Asian skin culture

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Tabris

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So I've been in Asia for the last 4 months. A bunch of different countries, currently Tokyo.

One of the things that has been shocking to me is how much importance skin colour has here. Especially for women, but also for men. Almost every cosmetic store (or even convenience store with a small makeup area) is full of skin whitening products. There's so many umbrellas being used during a sunny day which I never saw before to protect skin. I met a girl that does modelling and she basically said that the first consideration for models is what your skin colour is. The next will be your physical attributes. It was a different perspective for me.

But unfortunately it doesn't seem to just be a beauty thing either. People's impression there can be based on your skin colour.

It's almost like a class system based on your skin, because according to what I was told by some people if your skin is darker it means your family may have come from a farming or low socioeconomic background, so you are considered a lower class then a someone with a whiter skin.

And it does seem to match with what you normally see. Especially in countries like Thailand where the people in formal clothing going into office buildings tended to all be whiter skinned while people in the lower socio-economic jobs tended to be darker skinned. So maybe it is a class system, which is so silly as how can you control your skin genetics.

I am a pale guy. I'm 1 step above vampire lol. I hate wasting time tanning when I can be working or socializing and I'm also worried about skin cancer, so try to use sunblock whenever I'm at the beach. I got constant compliments on my skin colour more then anything else here, it's a weird thing to be complimented on, especially coming from the West where a good tan tends to be more sought after.

What are your thoughts on this?

Also I'm not sure if this is a thing in every Asian country, but it was in Japan, Hong Kong, China, and Thailand. I wasn't looking for it in Singapore so not sure there.
 
In Asia, darker skin was associated with peasants who work the fields in the sunshine, while the aristocrats swan about their palaces in the shade. The association of skin colour and class is still a popular one in lots of countries, it's the case in India as well.
 
A wise man once said: "Never open a tanning salon in Korea".
 
cultural differences i suppose where in the west a tan is viewed as more healthy, or that you've got the leisure time to go pursue one.

That being said, having a basic skin care routine helps in the long run.
 
Yes, but someone not having a tan in the West doesn't mean they are considered in a different class of people.
 
I'm a fan of pale-skinned women, so I can't complain about it on an aesthetic level.

Having a "class" system based on skin color is fucked up, but I guess I shouldn't be surprised.
 
Nothing wrong with staying out the sun but whitening products, yeah it's odd and too far. Quite dangerous as well apparently with some products.

I did laugh when a friend said to me the other day, ever noticed they are never any middle aged Asian women, just young or really old. Looking after your skin. It's obviously not true but kinda is when I think about it.
 
isn't south korea the current biggest market for male cosmetic ? That race for the purest white skin color. Korean are proud of it and they export their canon beauty to south east asia through drama and kpop
 
It's a thing in many other places other than Asia, but it is def a thing in Asia. In Turkey, for example, it seems as though most of the population prefers lighter skinned individuals, especially women.
 
Well, standards for beauty isn't the same for everybody. Like you said OP, being tan is what looks good in your country. It does not mean it has to be the same for countries like the ones in the Eastern Asian regions.
 
Id say its the same outside of asia too, just nowhere near as blatant.
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Is it though? I mean there's racism, but that's a different ballpark.

Well, standards for beauty isn't the same for everybody. Like you said OP, being tan is what looks good in your country. It does not mean it has to be the same for countries like the ones in the Eastern Asian regions.
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Which is fine, but it's not just a beauty thing only.
 
I'm pretty white for a Filipino. I live in the States though, so it's not really a thing.

The bizarre thing is that my brother is darker skinned than I am.
 
I don't know how Thai and Vietnamese people survive the heat with every square inch of their body covered while outside. I would motorbike around in shorts and a t-shirt and sweat my balls off, meanwhile ladies are walking up and down the beaches wearing pants and jackets while they sell stuff. Chinese girls think they'll turn "black" from too much sun.
 
Chuck Norris said:
If I started applying whitening cream Id probably turn invisible
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I accidentally bought whitening soap in Thailand. When I opened it up, it was black. It was infused with charcoal (I guess this whitens your skin). And pretty sure it was from Korea.

commanderdeek said:
I think you're reaching a bit here...
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Why do you think that? What countries have you been to in Asia? It's not as evident in countries like Japan but it's very evident in Thailand and China.
 
