Celebrity Sponsored Ads
Let’s talk celebrity sponsored ads
Exhibit A: Scott Disick pitching a balm that is supposed to change the color of your eyes by a company called iColour. FTC law states that it requires disclosure if it’s an ad (ad it is) it’s not done here.
The Kardashian family are no strangers to sponsored ads, they are notorious for diet teas, lollipops and other dubious and hazardous products.
Here’s what the product claims it’s going to do (via Amazon).
This ingredient is commonly found in creams and lotions that are used for skin lightening. We have successfully formulated this ingredient for direct application under the eyes. Once it is absorbed through the surface of the skin (eye area), and it reaches the eye, it begins to block the production of melanin by inhibiting the activation of key enzymes that are required to produce melanin. This action results in a gradual decrease of your melanin levels which is what ultimately causes the change in eye color.
And here’s what Dr. Andrea Tooley an ophthalmology resident at the Mayo Clinic and spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology says it’s going to to do: As anybody with even a remedial understanding of genetics knows, eye color is determined by your genetics, not blueberry flavored eye ChapStick. Dr. Toomey says:
“There are some different ways that you can change your eye color if you have different diseases or you have a foreign body in your eye,” she said. “Those are all conditions that you don’t want to have.”
The actual law about internet ads and product placements via the FTC is here.