Recalls & Lawsuits
Recalls, Lawsuits & FDA Actions
A sourced, running record of the safety problems behind personal-care and cosmetic products — benzene recalls, talc and asbestos lawsuits, contamination recalls, and FDA actions. We only list genuine recalls, regulatory actions, and substantive litigation, with the source for each — not marketing disputes or unproven claims. There are 20 active and 38 resolved entries on file.
Active — 18 products
Open Recalls, Lawsuits & Actions
$3.625M benzene settlement — preliminary approval denied
A proposed $3,625,000 settlement over benzene in the recalled dry shampoos was NOT approved — a federal judge in Connecticut denied preliminary approval on Feb 17, 2026 citing an over-broad class, and sent it back to negotiation. Not resolved.
ACCC "reef friendly" greenwashing case
On July 1, 2025 Australia's ACCC instituted Federal Court proceedings against Edgewell alleging the "reef friendly" claim is misleading because the sunscreens contained one or more of octocrylene, homosalate, 4-MBC (enzacamene), and avobenzone. Active.
Rejected bankruptcy settlement
A Texas court rejected J&J's ~$8–10B subsidiary-bankruptcy plan in March 2025 — its third failed attempt. Ongoing.
Lead & arsenic class action (kids toothpaste)
A Feb 2025 class action alleges Tom's of Maine Kid's Silly Strawberry toothpaste is contaminated with lead and arsenic (lead ~48× a proposed limit) and that this was not disclosed. Active.
Lead class action (kids toothpaste)
Oct 2025 class actions allege independent testing found lead of ~236–658 ppb across hello Kids toothpaste varieties (over 6× the FDA children's-candy limit) while marketed as natural/safe. Active; Colgate disputes.
Consumer Reports "do not consume" + lead class action (Vegan Mass Gainer)
In Consumer Reports' October 2025 test, Naked Nutrition's Vegan Mass Gainer (Vanilla) had the highest lead of any of the 23 products tested (~1,572% of CR's level of concern) — CR said do not consume it — and an active class action followed over that specific product. It concerns the Vegan Mass Gainer, not Naked's single-ingredient whey and pea powders (Naked Whey is Informed Choice certified). Naked disputes CR's benchmark as stricter than FDA limits.
California Prop 65 lead finding across ~10 products (settled)
In September 2024 the Environmental Research Center filed a California Prop 65 notice alleging lead in about ten Just Ingredients products (protein powders and pre-workouts), corroborated by independent testing. The company settled for $70,000 in October 2025 and added Prop 65 warnings. The legal matter is resolved, but because the finding spanned much of the line and sits squarely on our heavy-metal axis, we flag it rather than badge it clean.
Consumer Reports "do not consume" — lead + cadmium
In Consumer Reports' October 2025 test of 23 protein powders, Huel Black Edition (Chocolate) was one of only two products CR said to avoid entirely: lead at ~1,288% of CR's daily level of concern and cadmium (~9.2 mcg) at roughly twice the safe daily limit. (CR's "level of concern" is stricter than FDA limits; Huel disputes the benchmark.)
Consumer Reports lead finding (organic plant protein)
In Consumer Reports' October 2025 test, Garden of Life Sport Organic Plant-Based (Vanilla) measured ~564% of CR's daily lead level of concern; CR advised limiting it to once a week. (CR's "level of concern" is stricter than FDA limits.)
Consumer Reports arsenic finding (Serious Mass)
In Consumer Reports' October 2025 test, Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass showed inorganic arsenic at roughly 200% of the safe daily limit (CR advised limiting it to a few servings a week). Note: CR rated ON's Gold Standard 100% Whey among the safer products tested.
Benzoyl-peroxide benzene class actions
Class actions allege BPO products can degrade into benzene without warning. Ongoing.
Valisure benzene petition (very high reading)
Valisure's 2024 FDA petition reported ~308 ppm benzene in a Clearasil 10% BPO cream under its OWN accelerated high-temperature testing (the FDA limit is 2 ppm) — not an FDA-confirmed or normal-use level. Clearasil was NOT among the FDA's March 2025 recalls. Ongoing concern/litigation.
Benzoyl-peroxide benzene class actions
Clearasil is named in class actions alleging BPO products can form benzene without warning. Ongoing.
Hair-relaxer cancer litigation (MDL 3060)
Federal multidistrict litigation consolidating thousands of claims that long-term relaxer use caused uterine, endometrial, and ovarian cancers; L'Oréal/SoftSheen-Carson is a named defendant. Active, in discovery.
Hair-relaxer cancer litigation (MDL 3060)
Revlon (Creme of Nature) is a named defendant in the consolidated hair-relaxer cancer MDL alleging relaxer chemicals caused uterine/ovarian cancer. Active.
