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Update:
- A New York federal judge ruled Unilever must face claims it violated New York General Business Law by labeling a line of its Dove brand body wash as “microbiome gentle.”
- Plaintiff Aliyah Anderson claims the Dove body wash is not “microbiome gentle” but, rather, deceptively labeled by Unilever.
- Unilever had asked that the class action claims be dismissed, arguing that the labeling on the Dove product was not misleading.
- U.S. District Judge Kenneth M. Karas trimmed a number of other claims from the class action lawsuit, including unjust enrichment and fraud, among other things, but allowed the deceptive labeling claim to proceed.
- The complaint was first filed in April 2021 and amended in September.
(April 12, 2021)
A Dove body wash marketed as being “microbiome gentle” and containing “skin-natural nourishers” in fact contains multiple ingredients that trigger skin reactions, a new lawsuit alleges.
In a class action lawsuit filed Saturday in New York federal court, Plaintiff Aliyah Anderson alleges that Dove manufacturer Unilever violated multiple state and federal laws through the marketing of its Dove Deep Moisture Bodywash.
Anderson says the company touts the product’s benefits for the skin microbiome, encouraging people to buy it in order to “start your year with a healthy microbiome.”
“However, the product is not ‘microbiome gentle’ because it contains numerous ingredients which trigger negative skin reactions,” the lawsuit says.
The main ingredient of the body wash, after water, is cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB), the lawsuit states, which is restricted in cosmetics and is unsafe when it is not thoroughly rinsed off the skin, according to the environmental nonprofit Environmental Working Group. The class action claims CAPB is a common trigger for skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, rosacea and contact dermatitis, as well as eye irritation.
Unilever also markets the product as containing “skin-natural nourishers,” which makes consumers think the product is natural, even though it contains synthetic ingredients, the lawsuit says.
The lawsuit includes an image of the product ingredients, highlighting seven ingredients it alleges are not natural, and are instead made through chemical reactions.
New York resident Aliyah Anderson claims she bought Dove Deep Moisture Bodywash on one or more occasions in 2020, at least once from a Costco.
Anderson wanted to buy a product with the qualities advertised on the label of the body wash, so was willing to pay a premium for it — no less than $5.99 for a 22 OZ bottle. However, she says she would not have paid as much if Unilever had not made “false and misleading statements and omissions” on its packaging.
The lawsuit cites consumers’ growing desire to buy natural cosmetics, with more people — especially millennials — becoming concerned about synthetic ingredients in cosmetics.
“[Unilever] misrepresented the products through affirmative statements, half-truths, and omissions,” the lawsuit says. “[It] sold more of the product and at a higher price than it would have in absence of this misconduct, resulting in additional profits at the expense of consumers.”
Anderson is suing under New York General Business Law consumer protection statutes, as well as for breach of warranty, fraud and unjust enrichment.
She’s looking to represent a Class of New York residents who bought the body wash and is seeking certification of the Class, an injunction forcing Unilever to correct its alleged illegal practices, damages, costs, fees and a jury trial.
British-Dutch consumer goods company Unilever is a well-known global brand that produces many of the household items we are all familiar with, such as Dove, Lipton and Ben & Jerry’s.
Over the years the multinational corporation has found itself facing consumer backlash and criticism regarding the operations of the company and the quality of the products, which have led to a range of class action lawsuits being filed.
Right now, Unilever is facing multiple lawsuits over allegations that its TRESemmé keratin shampoo and conditioner causes scalp irritation and hair loss. For the latest news on Unilever class action lawsuits, click here.
Have you bought Dove body wash? Let us know what you think of this lawsuit in the comments!
Anderson is represented by Spencer Sheehan of Sheehan & Associates, P.C.
The Unilever Body Wash Class Action Lawsuit is Aliyah Anderson et al, v. Unilever United States, Case No. 7:21-cv-03117, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.
Read About More Class Action Lawsuits & Class Action Settlements:
1,810 thoughts onDove class action over ‘gentle’ body wash claims to proceed
I’ve used Doce antibacterial for years, I’m A healthcare worker. The past few months my skin has broken out in a red blotchy rash that stings and burns so bad. I was like no way it could be this. I switched to Aveeno, cleared up. Tried Dove again and instantly burned my skin. Took pictures of before and after. It’s true, what the heck DOVE!
I’ve been using dove for years and had dry patches on my body didn’t know that that the body wash could cause it
I’ve used the body wash for years and recently a few times it broke me out, I’ve had to stop! Add me!
