FAIR TAKE

Why are Asians so obsessed with having fairer skin? Arissa Ha investigates.

Just under a decade ago, Singapore’s shelves were lined with “skin whitening” products aimed at reducing melanin and lightening pigmentation. The recent transition to “skin brightening” heralds a nuanced shift, reflecting a deeper consciousness towards cultural sensitivity in a diversely populated Singapore. Yet, despite the change in terminology, the longstanding beauty ideal that idolises fairer skin persists across much of Asia, deeply rooted within its historical, cultural and social weave.

OLD STANDARDS

The allure of fair skin transcends mere aesthetics, embedding itself within the annals of history. Dr Pamela Chong of EPION Clinic casts light on bygone eras where social hierarchies were demarcated by the fairness of your skin, with the elite often untouched by the sun’s laborious embrace. Dr Ivan Tan from Nu.Reflections echoes this narrative, citing the ancient Chinese proverb 一白遮三丑 “one white covers three uglinesses” or “a fair complexion hides three flaws”—highlighting the deepseated reverence for pallor as an enduring beauty standard.

Dr Tan further delves into the shadows of colonisation, noting the ingrained racial hierarchies that equated fairness with superiority. “There is a subconscious regard of race superiority of the fairer-skinned rulers and thus many try to be fairer,” he explains, shedding light on the impact of historical conquests. Today, the glossy allure of East Asian pop culture continues to amplify this fair-skinned paradigm.

SHIFTING PERCEPTIONS