The so called "asian genes" that made japanese women age so much slower are in reality mostly their tendency to avoid exposing skin to sunglight by using umbrellas and creams with heavy filters.
 
Yeah, a lot of Asian cultures really go for the pale skin look. If you look up cosmetics, a lot of products are marketed to enhance skin whiteness. Though, the 'white' that is desired is not exactly the 'pink' tones of the Caucasian variety.

It's all bonkers really. I dont understand the obsession but my mom's always pestering me to put a lot of these skin care products on.... I've got the stuff collecting dust in my bathroom :x
 
I think you're overselling the "class system" bit.

Yes, lighter skin is valued.... it's a beauty standard. Just as being thin is, attractive, no deformities, wearing nice clothes. Many of those are the same in Western countries.

People who don't meet beauty standards in all countries face social stigma.

You might as well say a person's weight is a class system here in Vancouver. And yes I've been to Japan and Korea and I have intimate knowledge of their ideas about skin colour. It's the usual beauty prejudice... it's just that beauty is more related to light skin than in other regions.
 
It is pretty funny seeing someone walking around with a ghost white face but having a somewhat tanned neck, arms etc.
 
Also a big thing in Indonesia. When I go there on vacation they are always surprised that I like to get a tan. I'm mixed Indonesian and white and get a tan really fast. I always get remarks about why I choose to get a tan while my skin is so beautiful (meaning light) when I first arrive.

My girlfriend is also Indonesian and a little darker then her brothers and btw still very light skinned. Her mother always told her she was to dark and shouldn't play outside when she was a child. Pretty terrible!
 
Tabris said:
Is it though? I mean there's racism, but that's a different ballpark.
Which is fine, but it's not just a beauty thing only.
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It used to be like that in europe too, for exact same reason. Tanned skin was associated with lower class work. I think i read that even in africa the beauty ideal has been more light skin.
If we just talk about tanning and not natural pigmentation than that makes sense, since sun is bad for skin quality and makes it look older much sooner.
 
Tabris said:
Why do you think that? What countries have you been to in Asia? It's not as evident in countries like Japan but it's very evident in Thailand and China.
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I'm asian living in asia.

BocoDragon said:
I think you're overselling the "class system" bit.

Yes, lighter skin is valued.... it's a beauty standard. Just as being thin is, attractive, no deformities, wearing nice clothes. Many of those are the same in Western countries.

People who don't meet beauty standards in all countries face social stigma.

You might as well say a person's weight is a class system here in Vancouver. And yes I've been to Japan and Korea and I have intimate knowledge of their ideas about skin colour. It's the usual beauty prejudice... it's just that beauty is more related to light skin than in other regions.
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This.
 
BocoDragon said:
I think you're overselling the "class system" bit.
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This. Especially for men. Can't think of a single guy here who cares about that. Most guys dont even wear sunscreen.

Different story for women. Getting a tan is like the most horrifying prospect in the world.
 
M_Night said:
I'm at a UK University and always feel a bit of culture shock seeing Chinese women using umbrellas on bright blue sunny days in both winter and summer.

A lot of people talk about it here.
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Treating people as worse because of skin colour is one level of debate... but simply being "shocked" by an Asian women avoiding the sun should be as shocking as a woman wearing makeup, getting ass or tit implants, wearing high heels, or wanting a tan.

Beauty standards are arbitrary and culturally derived. News at 11.
 
Weight, height, skin colour, bank balance, the car you drive, the place you live, your phone, your shoes, your hairstyle, your age etc etc

It is what it is, mate.
 
I think modern countries like Japan and South Korea the class system isn't really a big thing and it's more a beauty thing.

But it's definitely a thing in countries like Thailand and places in China. I kept on observing it as I was walking and people watching. Skin colour type matching the socioeconomic status (from what I could tell based on the brands of clothing, accessories, what area I was in, etc).
 
Tabris said:
Which is fine, but it's not just a beauty thing only.
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The "class" thing isn't really much of a heavy issue if that's what you are referring to. In some countries, yes it is sometimes present and it is more of an area-specific thing like the metropolis. I've been witness to that. But it's not as prevalent as you think, especially in Asia.
 
