In the wake of the "Black Lives Matter" movement, beauty brands and companies continue to implement much-needed changes (open in new tab) related to racial injustice. on June 19, Johnson & Johnson announced its latest action plan: the company will "lighten blemishes" and The company will discontinue production of two skin brightening product lines that were marketed only overseas and claimed to "lighten blemishes. The product lines to be discontinued are Neutrogena's Fine Fairness (sold in the Middle East and Asia) and Clean & Clear's Clear Fairness (sold in India).

Both product lines were marketed as spot lighteners, but many consumers purchased the products to lighten their skin tone. (Open in new tab) The companies said in a statement: "Conversations over the past few weeks have highlighted that the product names and claims for some of Neutrogena and Clean & Clear's dark spot improvement products describe fairness and whiteness in the same way as our customers' unique skin tones. This was never our intention.

For the time being, the products will be available in stores in the Middle East and Asia, but the company has confirmed that it will remove product links from its website. The company told The New York Times (opens in new tab), "We will no longer be producing or shipping this product line."

The momentous decision by Johnson & Johnson to cease production is just the beginning of the necessary dismantling of the toxic skin bleach.

For more celebrity news, beauty and fashion advice, savvy political commentary, fascinating features, and more like this, sign up for the Marie Claire newsletter.

Click here to register (opens in new tab)