L’Oreal class action alleges La Roche-Posay sunscreen SPF overstated

L’Oreal sunscreen class action lawsuit overview:

• Who: Plaintiff Tina Barrales filed a class action lawsuit against L’Oreal USA Inc.
• Why: Barrales claims L’Oreal falsely advertises its La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-In-Milk Sunscreen as having an SPF of 60.
• Where: The L’Oreal class action lawsuit was filed in California federal court.

A new class action lawsuit alleges L’Oreal falsely advertises its La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-In-Milk Sunscreen as having an SPF of 60 when it actually provides SPF 34 protection.

Plaintiff Tina Barrales claims L’Oreal falsely represents the sun protection factor of the sunscreen on its labeling and packaging and in advertising and promotional materials.

According to Barrales’ L’Oreal class action lawsuit, consumers are deceived into believing the sunscreen offers better protection against sunburn and other dangerous effects of exposure to ultraviolet radiation than it actually does.

Barrales claims consumers are misled into purchasing the sunscreen at prices in excess of the prices charged for sunscreens providing less SPF protection.

“By falsely representing the SPF protection provided by the Product, Defendant has misled and continues to mislead consumers into believing that they are purchasing a sunscreen with better quality, filtration, absorption, and reflection capabilities against ultraviolet radiation than the lower-SPF product,” the L’Oreal class action lawsuit says.

Class action: Testing shows L’Oreal sunscreen provides SPF 34 protection

Barrales claims independent laboratory testing revealed the L’Oreal sunscreen provides only SPF 34 protection. An SPF protection of 34 is considered substantially lower than an SPF protection of 60, the L’Oreal class action lawsuit alleges.

Barrales asserts L’Oreal has been aware or should have been aware since the product’s inception that the true SPF protection provided by the sunscreen is significantly lower than 60.

“Moreover, based on the Product’s chemical formula and ingredients (and the quantities of each) alone, Defendant either knew or should have known that the true SPF protection provided by the Product is significantly lower than SPF 60,” the L’Oreal class action lawsuit says.

Barrales claims L’Oreal is guilty of unjust enrichment, fraud and negligent misrepresentation and of breaching express and implied warranties and California’s False Advertising Law and Unfair Competition Law.

The plaintiff demands a jury trial and requests declaratory and injunctive relief and an award of actual, compensatory and punitive damages for herself and all class members.

Another recent class action lawsuit accuses Hawaiian Tropic Everyday Active SPF 50 Sport Sunscreen Lotion of providing only SPF 20 protection.

What do you think of the claims made in this L’Oreal class action lawsuit? Let us know in the comments.

The plaintiff is represented by Frank S. Hedin of Hedin LLP.

The L’Oreal sunscreen class action lawsuit is Barrales v. L’Oreal USA Inc., Case No. 2:25-cv-07912, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.

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