Vaseline has unveiled the Mended Murals initiative, its latest endeavor in a bid to tackle the longstanding issue of skin healthcare disparities.
The initiative utilizes art restoration as a medium to underscore the significance of caring for skin of color and advocate for increased access to skin health resources in underrepresented communities.
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The campaign aims to shine a spotlight on the neglected aspect of skin health care, particularly for people of color, in the face of systemic racism and healthcare inequities.
To celebrate the launch of Mended Murals and raise awareness in the next supported community, Vaseline will collaborate with Black Future House in Austin, Texas.
The partnership includes hosting a panel moderated by award-winning journalist Elaine Welteroth, featuring prominent local figures like dermatologist Dr. Adewole "Ade" Adamson and Unilever Beauty & Wellbeing Senior R&D Director Tiffany Yizar.
Vaseline Partners With Muralists
In line with the launch, the skin care company released a three-minute spot championing its advocacy. It featured several fading murals, comparing them to how the skin issues of ethnic minorities are neglected.
The brand enlisted the help of muralists Ernest Shaw, Cory Payne and Robert Vargas to bring back the life of his original murals.
QR codes were then placed over the art, which then redirects users to SeeMySkin.com, where they can access vital skin health resources.
"When we have something like this, it's remarkable. And those of us who live here, we appreciate it," a guest speaker in the video shared.
The video then emphasizes the symbolic nature of the murals and how it represents both the beauty and vulnerability of skin, as well as Vaseline's dedication to protect it.
It then ends with one imporant message to its viewers: "All communities deserve healthy skin."
Vaseline Continues Healthy Skin Initiative
According to Kathleen Dunlop, CMO of Unilever Beauty and Wellbeing, North America, the initiative is a continuation of Vaseline's commitment to providing equitable skin health care.
"Mended Murals is a continuation of Vaseline's long-standing commitment to enable 15 million people of color to access more equitable skin health care by 2025," Dunlop stated in a press release.
Vaseline has committed to commissioning mural restorations in cities like Baltimore, Maryland, Brooklyn, New York and Hartford, with plans to extend the initiative to more locations.
The company will also allocate $250,000 to local charitable health clinics in each U.S. city where murals are restored.
Editing by Katherine 'Makkie' Maclang