It will therefore halt production of its Clean & Clear Fairness line, which is available in India as well as the Neutrogena Fine Fairness range, which is sold throughout Asia and the Middle East.

“Conversations over the past few weeks highlighted that some product names or claims on our dark spot reducer products represent fairness or white as better than your own unique skin tone,” said the US manufacturer of Aveeno, per Reuters. “This was never our intention – healthy skin is beautiful skin.”

THE WHY? The US manufacturer of Clean & Clear made the commitment as part of its wider pledge to stamp out racism; it has committed US$10 million to fighting racism and injustice over the next three years and has pledged to start the change ‘at home’ (within the company).