Yes add my name! I’ve used the body wash for years and recently a few times it broke me out, I’ve had to stop!
Please add me
Also I had blisters/bumps on arms so bad til I had yo wear long sleeve shirts and the drainage would go thru the sleeves onto the bed lining, I had to throw away so many shirts draining fluid thru my long sleeve shirts it was so embarrassing to to be around anyone til the point I isolated myself away from everyone til my mom went bought some Bandages, gauzes, liquid bandage, and ointment for the itching and medication from me scratching so bad til my skin was bleeding, I had to wear gloves when I was going to grocery store because my hands is severely swollen sores between fingers thumbs severely open wounds that looks like someone sliced them with a knife deep and open to the point I couldn’t wash dishes,etc. Im so traumatized til I kept trying to found out what was going on myself since the doctors said they didn’t know was the problem was because the blood work was good didn’t anything show in the lab results. I read up on the all kind of health issues to try to come up with the problem until about 1 hr ago ias I was on the internet dóing some research on my problem somehow the Lord led this page to come up as I was searching and as I was reading this article and the comments, I finally succeeded. Dove is the problem I immediately grabbed the Dove washes and threw them óut far as I could. I done called family and friends and screenshot the comments and they are the same injuries I have from the Dove body wash Thank You Lied for leading me e to what I been stressed out about trying to found out what is causing my skin to to deteriorate. My hands,arms chest fingers look like the are rotten, it caused me and my boyfriend to breakup, it done impacted on me mentally, physically. Could someone please help me, I think my injuries is the worst of all. Denetrice Hardaway email address: lexushardaway35@gmail.com
I need to talk to attorney I’m suffering with pain and suffering as well as all these black burned patches from the rash which it itches very bad painful. I have my son name tattooed on my forearm in big letters RUSSELL from wrist to elbow. I had him on my 18th Birthday March 5th 1991
He got murdered 2 weeks after his 18th Birthday which was March 27, 2009. I got his name tattooed in the Remembrance of him, March went out a week ago I suffered the whole month of March from this very bad hive like bumps on arms hands etc. The big dark burned mark covers the tattoo of his name on my forearm😭 I suffered the whole month of March dealing with our Birthday March 5th, his Date of date March 27th, as well as suffering from this bad itchy ras over my body from the Dove Body wash I need an Attorney to handle this case I live in Dallas Tx I’m going thru this skin irritation as im texting as A matter of Fact I was in Emergency room on my Son Date of Death March 27th😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
I use Dove body wash and I have extremely intensive skin rash on arms stomache chest hands legs from the Dove Body wash which I have photos of the damage it caused,severe itching rash that left my hands stomache and arms black asif I been burned right now as im texting. I went to emergency hospital and they did blood work and couldn’t come up with a explanation to what caused these damages on my body. I couldn’t understand how in the world these hospital doctors couldn’t found the cause of this problem they recommened me to a dermatologist in which I’m waiting on my appointment now. The nurse at the hospital called in a doctor to see the condition my body was in and asked me if I didn’t mind if they took photos, so they took photos. As I was reading this article this is the problem this Dove Body wash🥺 Please add me to the lawsuit Denetrice Hardaway, Dallas Tx
Uses the body wash few years ago and didn’t use again as it made my skin dry and itchy. Also been using their 2 in 1 daily moisture shampoo and conditioner and the new bottle has given me breathing problems and burning throat and makes me feel dizzy … I think they have changed something in it as the previous bottle was fine. I’ve noticed that they’ve changed the ppg-9 to ppg-6 and wonder if that is the problem or if they have changed the perfume they use in it or just used more of a chemical than previously. Please add me.
Every time I use the Body wash it causes severe irritation, rashes and itching….i did not know what was causing it at first so i tested it and sure enough that was the culprit. The deodorant started doing the same thing…..now i have severe dark blotches on my under arms that I’m trying to get rid of.I called Dove and they asked if i wanted coupons???? At first i said yes then thought what other product would i buy from them because every one I use my skin reacts. So i said No, i have sever burning and itching and scaring on my under arms and legs. I advised i want to put in a claim instead and they said alright we have your information. We do not know when you will get a reply but we have your information. That was 7 months ago. I will be calling back. I recently tried another deodorant because I wanted an Aluminum Free product and they had a Vanilla Lavender deodorant that was allegedly Aluminum Free and as I applied it I IMMEDIATELY had burning and itching sensations on my underarms….Please add me to the Law Suit.