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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
After using Dove antibacterial soap, I had very bad rash on my neck and part of my face. Very itchy and painful. Got a very bad headache, hives , my eyes were itchy and my face swollen. Made it to ER they helped me out . I will never in my life use this soap again. Waste of money and had to miss working days as well !
I just got irritation on my baby after using Dove mango body wash. I went to dermotalogist, and he couldn’t determinate what kind of rush it is.
Dove Men Care Exfoliating Deep Clean body wash caused my skin to break out in rashes in two places. I thought I had been bitten by insects, but I’m certain it was the Dove, which I only used twice. It contains the suspect ingredient named in the lawsuit above. Probably too late to join class action lawsuit (9/17/23).
Dove Body Wash caused vitiligo on my arms and hands, and on my teenage grandson’s face and body. Research revealed product contains ingredients that can cause vitiligo. Had I known, I never would have purchased. My grandson who’s been affected the most commented he wants to sue Dove. His face has been permanently damaged by Dove Body Wash.
I have noticed skin issues after using this product. Please add me. thx
I have noticed skin issues after using this product repeatedly. Please add me.
I have used dove soap and honestly to say there are the worst products to use and my eczema has gotten worse from using it
I’m having same skin issues as most people described here. I had used different of the Dove essence for years but never paid much attention, not sure if the ingredients were changed, currently I’m trying three using of them the anti stress, this one I noticed my back started to itch and got a few bumps after shower, the restore one I thought was a good one but same skin problems, and the Soothing made my skin worst, now this week both arms and legs with rash and red bumps. This product is so expensive and it is causing harm to our health. Someone needs to reevaluate what’s going on, two years back my fiance also had issue with the Dove men products he got really bad red patches all over his back..
Please add my name.
Since February of 2023, I have had the worst case of contact dermatitis on my legs, hands, and arms.
Just recently figured out it is the Dove soap.
I am permanently scarred from this incident, both mentally and physically. I had cystic acne when I was young, but that was nothing compared to the pain of the contact dermatitis.
Note I have used Dove for many years and never had a reaction to the soap until this year.
I’m an RN and have been using dove for a decade on my lady parts and never had any problems down there and now I’ve had two bright red rashes and literally feels like a chemical burn down there ! F u DOVE