She’s one of Namibia’s most controversial artists, well known for her hits like ‘Vitamine’ and flamboyant, out-right fabulous lifestyle. Diamond Monika Shafooli, simply known as Diamond, has recently branched out into the beauty business, releasing a skin-lightening cream which she says is safe and very effective.
The Weekender spoke to Diamond about the product, which sells for N$200 for 50ml.
Diamond reveals that her cream does not contain Hydroquinone, a well-known lightening chemical with bad side effects. She then goes on to list the ingredients which make up her ‘her secret’ skin lightening lotion with chemicals such as licorice, glycyrrhiza glabra root extract, lemon, hydroxyphonox propionic acid, niacinamide, glycyrrhetinic acid and benzyl alcohol. There are about 20 other chemicals that she lists.
One of those chemicals, Propylene glycol (PG) is used in liquid foundation, spray deodorants and moisturisers amongst other cosmetics. According to Pai Skin Solutions Blog, it’s also used in antifreeze, brake and hydraulic fluid, floor wax and paints, begging the question on how safe it really is. The blog however states that when used in the smallest quantities, PG is generally harmless.
Another one of the ingredients, benzyl alcohol is used in a wide variety of cosmetics and personal care products, including baby products, bath products, soaps and detergents, eye make-up, blushers, etc.
The benefits of using the lotion include smooth and glowing skin and a lighter complexion, says Diamond.
Diamond also defends skin lightening as a whole, saying that people of all races have issues with their skin tones. “Black women and white women both have issues with their skin tone. I live in London. Most of my friends are white women. Most white women do not like looking too white. White women spend lots of money on products that can give them a darker tone.”
She further reveals the increased demand for skin lightening, calling it a secret many women silently live with “ I have for the past four years had thousands of emails from women asking me if I can supply a good and safe skin lightening product from London… The reason why women in Africa are using dangerous skin lightening creams is because nobody wants to face the fact that black women have been using skin lightening for many years and will always do so,” she adds.
On how un-African it is to use skin lightening, Diamond has this to say:
“Black women wear Brazilian hair weave and wigs. Does it mean they are not proud of being black? Black women relax their hair to get straight hair and get rid of the Afro. Does that mean they are not proud of being black? We wear make-up. Does it mean we are not happy with the way we look? Most of us Africans no longer wear our traditional clothes, we wear the western clothes, does this mean we are not proud of being Africans?”
A local pharmacist, who declined to be named, advises that a doctor should always be consulted before one takes the decision to lighten your skin. “It’s not recommended to use skin lighteners for the simple reason to get your skin a lighter shade. Reasons such as dark spots caused by acne scarring or blemishes would however be understandable and in this case, a professional will recommend a safe product to address the issue,” she said. She could not assess Diamond’s product though, saying that its safety will depend on the quantities of the chemicals used. She says that Hydroquinone and steroids are some of the banned substances which are commonly used as whiteners.
For more information on skin lightening, check out an earlier piece in The Weekender (20 March 2014).
Additional information:
www.mailonline.co.uk
Captions:
UNAPOLOGETIC … Diamond is unapologetic, saying that she has no shame in saying “Yes, I use skin lightening. I am an adult and it’s my choice to do or use whatever product I want to use on my body”.
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