Kerry Washington's latest InStyle cover sparked outrage across social media platforms.

On Wednesday, Washington posted a photo from the magazine on her Instagram account with the caption: "I'm THRILLED to share with you all that I'm on the cover of this year's March @instylemagazine! Can't wait for you guys to see it and read it! So honored. And crazy excited."

The "Scandal" star looked stunning in the snapshot, but one major thing the netizens are ceaselessly pointing out was the 38-year-old actress' obviously photoshopped skin tone on the cover, which, according to Huffington Post, "appeared significantly lighter than in real life."

InStyle took heat from social media users for lightening Washington's skin. One commenter wrote: "Glad you made the cover kerry, but this isn't right. I'm sorry. It's not. Don't let them do that to you." Another user said: "Why is she white in this picture," Huffington Post quoted.

Other succeeding negative comments were removed, the news outlet noted.

This wasn't the first time that a magazine with Washington as its cover star garnered criticisms for lightening her skin tone. According to Huffington Post, Lucky Magazine also received negative feedback back in 2013 on their January/February cover for making the actress "unrecognizable."

Instead of denying or side sweeping the issue, InStyle responded to the controversy and explained their side in an official statement.

"We are super fans of Kerry Washington here at InStyle. To feature her on the cover of our March spring fashion issue is both an honor and a delight. We have heard from those who have spoken out about our newsstand cover photograph, concerned that Kerry's skin tone was lightened," the magazine said.

InStyle added, "While we did not digitally lighten Kerry's skin tone, our cover lighting has likely contributed to this concern. We understand that this has resulted in disappointment and hurt. We are listening, and the feedback has been valuable. We are committed to ensuring that this experience has a positive influence on the ways in which we present all women going forward."

Washington, on the other hand, tweeted the link of InStyle's official statement. She posted: "Beautiful statement. Thank u 4 opening this convo. Its an important 1 that needs to be had."

Aside from InStyle, other magazines which also faced similar controversies were Elle and Vanity Fair, NY Mag reports. The former was accused in 2010 for digitally manipulating Gabourey Sidibe's skin tone, while the latter received backlash in 2013 when they featured Lupita Nyong'o with lightened skin.