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Two plaintiffs are suing the makers of St. Ives Apricot Scrub, claiming the product actually causes skin damage.
Plaintiffs Kaylee Browning and Sarah Basile are challenging defendant Unilever United States Inc. over its inclusion of crushed walnut shells in its St. Ives Apricot Scrub.
Crushed walnut shells damage the skin in a way that makes it completely unsuitable for use in a skin care product, the plaintiffs claim.
Browning and Basile quote assessments from a slew of skin care professionals decrying the use of abrasives like crushed walnut shells on facial skin.
One dermatologist quoted in a 2015 New York Magazine article said that “[l]arge, hard, and sandlike rocks” like those in St. Ives Apricot Scrub are “too abrasive for the face’s thin skin.”
Another dermatologist said using crushed walnut shells is like “using sandpaper on your face.” It can cause inflammation and irritation that can accelerate the aging process, the dermatologist said.
Still another skincare expert interviewed in the New York Magazine article said that abrasive scrubs create “micro-tears” in the skin, and that this damage makes the skin “more vulnerable to environmental damages, pollution, and sun damage.”
The plaintiffs also quote a blog post from an esthetician, who explains that the tiny tears in the skin caused by walnut shell powder allow bacteria to enter. The scrubbing action causes inflammation of the skin, which itself makes pores swell and close, promoting the development of acne, according to this esthetician.
“Accordingly, St. Ives is unfit to be sold or used as a facial scrub,” the plaintiffs claim. “The product is completely worthless.”
Browning and Basile allege the defendant knows this about its own product, since it advertises St. Ives Apricot Scrub as being “dermatologist tested.” Yet despite knowing this, Unilever does not disclose that the product causes skin damage or that it is not actually recommended by dermatologists, the plaintiffs claim.
The class action also challenges Unilever’s representation that St. Ives Apricot Scrub is “non-comedogenic,” i.e. that it does not tend to clog pores. They claim several of the product’s ingredients are in fact highly comedogenic.
Both Browning and Basile say they purchased St. Ives Apricot Scrub at times within the past three years – Browning in California, and Basile in New York.
Both say they relied on the defendant’s marketing of the product as suitable for use as a facial scrub when they chose to buy it. They allege they never would have bought St. Ives facial scrub if the defendant had disclosed that it causes skin damage.
Browning and Basile propose to represent a nationwide Class consisting of all persons in the U.S. who purchased St. Ives Apricot Scrub. They also propose to represent two subclasses, each from their respective home states of California and New York.
They are asking the court for an injunction preventing the defendant from continuing the alleged false advertising. They also seek an award of damages, restitution, court costs and attorneys’ fees.
The plaintiffs are represented by attorneys L. Timothy Fisher, Joel D. Smith and Scott A. Bursor of Bursor & Fisher PA.
The St. Ives Apricot Scrub Class Action Lawsuit is Kaylee Browning, et al. v. Unilever United States Inc., Case No. 8:16-cv-2210, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
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151 thoughts onSt. Ives Apricot Scrub Class Action Says Product Causes Skin Damage
TCA – is there any word on being able to join in on this?? Thanks
I have used St. Ives products for years–specifically the deep scrub formula–without any negative consequences. The product advises to GENTLY massage it into the skin and rinse 3-4 TIMES A WEEK. Obviously, if a person is using a product widely used and long beloved, and it causes pain or injury, the logical conclusion would either be that the person is using the product incorrectly (i.e. massaging too hard or using it too often), or that perhaps their skin type needs a different product. That these people would have the gall and indecent sense of entitlement to attack a product that is among the few on the market that are mostly natural and actually work, and demand that St. Ives essentially tailor a product specifically geared to their individual needs–regardless of the needs of others–is so characteristic of the nonsensical pattern of self-centered behavior prevalent these days. If these detractors find that the products do not work for them (or that they can not figure out how to use them), they should use another product. The word of one misguided dermatologist does not outweigh years of satisfied customer use, and never will. I will be beyond disappointed if St. Ives is pulled from the shelves–IT IS ONE OF 3 BEAUTY PRODUCTS THAT WORK FOR ME, and should it be pulled, I would be left sorely lacking. Forget these detractors. WHAT ABOUT ME AND EVERYONE ELSE WHO DEPENDS ON THIS PRODUCT FOR BRIGHT, SMOOTH SKIN?!?! Payless is gone; leave me St. Ives.
please add me thank you. i used this product for many years 3 or more times a week. last time i purchased it felt like it had a lot of sand with it. did not have the fresh smooth effect i was used to. still have it in the bathroom.
I used this product one time and now am developing large white patches on one side of my face. Need your help!
The same thing happened to me. White patches that are just slightly raised. Did you ever get help for this?
Have used this for years. Add me to list
you have to wait till we can file claims – as of yet, no information on how
Any updates? I would like to join. This is the only product I used for my face and now my skin is paying the price.
any word yet about how this case is progressing?
Yes hi I was wondering if if anyone knew how to join the class action law suit against st.ives? I actually on Halloween day decided to wash my with st.Ives apricot scrub and I’m still recovering from it .I don’t want to say too much I just need to know how to join because this product isn’t safe .
Any news as to being able to file a claim yet??
almost 60 days later, no reply – is there any news on filing a claim yet?
I also had horrible experience with this product and finally stopped purchasing it!
me too! and now i have roscea. it’s ridiculous. i used this product daily for over a decade!!!
I’ve had a horrible experience with this product as well! I bought it at Christmas and started using it around the new year, my face broke out into a itchy rash, my eyes were swollen and I had no idea what it was from! I’m so upset about the false advertising in this product and I hope everyone else recovers ?