Aveeno Class Action Says Lotion Doesn’t Provide ‘Stress Relief’

Johnson & Johnson faces a class action lawsuit alleging certain Aveeno “stress relief” products don’t live up to their claims.

Lead plaintiff Yajaira Sullivan claims that Aveeno Stress Relief Moisturizing Lotion and Aveeno Stress Relief Body Wash are deceptively marketed.

In addition to claiming the products provide stress relief, Johnson & Johnson reportedly include references to so-called clinical studies touting the relaxing effects of lavender, chamomile, and ylang ylang.

“Every sound and reliable study has demonstrated that aromatherapy with lavender, chamomile, and ylang ylang are no better than a placebo at providing stress relief,” states the Aveeno class action lawsuit.

“There are no studies demonstrating the ingredients in the Products, by themselves or in combination, can be used for aromatherapy to relieve stress as Defendant claims.”

Sullivan says that she and other consumers would not have purchased or paid as much for Aveeno Stress Relief products had they known that they would not provide the benefits included on the labeling and marketing.

“Aromatherapy involves the use of essential oils from plants (flowers, herbs, or trees). Essential oils used in aromatherapy are typically extracted from various parts of plants by distillation. The highly concentrated oils may be inhaled directly or indirectly,” explains the Aveeno class action lawsuit.

The complaint accuses Johnson & Johnson of attempting to hop on the booming aromatherapy industry that garnered $1.2 billion in revenue in 2017 alone, mainly in the United States.

“Conditions in the industry have created the perfect storm for unscrupulous manufacturers of moisturizers, lotions, and soaps, like Defendant, to take advantage of consumers,” contends the Aveeno lotion class action lawsuit.

“Numerous companies, including Defendant, advertise products with particular scents as having the ability to relieve stress and reduce anxiety…However, there are few high-quality randomized, controlled trials examining the efficacy of aromatherapy for any purpose, let alone for providing stress relief.”

According to the Aveeno class action lawsuit, there are a dearth of studies establishing that aromatherapy has any effect on stress levels, mood, or psychological wellbeing. In fact, most studies show that there is no connection between various aromas, lavender in particular, and stress relief, alleges the Aveeno lotion class action.

The Aveeno class action lawsuit further contends that the studies that have found a connection between certain aromas, including lavender, and stress relief suffer from methodological flaws. The fragrances used in these studies, says the plaintiff, are sourced from pure oils and are delivered via oxygen mask, jar, or a pad taped to study participants’ faces.

Despite this lack of evidence, Johnson & Johnson touts that the lavender and other substances in certain Aveeno brand products can relieve stress, says the complaint.

Aveeno Stress Relief products do not use pure oils, but an “amalgam of ingredients,” including synthetic chemicals.

In addition, points out the class action, the Aveeno products are meant to be used topically, not inhaled via mask or jar as in the studies.

The Aveeno class action lawsuit seeks to represent a nationwide Class of those who purchased Aveeno Stress Relief Moisturizing Lotion and Aveeno Stress Relief Body Wash.

The plaintiff is represented by Joseph Lipari of The Sultzer Law Group PC.

The Aveeno Stress Relief Lotion Class Action Lawsuit is Sullivan v. Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies Inc., Case No. 1:19-cv-02803, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York.

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