You'll have to excuse our gobsmacked expressions in the ELLE office today. 

We've watched this advert approximately 4,561 times and we're still profoundly baffled.

A television commercial for Chinese detergent brand Qiaobi has surfaced in various chat rooms today and it's sparked enormous outrage for what appears to be quite blatant racism.

As we've gleaned from the number of skin whitening products that are still wildly popular on the Asian market, there is still a sad premium placed on paler skin. 

This advert, though, appears to go a giant, horrendous leap further.

Depicted in the commercial is the story of a young woman going about her house chores, who is courted by her black painter decorator. 

Who she then stuffs in the washing machine, rinsing off his skin tone until he pops out a completely different race. 

Watch it for yourself if you don't believe us: 

youtubeView full post on Youtube

According to various forums, the advert has appeared on television and before certain films in the cinema this month, so it is certainly a current campaign, which really beggars belief. 

We've run out of things to say on the subject, it's all a bit too much.

Thoughts in 140 characters or less please - @ELLEUK!

Headshot of Natasha Bird
Natasha Bird
Former Digital Executive Editor

Natasha Bird is the Former Executive Editor (Digital) of ELLE.