Christina Spicer  |  June 29, 2021

Category: Beauty Products

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(Photo Credit: Ashwin/Shutterstock)

A consumer says that Clinique Laboratories LLC misrepresents its so-called oil-free makeup by using “numerous oils” as ingredients and charging a premium for the falsely advertised products.  

Lead plaintiff, Illinois resident Norah Flaherty, filed a nationwide class action lawsuit in federal court Monday claiming that Clinique falsely advertises at least eight products as “oil-free.” Flaherty says that she and other consumers paid more for the supposedly oil-free products, but were duped by Clinique’s marketing because the items contain oils.  

Flaharty says that she purchased several Clinique makeup products that were labeled “oil-free.” The plaintiff alleges that to her and other consumers, “oil-free” means that the product does not contain ingredients that are “liquid at room temperature, more viscous but less dense than water, do not mix with water, and slick or slippery to the touch.” 

The plaintiff says she paid more for Clinique’s items because she does not like how oil feels on her skin and interacts with other products she uses. However, she says she discovered that the Clinique makeup she bought contains several types of oils.  

“On multiple occasions using either of the Products she most recently purchased Plaintiff has experienced dissatisfaction with the Products due to the Products feelings oily, causing breakouts, leaving an unpleasant residue on her skin, causing eye irritation when mixed with sweat, and interacting with other skincare products she used at the same time in a way that made her skin feel oily,” states the lawsuit. 

The class action lawsuit claims that the following Clinique products contain numerous types of oils, such as dimethicone, isostearyl neopentanoate, and tocopherol acetate, among others: 

  • Beyond perfecting foundation + concealer 
  • Dramatically different moisturizing gel 
  • Stay-Matte Sheer Pressed Powder 
  • Stay-Matte Oil-Free make up 
  • Super City Block 
  • City Block oil-free daily face protector 
  • Superdefense City Block 

Flaharty alleges that many of the ingredients used in Clinique’s “oil-free” makeup products “are commonly referred to as oils or oily liquids in the chemical industry, cosmetics/skincare industry, and consumer-oriented media regarding those substances.” 

“All of the Products contain oils, but Defendant intentionally advertise and label the Products as oil-free,” says the class action lawsuit.  

The plaintiff claims that she and other consumers without an advanced understanding of chemistry would not be able to tell from the packaging that Clinique makeup contained oil ingredients.  

In addition to paying more for Clinique makeup, the plaintiff says that she and other customers were deprived of the ability to choose which substances they used on their skin and body. Indeed, Flaharty wants to represent consumers nationwide who purchased Clinique “oil-free” makeup, along with an Illinois subclass. 

The plaintiff wants Clinique to pay Class Members damages, as well as stop falsely advertising its supposedly oil-free makeup.  

Have you used Clinique “oil-free” makeup products? We want to hear from you! Tell us about your experience in the comment section below! 

The plaintiff is represented by Todd M. Friedman and David B. Levin of the Law Offices of Todd M. Friedman, PC, and Steven G. Perry of the Law Offices of Steven G. Perry.  

The Clinique Oil-Free Makeup False Advertising Class Action Lawsuit is Flaherty v. Clinique Laboratories LLC, Case No. 1:21-cv-03447 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division.  


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769 thoughts onClinique ‘Oil-Free’ Makeup Contains ‘Numerous Oils,’ Claims Class Action Lawsuit

  1. Yvette Dhuperoyrs says:

    Please add me I have used Clinique for several years and have paid a lot of money for my make up now I understand why me face feels like it does.

  2. Teresa Weymouth says:

    No wonder you break out from it

    Please add me

  3. Tianna Francis says:

    I have used Clinique for years and years this company is going over 50 years and I also use to work for them . This is auto goven all the trading the put us through as employees around sensitivity and oil-free and other benefits on their ingredients. I still to this day use 75%of my makeup and all my skincare needs as Clinique! Please add me in as well, I need to know more! Thank you

    1. Tianna Francis says:

      I have used Clinique for years and years this company is going over 50 years and I also use to work for them . This is crazy to hear given all the training they put us through as employees around sensitivity and oil-free and other benefits on their ingredients. I still to this day use 75%of my makeup and all my skincare needs as Clinique! Please add me in as well, I need to know more! Thank you

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