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Makeup class action lawsuits, settlements overview:
- Who: Companies including L’Oreal, Target, Burt’s Bees, Murad and Almay have been hit with class action lawsuits and forced to pay settlements this year over their makeup products.
- Why: The class action lawsuits and settlements primarily claim that makeup products sold by the brands contain harmful chemicals, such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
- Where: The cosmetics companies cater to consumers nationwide.
Consumers are known to be careful when paying attention to the ingredients in the skincare and cosmetics products they purchase.
Companies that manufacture these products, meanwhile, can go to great lengths to reassure customers that their products are free of toxins or harsh chemicals that can irritate the skin.
Currently, some of the most well-known makeup brands have been quietly removing talc from their products over concerns they are contaminated with asbestos, a known human carcinogen.
With that in mind, consumers have filed a number of makeup class action lawsuits against cosmetics companies this year over claims their products are falsely advertised or contain harmful chemicals, making them unsafe.
Target accused of falsely marketing cosmetics as ‘oil-free’
One part of a class action lawsuit was allowed to proceed against Target last month over claims it falsely labeled some of its cosmetics products as “oil-free.”
The consumer behind the class action lawsuit was allowed to proceed with claims that Target’s Up & Up brand facial moisturizer contains the oils glycine soja sterols and dimethicone despite being marketed to customers as being “oil-free.”
Target was let off the hook for a dozen claims related to other products the consumer claimed it falsely labeled as “oil-free,” however, as the judge overseeing the case determined that they did not have standing since they did not actually purchase the products.
Almay ‘clean’ makeup products allegedly contain PFAS
Almay also faced a class action lawsuit earlier this year by three customers claiming the company falsely marketed its makeup as “clean” despite it allegedly containing harmful per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
The customers argue Almay has built an image of itself as being a clean and affordable brand while allegedly selling cosmetics products containing harmful PFAS.
“Defendants do not disclose that the Products contain PFAS, a chemical which is entirely inconsistent with Defendants’ marketing and advertising,” the makeup class action states.
Murad products allegedly contain harmful color additives
Consumers filed a similar class action lawsuit against Murad in April over claims the company has several makeup products containing color additives that become harmful when used around the eyes.
Two of Murad’s customers claim the company fails to warn consumers about the potentially harmful color additives and, in some cases, even prompts them to use the products directly on or around their eyes.
The products in question in the Murad class action are its Retinol Youth Renewal Night Serum and its Clarifying Oil-Free Water Gel.
One of the customers behind the class action lawsuit claimed their eyes became red and started to develop discharge after using the night serum.
“Nowhere on the labels did [Murad] disclose that the products should not be used in the eye area,” the Murad class action states.
L’Oreal accused of falsely representing waterproof mascara as safe
L’Oreal also came under fire, when, in March, consumers filed a class action lawsuit against the company over allegations it failed to disclose that its waterproof mascara product contains toxic PFAS.
The two consumers behind the class action lawsuit claim L’Oreal, due to the alleged presence of PFAS, falsely represents that its waterproof mascara products are ““safe, effective, high quality and appropriate.”
“It is reasonable for consumers to be concerned about these chemicals, which carry significant health risks and are often undisclosed by manufacturers,” the makeup class action states.
Burt’s Bees allegedly does not disclose products contain PFAS
Burt’s Bees, meanwhile, has been named in a pair of class action lawsuits this year over separate claims revolving around its alleged sale of products containing harmful PFAS.
In March, a consumer behind a class action lawsuit argued Burt’s Bees falsely advertised that its products are “100% Natural” despite them allegedly containing organofluorine.
The claims followed a similar class action lawsuit filed in February against Burt’s Bees that alleged the company failed to disclose to consumers that its products contain harmful PFAS.
Rodan + Fields to pay $38 Million to end Lash Boost drug claims
Rodan + Fields agreed earlier this year to pay $38 million to resolve claims the company’s Lash Boost product contained a chemical that actually made it a misbranded drug that could cause harmful and serious side effects.
Consumers behind the class action lawsuit against Rodan + Fields claimed the product should have been classified as a drug and regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug and Administration due to it containing isopropyl cloprostenate.
The class action settlement benefited consumers who purchased the Lash Boost product between October 2016 and March 11, 2022.
Consumers have also allegedly experienced severe health issues after using Johnson’s Baby Powder or Shower to Shower body powder. If you or a loved one was diagnosed with mesothelioma or ovarian cancer after using Johnson’s Baby Powder or Shower to Shower body powder, you may qualify to join a free Johnson’s Baby Powder class action lawsuit investigation.
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757 thoughts onMakeup class actions, settlements target harmful ingredients in cosmetics
Yes , it is disgusting to think I have paid extra money thinking the eye make-up products where safe and non toxic
Please add me. Also my daughter who just turned 16 has been using Burt’s Bees and L’Oréal and Almay for competition makeup for cheer so does she qualify as well?