BBC Africa Today

Are beauty products serving black women?

Loading player...
Africa’s beauty and personal care industry is growing, as more people look to achieve glowing skin and the perfect make up look.

But many products on the market still do not cater to black skin. Last year, a study by US-based Environmental Working Group (EWG) found that over 3000 beauty products targeting black women contain health hazards. 

Focus on Africa: The Conversation host, Nkechi Ogbonna spoke with Zithobe Macheli, a skincare influencer from South Africa and Jessica Molefe, a make-up artist from Botswana to get their thoughts on this growing industry.

Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Carolyne Kiambo and Fana Negash
Technical Producer: Terry Chege
Senior Producer: Priya Sippy
Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla
30 Jan 10AM English United Kingdom News

Other recent episodes

Guinea-Bissau suspends US-backed hepatitis vaccine trial

The military government in Guinea-Bissau has suspended a scientific trial for the hepatitis B vaccine administered to newborns. The trial is funded by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to the tune of $1.6 million and conducted by scientists from the University of Southern Denmark. The Bissau government…
29 Jan 10AM 22 min

Kenya, Botswana efforts against cervical cancer

January is marked worldwide as cervical cancer awareness month. According to the World Health Organisation, cervical cancer is one of the most preventable types of cancer, yet it kills over 350,000 women globally every year. We look at how Kenya, where more than half of those diagnosed die within a…
28 Jan 10AM 22 min

Egypt, Morocco join Trump's Board of Peace

Morocco and Egypt are the only African nations in President Trump's Board of Peace. The body was initially meant to help implement a ceasefire in Gaza, but Trump says it could serve a wider role in ending global conflicts. We look at why Morocco and Egypt got the invitation to…
27 Jan 10AM 22 min

Ghana cocoa farmers decry delayed payments

Cocoa farmers in Ghana are disgruntled over delayed payments from the state regulator - COCOBOD. The farmers say the delay is endangering investments for the next farming season. Ghana, which is the world's second largest cocoa producer, changed the system through which farmers receive their payments in an attempt to…
26 Jan 10AM 22 min

Are more women delaying motherhood?

Around the world, more women are choosing to delay motherhood. In countries like Italy, Spain and South Korea, the average age of first-time mothers has risen to around 32. While many African countries still have some of the youngest ages of first-time mothers - a shift is also happening in parts of continent…
23 Jan 10AM 22 min
All episodes