Santa Clara, CA: The makers of St. Ives Apricot Scrub are facing a consumer fraud class action lawsuit that claims the facial cleansing product damages users’ skin.
Filed by Kaylee Browning and Sarah Basile in the U.S. District Court in California against Unilever, the parent company of St. Ives, the suit claims that advertising for the product states it will give people softer skin. However, the plaintiffs claim the product is “unfit” to use. They state in the suit that the scrub contains crushed walnut shells, which make the product completely unsuitable to be used on face.
The complaint cites a 2015 quote in a New York Magazine article by a dermatologist who said: “[l]arge, hard, and sandlike rocks” like those in St. Ives Apricot Scrub are “too abrasive for the face’s thin skin.”
Citing another quote from that same article, the lawsuit contends 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 claim that Unilever has known about these issues, as it advertises the product 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.
Further, the plaintiffs assert that Unilever’s representation that St. Ives Apricot Scrub is “non-comedogenic,” i.e. that it does not tend to clog pores is false, as several of the product’s ingredients are allegedly highly comedogenic.
The named plaintiffs seek 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.
The plaintiffs are represented by attorneys L. Timothy Fisher, Joel D. Smith and Scott A. Bursor of Bursor & Fisher PA.
The 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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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.
Posted by Elizabeth
on
The company stated that this product was going to improve my skin, but it didn't! It made my skin WORSE, causing the melasma to become more profound!!!
Posted by Johanna Mattox
on
I was fooled by the ad that it was a natural scrub and the underlying ingredients were not involved or studied until afterwards of using the product.
Posted by Derek A Trapp
on
dried out my skin bad product
Posted by Denuse Cleveland
on
Brougjt the product and used it once my face broke out in like hived and my hands from putting it on my face was red and felt rare face have red batches .I would like to b part of this lawsiut
Posted by Patricia
on
People waste time complaining about anything!
Right on the package is : "Deeply Exfoilates to
Reveal Smooth Skin" "Dermatologist Tested"
Therefore can nsumers are told upfront about
abrasiveness-nor does it say it's recommended
by Dermatologists. You get what you pay for in
an economical over the counter grocery store
or pharmacy item on nstead of paying big bucks!
It looks like the company hasn't falsely advertised
or done anything deceitful from someone who has
used an exfoliant for several years with varieties I
think it's another bad attempt to harm manufacturers
wrongfully fir profiting. People should find productive
ways to spend their time-I'm highly allergic to brands
with inferior ingredients but never had any adversely
noted results other than what's on the package also!
Posted by A J Ficcardi
on
This product has done harm to my skin. It causes pores to enlarge and skin to flake.
Posted by Brandi Scott
on
I used this product for a couple weeks and now my pores seem bigger and my face is constantly itchy. Since I've stop using it my skin feels like sandpaper. Moisturizer doesn't help. My skin has just been irritated.
Posted by Jack
on
Used many times dried my skin red spots; it wasn't until I went to the doctor and they told me that this product was damage to my face.
Posted by Tami
on
I have never had issues with this product. I believe people are scrubbing way to hard when they use it and yes that will cause a burn look/feel to it. Also you must rinse well to get the grains off as with ANY scrub. This brand/item has been around a long time and no issues, people are just bring sue happy.
Posted by Cynthia Perez
on
I used it and it dried out my skin
Posted by Ruby
on
It DID NOT taste like apricots!
Posted by Sarom Toum
on
I used the apricot scrub on my face and it made my face sore. It was my first time trying this product.
Posted by Rhonda L. Bonnell
on
I used this to try and exfoliate my face. It made my face turn bright red and very sore to the touch. It felt like a sunburn. A few days later, it even flaked and peeled in places around and on my nose. I followed the instructions on the tube.
Posted by Raymond
on
My skin produces inflammed spots and doesn't heal the way it did before using the product. Red marks/post hyperpigmentation is caused and I'm left with permanent pink skin where spots once were. My pores are noticeably bigger and inconsistent. I used this produce as I believed it was 100% natural; however, I have recently learnt this is not the case.
Posted by JoAnne Paulo
on
I too used this product and after using it, my skin was raw and was swollen for 2 days. Which made me miss work. Till this day I have scars.
Posted by Alana
on
Product has damaged my skin making me breakout severely as well as make my skin incredibly dry giving me very bad irritation and making it very sensitive.
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