skin

Skin-whitening products have long crowded the shelves of shops and markets in Somalia, yet a growing number of Somalis are beginning to question this longstanding practice. A grassroots campaign advocating for natural beauty is surging, fueled by an increasing awareness of the harmful effects associated with skin bleaching. At the heart of this cultural conflict is a paradox. In a world increasingly influenced by digital platforms, many Somali beauty influencers—both in Somalia and its diaspora—continue to extol…

In a bold stance against the perils of beauty standards, the government has issued a resounding caution against the rampant use of skin bleaching products both within the nation and beyond its borders. This warning comes despite the glaringly obvious—yet often ignored—dangers associated with these products. During a recent forum aimed at shedding light on this troubling trend, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, expressed his deep concern over the pervasive presence of skin lightening creams,…

In Thiaroye, in a suburb of Dakar, fishermen returned from their voyage this week with pustules and pimples on their skin. The causes are not yet known, but the pollution trail is mainly advanced.