A New Jersey federal judge refused to toss a class action lawsuit contending that Neutrogena facial wipes caused burning and irritation in an order issued Friday.
Neutrogena and parent company Johnson & Johnson (J&J) argued that the class action lawsuit was barred under federal law. U.S. District Judge Freda L. Wolfson knocked down most of the manufacturers’ arguments in a May 28 order.
Judge Wolfson noted in her order that the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA), in addition to state product liability laws, prohibits the misrepresentation of cosmetics, such as Neutrogena facial wipes.
J&J argued the FDCA provisions barred the state law claims made in the Neutrogena towelette irritation class action lawsuit; however, the judge rejected this contention, finding that the company had “overlooked” a provision stating “[n]othing in this section shall be construed to modify or otherwise affect any action or the liability of any person under the product liability law of any state.”
“Contrary to JJCI’s assertion, the FDCA does not amount to an absolute bar to plaintiffs’ state products liability claims in this context. In fact, Congress, through [Section] 379s(d)’s savings clause, expressly preserved state product liability actions involving cosmetics,” stated Judge Wolfson in her order.
In addition, Judge Wolfson preserved the plaintiffs’ claims that Neutrogena and J&J had a duty to warn them of even rare and unusual reactions to the wipes. Further, the judge found that a company-issued refund for the product was not a reason to dismiss the class action.
Lead plaintiff Jaimie Potts originally filed the Neutrogena wipes class action lawsuit in California federal court in April 2020 after her daughter developed a rash, peeling skin, and a burning sensation from using the towelettes, even though she used them correctly. Potts alleged that J&J had misrepresented these products as safe.
Months later, several other plaintiffs joined the class action lawsuit, claiming they experienced burning or irritation after using Neutrogena cleansing towelette products. The claims were moved to New Jersey federal court.
The Neutrogena wipes class action lawsuit was trimmed of its California, Florida New Jersey, and New York state law claims, along with its negligent omission and unjust enrichment claims. The plaintiffs will be allowed to submit an amended complaint to salvage come of those claims.
Have you used Neutrogena wipes? Have you experienced any problems with burning or irritation? Tell us about it in the comment section below!
The lead plaintiffs are represented by John J. Nelson and Keia J. Atkinson of Finkelstein & Krinsk LLP and Nicholas Conlon of Brown LLC.
The Neutrogena Wipes Class Action Lawsuit is Potts v. Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc., Case No. 3:20-cv-10406, in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.
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106 thoughts onClass Action Over Burning, Irritation Caused by Neutrogena Wipes Survives Dismissal
I had used Neutrogena Face Wipes for years until 2 years ago. November 2023: I had opened a new package to clean my face and remove makeup. The next morning I woke up and my eyes were swollen. Two days later, my nose and ears were swollen with pus filled blisters. My entire face was so swollen that my husband didn’t recognize me. I tried going to Urgent care and was referred to the ER. At the RR they got me back right away and was surprised I was not having trouble breathing. They pumped me full of antibiotics and steroids. They sent me home with prescriptions. The swelling was so bad that I could not sleep on my sides. After a couple days of sleeping on my back, the swelling started shifting further along my hairline and neck. After 2 weeks of antibiotics, the swelling was still bad. Went back to the ER, they gave my higher doses of antibiotics and steroids and treated it as allergic reaction contact dermatitis.
In March 2024, my hair started breaking off from where the infection was and had spread to. Everytime I would wash my hair or even brush it, handfuls of hair would come out. I contacted my SIL who is the owner of a hair salon. I explained what was going on. She stated that the infection had damaged my hair follicles and eventually I would get new growth. I have always had full, thick long hair. This was and still is very emotional. In June 2025, there was enough growth to Be able to cut my hair right above my shoulders so I could try to have a normal hairstyle. This has effected my life in so many ways. I hope that Noone else ever has to go through this nightmare!
Severe allergic reaction, medical assistance needed
I used the Neutrogena plant based make up remover ultrasoft cleansing towelettes. My eyes started burning pretty bad. At first I didn’t think it was the wipes. Until I happen to see a comment on something about them burning eyes. I stopped using them for a few days then tried them again. It’s definitely the wipes. I’ll be returning them, I just got a new bag of the singles. Very uncomfortable!