Harmful ingredients in Pregnancy-Safe, Safe-While-Breastfeeding and Baby-Safe products class action lawsuit investigation

Vitamin A in Topical Skincare: Who’s affected?

If you used specific skincare products during pregnancy, it may have subjected you to dangerous levels of vitamin A. If you used skincare products formulated to combat acne, fine lines, wrinkles, stretch marks, and/or promote youthful skin during pregnancy or while breastfeeding, you may have been subjected to dangerous levels of vitamin A.

Vitamin A is a crucial micronutrient for pregnant women and their developing fetuses, as it plays an essential role in strengthening the immune system and ensuring a fetus’s proper functional development. However, excessive exposure to vitamin A is a major risk factor in developed countries and during the early stages of pregnancy can significantly increase the risk of birth defects in a developing fetus. In 2016, for example, the European Committee on Consumer Safety noted that when taking into account the excessive exposure to vitamin A from food, “any additional source of exposure, including cosmetic products, may exceed . . .  [recommended upper daily limits].”

For many years, the potential risks of using skincare products containing vitamin A derivatives such as retinol or retinyl palmitate, commonly referred to as “topical retinoids,” during pregnancy or while breastfeeding remained underexplored. However, recent studies have shed light on how skincare ingredients like retinol and retinyl can impact fetal development, with evidence linking these ingredients to severe birth defects in unborn babies. Notably, the skin is a retinoid responsive organ that readily absorbs topical retinoids and other vitamin A derivatives. Thus, several authorities have cautioned pregnant and breastfeeding women against using skincare products containing vitamin A derivatives.

Did you use products from any of these brands while pregnant or on your baby?

1. Bio Oil - Skin-Care Oil
2. Hampton Sun – SPF 30 Continuous Mist, Classic Sun SPF 15 Gel
3. Quantum Health – Scar Reducing Herbal Nutrient Cream
4. Bolden USA- Bolden Hydrating Cleanser
5. Bea Skin care- Brightening Cream
6. Ahava- Night Replenisher – Normal To Dry Skin
7. Alpha – Enhanced Wrinkle Repair Cream .15% Retinol
8. IS Clinical – Retinol+ Emulsion 0.3
9. Augustinus Bader – The Retinol Serum

If you or a loved one were exposed to these ingredients or used of the products listed above during pregnancy or while breastfeeding, you may be able to file a legal claim. Such cases can help hold companies accountable for the presence of vitamin A derivatives in products marketed without adequate safety warnings for expectant or breastfeeding mothers.

Phenoxyethanol used in Baby-Safe Products

If you used baby-safe skincare formulations containing phenoxyethanol on your child, your child may have been subjected to an unnecessary chemical reaction risk.  

Phenoxyethanol is a cosmetic preservative that is found in many personal care products. Recently, Phenoxyethanol’s use in baby-safe skincare formulations has raised concerns due to several case reports of cosmetics and ultrasound gels leading to adverse phenoxyethanol-induced skin reactions, ranging from contact urticaria to anaphylaxis. The risk to infants is even greater since an infant’s outermost skin layer is thinner than that of an adult, making infants more susceptible to irritation and inflammation when exposed to chemicals like phenoxyethanol. These findings suggest that cosmetic and personal care products marketed for use by infants and containing phenoxyethanol should have a disclosure of the potential health risks visible for consumers to determine consumption.

Did you use products from any of these brands while pregnant or on your baby?

1. Alaffia – Kids Conditioner & Detangler – Lemon Lavender, Kids Bubble Bath – Lemon Lavender, Kids Shampoo & Body Wash – Lemon Lavender

2. Johnsons J&J – Johnson’s Moisturizing Mild Pink Baby Body Lotion, Coconut Oil for Delicate Skin, Hypoallergenic Johnson’s Moisturizing Bedtime Baby Body Lotion with Coconut Oil & Natural Calm Aromas, Johnson’s CottonTouch Newborn Baby Face & Body Lotion, Hypoallergenic Moisturization for Skin, Johnson’s Bedtime Baby Bath with Soothing Natural Calm Aroma Hypoallergenic, Johnson’s CottonTouch Newborn Baby Body Wash & Shampoo for Sensitive Skin, Johnson’s Bedtime Moisture Wash, Johnson’s Baby Vapor Bath, Soothing Aromas to Relax and Comfort Babies Hypoallergenic

3. Proudly – Softening Shampoo for Coils, Curls & Waves, Ultra-Rich Body Butter for Deep, Lasting Moisture

4. Burt’s Bees – Burt’s Bees Baby Ultra Gentle Lotion

5. Noodle & Boo – Fragrance Free Super Soft Baby Lotion

6. Baby Bum – Baby Bum Mineral SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion

7. Eucerin – Baby Eczema Relief Cream & Body WashIf your child was exposed to phenoxyethanol or if you used one of the products listed above for your child’s skincare needs, you may be able to file a legal claim. Such cases can help hold companies accountable for the presence of phenoxyethanol in products marketed without adequate safety warnings for children.  

Do you qualify?

Did you use baby-safe skincare products on your child? You may be able to seek compensation. Fill out the form for more information.

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