Streamer Valkyrae faces backlash for new gamer skincare range
UPDATE: Valkyrae has now responded to the criticism.
UPDATE 22/10/21: Valkyrae has now responded on her Twitter with a voice note after a "very very long two days".
"I've been waiting to speak and to stream until after I see how the RFLCT website has been updated," she said. "I also wanted to say that all of the hate and the doubt and concerns and the criticism are all warranted and valid. I understand completely where you're all coming from.
"I also was very upset and confused when I saw the website and there were no links to the studies or credits to the labs or the people that worked behind the scenes to make RFLCT happen. It's very confusing, lacking a lot of information, but they're updating it now. And after it's updated I will stream and I will answer everything and I will talk about my experience and all of it."
ORIGINAL STORY 20/10/21: Streamer Valkyrae is facing a backlash after launching a gamer skincare range that's been called a scam.
The popular streamer's RFLCT skincare range launched on the 19th October and is designed to protect users from "blue light pollution", emitted from digital screens.
However, she's been criticised for helping to develop such a product when some research around blue light pollution has proven it has a negligible effect on skin.
Dr. Ludger Kolbe, Chief Scientist Photobiology at The Beiersdorf research team, ran a study which concluded that "the amount of artificial blue light emitted during conventional use of electronic devices is nowhere near enough to trigger harmful skin effects" and that "compared to the emissions of the sun's natural blue light, those of artificial blue light are virtually undetectable."
The RFLCT range includes a Screen Shield Defense Face Moisturiser and a Lip Guard Moisture Balm, and contains the company's "Blue Light Prevention Factor" custom ingredients "to boost your skin's defense against blue light". The BLPF is "packed with vitamins and polyphenols" to combat "cell damage caused by blue light and other free radicals".
"It's the skincare collection for everyone who uses a screen," Valkyrae claimed in the RFLCT announcement video. "It's designed to protect your skin from blue light that is emitted from all digital screens."
The wording on the RFLCT website states that blue light "can damage your skin and eyes over time", somewhat downplaying any negative effects.
Further, the terms of service on the product website state the company is not obligated to update inaccuracies in production information. It also states: "We are not responsible if information made available on this site is not accurate, complete or current."
On the day of product launch, Valkyrae shared her excitement on Twitter: "i can't stop crying.. this has been a long journey with my team; testing, samples, meetings, chemists & Claudia Poccia teaching/guiding me through the skincare industry."
The tweet suggests she's been involved in the entire process. However, a now-deleted follow-up tweet on the streamer's personal account said she was "very confused".
Many of Valkyrae's fans have responded positively to the campaign, but a significant number of responses have noted how misleading it is - especially dangerous when many of her 3.56m YouTube followers are so young.