The cosmetics industry in China 化妝品行業在中國 By Rachel Whitten

Cosmetics in Europe vs China 化妝品在歐洲vs中國 Europe In Europe, men and women strive to get a sun kissed glow, applying tanning oils to absorb more of the rays of the sun. In the Western half of the globe, tanned skin is associated with health and an active outdoor lifestyle. China In China, the views when it comes to skin tone are very different. Men and women use ‘UV300 protection’ umbrellas during the summer to maintain a pale skin colour. Over 80% of cosmetic products in China include skin whitening therapies to physically lighten the skin. Chinese people use skin lightening cosmetics as white skin has traditionally been associated with higher status and wealth.

Skin lightening products – 80% of China’s cosmetics industry The Facekini Skin lightening products – 80% of China’s cosmetics industry UV protective umbrella

Skin Lightening Ingredients Kojic Acid Mulberry Alpha Arbutin Beta Arbutin Glutathione Licorice Root

The Chinese cosmetics market The Chinese cosmetic market was worth over 180 billion Chinese Yuan at the end of 2014. These figures increase by approximately 13.3% each year, and the Chinese cosmetic market is expected to be worth approximately 20 billion dollars by 2018.

Risks of skin lightening cosmetics Skin-lightening cosmetics can cause: Permanent skin bleaching Thinning of skin Uneven colour loss, leading to a blotchy appearance Redness of the skin Severe irritation including mild itching or stinging and reddening of the skin Severe burning, itching, crusting, or swelling of treated areas and any unusual skin discolouration.

Hydroquinone Hydroquinone is a whitening agent used in skin whitening cosmetics to reduce the colour of skin. Hydroquinone is known in some cases to cause cancer, and is a potentially lethal drug, after tests on rats proved to have an increased number of tumours in the rats. The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics has also highlighted concerns with it. While using hydroquinone as a lightening agent can be effective with proper use, it can also cause skin sensitivity. Hydroquinone is sometimes combined with certain acids to quicken the lightening process. In China, products usually contain up to 2% in hydroquinone. higher concentrations (up to 4%) are now prescription only. Hydroquinone is now a prescription only drug and was classified as an illegal drug in Great Britain in 2001.

The cosmetics industry in China 化妝品行業在中國 By Rachel Whitten