EltaMD transparent zinc oxide sunscreens come from the Colgate-Palmolive Company and CP Skin Health Group, Inc. But the complaint for this class action allege that these products are advertised in a way that leads consumers to think that the only active ingredient in them is zinc oxide, a mineral ingredient, when in reality, they also contain chemical ingredients that may not be as desirable.
Three classes and a subclass have been proposed for this action:
- The Nationwide Class is all US residents who bought any of the products during the applicable statute of limitation.
- The California and New York Classes are all residents of those respective states who bought any of the products during the applicable statute of limitations.
- The California Consumer Subclass is all residents of California who bought any of the products for personal, family, or household use during the applicable statute of limitations.
The products at issue include the following:
- EltaMD UV Daily Broad-Spectrum SPF 40 Transparent Zinc Oxide
- EltaMD UV Daily Broad-Spectrum SPF 40 Transparent Zinc Oxide, Tinted
- EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 Transparent Zinc Oxide
- EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 Transparent Zinc Oxide, Tinted
- EltaMD UV Sport Broad-Spectrum SPF 50 Transparent Zinc Oxide
- EltaMD UV Sheer Broad-Spectrum SPF 50+ Transparent Zinc Oxide
- EltaMD UV Lotion Broad-Spectrum SPF 30+ Transparent Zinc Oxide
- EltaMD UV Facial Broad-Spectrum SPF 30+ Transparent Zinc Oxide
- EltaMD UV Lip Balm Broad-Spectrum SPF 36 Transparent Zinc Oxide
Page 6 of the complaint shows an image of the front of the bottle of one of the products, which bears the words “Transparent Zinc Oxide.” The front label does not mention any other ingredient of the sunscreen. In fact, the complaint alleges, the sunscreens are advertised on some online retail platforms as being “Mineral-Based.”
But the complaint alleges that a large proportion of the above EltaMD products’ active ingredients are chemical ingredients, such as octinoxate, octisalate, and octocrylene, which the complaint claims “have a well-documented record of being harmful to the skin and the environment. Indeed, nearly half of the [products at issue] contain a higher concentration of chemical sunscreen ingredients than zinc oxide.”
“For example,” the complaint alleges, “the EltaMD UV Sport Broad-Spectrum SPF 50 Transparent Zinc Oxide sunscreen contains a combined 12.5% octinoxate and octisalate versus only 9% zinc oxide.” A table on page 8 of the complaint shows the concentrations in the products of chemical active ingredients versus the concentrations of zinc oxide.
Many consumers now prefer mineral-based sunscreens, the complaint alleges, “due to the negative health and environmental consequences associated with chemical sunscreens.” Chemical sunscreens can irritate the skin, and may be associated with hormonal disruption and the production of free radicals. Also, some chemicals found in sunscreens may be harmful to the environment.
The complaint alleges, “The consequences of chemical sunscreen ingredients have become so dire that Hawaii has chosen to ban octinoxate in sunscreen products sold in Hawaii.”
Article Type: LawsuitTopic: Consumer
Most Recent Case Event
Chemicals in EltaMD Transparent Zinc Oxide Sunscreens Complaint
December 2, 2022
EltaMD transparent zinc oxide sunscreens come from the Colgate-Palmolive Company and CP Skin Health Group, Inc. But the complaint for this class action allege that these products are advertised in a way that leads consumers to think that the only active ingredient in them is zinc oxide, a mineral ingredient, when in reality, they also contain chemical ingredients that may not be as desirable.
Chemicals in EltaMD Transparent Zinc Oxide Sunscreens ComplaintCase Event History
Chemicals in EltaMD Transparent Zinc Oxide Sunscreens Complaint
December 2, 2022
EltaMD transparent zinc oxide sunscreens come from the Colgate-Palmolive Company and CP Skin Health Group, Inc. But the complaint for this class action allege that these products are advertised in a way that leads consumers to think that the only active ingredient in them is zinc oxide, a mineral ingredient, when in reality, they also contain chemical ingredients that may not be as desirable.
Chemicals in EltaMD Transparent Zinc Oxide Sunscreens Complaint