BocoDragon said:
Treating people as worse because of skin colour is one level of debate... but simple being "shocked" by an Asian women avoiding the sun should be as shocking as a woman wearing makeup, getting ass or tit implants, wearing high heels, or wanting a tan.

Beauty standards are arbitrary and culturally derived. News at 11.
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It was a natural response, but yeah that's true enough.
 
It's an issue in Mexico, though if it's more or less prevalent than in Asia is something I'd have to look deeper into.

The enduring taboo subject is skin color, whether an individual's complexion betrays an allegiance to the Spanish who conquered the Aztec empire in 1521 or the Aztecs who were conquered. It's no exaggeration to say that, in this country and especially in this city, the best, highest-paying, most important jobs often seem to go to those who, in addition to having the best education and the strongest connections, have the lightest skin.

On television, in politics and in academia, you see light-skinned people. On construction sites, in police forces and in restaurant kitchens, you're more likely to find those who are dark-skinned. In the priciest neighborhoods, the homeowners have light skin, and the housekeepers are dark. Everyone knows this, and yet no one talks about it, at least not in elite circles.
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http://www.cnn.com/2012/11/20/opinion/navarrette-mexico-racism/
 
Ushojax said:
In Asia, darker skin was associated with peasants who work the fields in the sunshine, while the aristocrats swan about their palaces in the shade. The association of skin colour and class is still a popular one in lots of countries, it's the case in India as well.
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Same thing in the west until coco Chanel changed it
 
Tabris said:
I think modern countries like Japan and South Korea the class system isn't really a big thing and it's more a beauty thing.

But it's definitely a thing in countries like Thailand and places in China. I kept on observing it as I was walking and people watching. Skin colour type matching the socioeconomic status (from what I could tell based on the brands of clothing, accessories, what area I was in, etc).
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Don't get me wrong... there is something there. I mean, that's where the association came from.... workers getting a tan in the fields and aristocrats getting white in the shade. So it could be that those old economic inequalities correlate to people with varying skin colours. Or it could be that just in this life.... blue collar workers do get more of a tan, white collar workers stay light. Even in the West, we have "rednecks" right?

But i think it's less of a thing where you are consiously/unconsiously assigned a role based on skin colour, which is what I hear when I think "class". Sure, the darker skinned might have fewer beauty opportunities... but I don't think it matters in terms of job opportunity (sure that could be just Korea/Japan etc).
 
Tabris said:
I think modern countries like Japan and South Korea the class system isn't really a big thing and it's more a beauty thing.

But it's definitely a thing in countries like Thailand and places in China. I kept on observing it as I was walking and people watching. Skin colour type matching the socioeconomic status (from what I could tell based on the brands of clothing, accessories, what area I was in, etc).
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Dude, they're tanned because maybe they are blue collar workers that work outside...in the sun! They're not tanned because they are poor. Also, no one is thinking I don't want to be tanned so people think I am poor. And no one is being marginalised cos they have a fucking tan. Gees!
 
Having lived in a south east asian country for two years now, you are really just scratching the surface of 'asian' culture... When I went holidaying here before I started living here, I didn't really notice anything terribly different, just the usual stuff like, the food, the hot weather etc. its only when I started living here that literally every single thing is different... so yeah its been difficult to adjust. I literally question every single thing, like why is it done this way, why can't it be done like this. Sometimes I want to write a blog but i'll probably get found out and I don't really want to get in trouble. Its not my country anyway.

As for asian skin culture its as simple as its a presumption that white skin = wealth, because you are able to attain an indoor job. The people here import a vast amount of labour from overseas, from poorer countries like Bangladesh to come and do all the jobs that the people here don't want to do like construction or farming. Because its 33 degrees 10 months of the year here, its a beat down if you have to work outside... I'm in construction but luckily i can go back to the office for most of the day, even though i'm outside for maybe 2-3 hours a day, my skin is a lot darker than when I first got here. I've seen plenty of chinese people here whom you assume were born with fairly pale skin to be as dark as dark South Indians because of working 8 hours a day in construction. It's kinda bizarre.

