IELTS Essay Sample Answer # Whiten People

You should spend 40 minutes on this task.

In many parts of the world, there is a profitable market for products which lighten or brightens the skin.

Outline the reasons for using such product and discuss what effects they have in terms of health and society.

Write at least 250 words.


SAMPLE ANSWER

In many countries, particularly part of Asia, skin whitening creams are very popular and provide huge profits for the companies involved in their sale.

The major reason behind people using skin whitening cream, is the projection that fair skin people are more beautiful. May be this is because of the ancient history, people who were rich stayed indoors as compared to the poor, who worked outside. As a result, the rich became fair while the poor often were dark skin. As a result, now fair color is being taken as associated with high status. The next reason behind this is the desire for the ‘western look’. It could be attributed to the fact that they have been ruled by Westerners for a long time and now  they want to be like them.

However, despite the fact that having whiter skin may improve a person’s self-esteem, these products can have negative effects. With regards to health, it is believed that these products tend to harm the skin permanently.For instance, some contain steroids or toxins which can severely damage the skin and other parts of the body. In terms of society, there are also detrimental effects.

Overall, people are using white creams to make themselves better, this has resulted in a belief that white is better than black. This tends to have  dangerous consequences for people’s future health and society as a whole.

IELTSBAND7