Where White Is Beautiful

It is difficult to explain the concept of wanting a "healthy tan" or going to a tanning salon for an instant improvement in a country where white is beautiful. In my wanderings around Phnom Penh's supermarkets I haven't seen one DIY spray-on fake tan but I have seen shelves of moisturising creams and other products that promise fairer skin. (Actually I asked my sister if I could use some of her skin whitening face cream one night. A single application and I've been white ever since. Amazing!)

My favourite product has to be the "skin whitening deodorant". I can't say that I've ever given a moments thought to the pigmentation of my own underarms- or anyone else's. Whitening deodorant? "What the?!"