Also i'd like my paler skin back, i don't think my slightly darker skin really suits me.
 
BocoDragon said:
But i think it's less of a thing where you are consiously/unconsiously assigned a role based on skin colour, which is what I hear when I think "class". Sure, the darker skinned might have fewer beauty opportunities... but I don't think it matters in terms of job opportunity (sure that could be just Korea/Japan etc).
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It definitely has an impact on job opportunity. Any job that's in person customer facing seems to be influenced by skin colour. Go shopping at an expensive store and tell me how many darker skinned workers you see.

Then compare to a cheaper store or a fast food restaurant.

Both aren't working outside, so throw that argument out the window.
 
WoodWERD said:
I don't know how Thai and Vietnamese people survive the heat with every square inch of their body covered while outside. I would motorbike around in shorts and a t-shirt and sweat my balls off, meanwhile ladies are walking up and down the beaches wearing pants and jackets while they sell stuff. Chinese girls think they'll turn "black" from too much sun.
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Where I live, people wear full on thick jackets in construction like the kind people wear when its 15 degrees celsius. This is in 33 degree heat to protect them from the sun. I wore full length shirts but it still wasn't enough to cover my arms from getting darker as the sun must have snuck through. People also motobike here with the jacket backwards because its too hot to have it zipped up, but they still want to cover up their arms.
 
Tabris said:
It definitely has an impact on job opportunity. Any job that's in person customer facing seems to be influenced by skin colour. Go shopping at an expensive store and tell me how many darker skinned workers you see.

Then compare to a cheaper store or a fast food restaurant.

Both aren't working outside, so throw that argument out the window.
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Sure but I don't see ugly/fat/odd looking people working at nice establishments in Vancouver.

Skin colour is a beauty differentiator in Asia, but we have our own to an identical degree.
 
Tabris said:
It definitely has an impact on job opportunity. Any job that's in person customer facing seems to be influenced by skin colour. Go shopping at an expensive store and tell me how many darker skinned workers you see.

Then compare to a cheaper store or a fast food restaurant.

Both aren't working outside, so throw that argument out the window.
Click to expand...
This is silly. in most countries such as Japan and Korea there is no huge difference in skin tone that a little makeup or simply not getting a tan will not cover.
 
M_Night said:
I'm at a UK University and always feel a bit of culture shock seeing Chinese women using umbrellas on bright blue sunny days in both winter and summer.

A lot of people talk about it here.
Click to expand...


What do they say?

A "That girl has an umbrella."
B "Yup, you are right."
A "Yup."
 
You'll be surprised by how they also appreciate the more pinky-ish skin tones more common in the west. My baby has that skin and I never even noticed until some old woman pointed it out. I mean, I know the "white" tone has a slight different hue closer to yellow-orangeish here, but it's not THAT big of a difference and pinky tone is also common.

Eh, weird stuff. I can understand caring about keeping your skin white for health reasons. But treating that color as if it was superior is crazy :/
 
It was a bit shocking for me as well, especially when you see things like BEFORE AND AFTER skin treatment ads and the woman on the left is clearly black and the woman on the right is clearly a different white woman.

It's really in your face everywhere you go.

Tabris said:
It definitely has an impact on job opportunity. Any job that's in person customer facing seems to be influenced by skin colour. Go shopping at an expensive store and tell me how many darker skinned workers you see.

Then compare to a cheaper store or a fast food restaurant.

Both aren't working outside, so throw that argument out the window.
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This is also totally true.
 
vern said:
What do they say?

A "That girl has an umbrella."
B "Yup, you are right."
A "Yup."
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Haha pretty much. Usually just a passing comment.

Many here dislike having "pasty white skin" and like to get tans. So seeing how other cultures avoid getting a tan just tends to surprise some people.

Like a said, a bit of culture shock. No malice.
 
Tabris said:
It definitely has an impact on job opportunity. Any job that's in person customer facing seems to be influenced by skin colour. Go shopping at an expensive store and tell me how many darker skinned workers you see.

Then compare to a cheaper store or a fast food restaurant.

Both aren't working outside, so throw that argument out the window.
Click to expand...

It is impossible to know, at least in Korea womens skin color is not visible to the human eye as it is hidden behind a ton of make up.
 
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