Independent lab flagged detectable organic fluorine (a PFAS indicator)
In a 2022 Mamavation investigation (samples run by an EPA-certified lab; reported by Environmental Health News), Organyc Complete Protection tampons showed detectable organic fluorine — a screening indicator of possible PFAS “forever chemicals,” not a confirmation of specific PFAS compounds. No recall or regulatory action followed, and the brand has not published a rebuttal test. For comparison, some organic-cotton peers (e.g. Natracare) tested non-detect in the same round.
Independent lab flagged detectable organic fluorine (a PFAS indicator)
In the same 2022 Mamavation investigation (EPA-certified lab; reported by Environmental Health News), Maxim Hygiene Organic Cotton Cardboard Applicator tampons showed detectable organic fluorine — a screening indicator of possible PFAS, not a confirmation of specific PFAS compounds. No recall or regulatory action followed, and no rebuttal test has been published. Some organic-cotton peers tested non-detect in the same round.
Benzene sunscreen class actions
The recall triggered consumer class-action and personal-injury suits over undisclosed benzene; litigation is ongoing.
Benzene sunscreen class actions
Ongoing consumer litigation over undisclosed benzene in the recalled sprays.
Talc–asbestos ovarian-cancer & mesothelioma litigation
Tens of thousands of claimants allege asbestos-contaminated talc caused cancer; a $1.5B jury verdict landed in Dec 2025. Ongoing.
Resolved, Historical & Dismissed
Closed, Historical or Dismissed
Voluntary recall — solvent contamination
HiBAR voluntarily recalled specific lots (Feb 2025) after monoglyme (1,2-dimethoxyethane) was found above the allowable limit; refunds were offered.
FDA warning letter — sunscreen dosage form
FDA ref. 688286 (Mar 2025) concerned marketing a UV-protection shampoo / body wash as a sunscreen (an unapproved dosage form) — not the mineral lotions and sticks reviewed here.
FDA benzoyl-peroxide benzene recall
Two Proactiv BPO products were among six voluntarily recalled at retail in March 2025 after FDA testing found elevated benzene. Resolved.
FDA benzoyl-peroxide benzene recall
One of six BPO products voluntarily recalled at retail in March 2025 (lot MYX46W) after FDA testing found elevated benzene. Resolved.
FDA benzoyl-peroxide benzene recall
SLMD's BPO lotion (lot 2430600) was among six products voluntarily recalled at retail in March 2025 after FDA testing found elevated benzene. Resolved.
Voluntary recall — mold in a makeup SKU
FDA voluntary recall of 9 lots of Impeccable Skin Sunscreen Foundation for Aspergillus mold. Does not affect the mineral sunscreens reviewed here.
Benzene class-action settlement (~$2M)
A roughly $2 million settlement resolving benzene claims over the recalled Suave aerosols received court approval. Resolved.
Native "72-hour odor protection" false-advertising suit — dismissed
Hernandez v. Zenlen (the Native brand entity, S.D.N.Y.), filed June 2024, was dismissed on April 9, 2025. Dismissed: the court held a reasonable consumer would not read "72-hour odor protection" as a promise of being completely odor-free for three full days, and no facts supported the claim it was never tested.
PFAS false-advertising settlement (~$1.4M)
Knix settled a class action alleging its period/leakproof underwear contained PFAS "forever chemicals" despite clean marketing, for roughly $1.4M. Knix denied wrongdoing.
FDA cGMP warning letter
FDA ref. 654879 (Oct 2023) cited manufacturing (cGMP) issues and an unapproved-drug claim on a balm — a manufacturing-compliance matter, not a sunscreen recall.
$8M benzene aerosol settlement (P&G, MDL 3025)
The consumer class actions over benzene in P&G aerosols (Secret, Old Spice, Pantene, Aussie, Herbal Essences) were consolidated as MDL 3025 and settled for $8 million; final approval was granted June 16, 2023.
$8M benzene aerosol settlement (P&G, MDL 3025)
The benzene class actions over P&G aerosols — including the recalled Pantene, Aussie, and Herbal Essences dry shampoos — were consolidated as MDL 3025 and settled for $8 million; final approval was granted June 16, 2023.
PFAS class-action settlement (Dickens v. Thinx)
After independent testing (Sierra Club / Dr. Graham Peaslee, 2020) detected PFAS "forever chemicals" in Thinx period underwear despite its non-toxic marketing, a class action (Dickens v. Thinx) settled in 2023 for up to ~$5M. Thinx denied wrongdoing and agreed to take measures to ensure PFAS are not intentionally added to its products.
FDA cGMP warning letter (sunscreen manufacturing)
The FDA cited good-manufacturing-practice issues for Badger’s OTC sunscreens. Addressed; historical.
Disputed SPF test (line withdrawn, then relaunched)
UK consumer group Which? reported a Skin Shade SPF30 failed its SPF test; Tropic disputed it (independent retests passed) but withdrew the line as a precaution before relaunching.
Finster v. Sephora — “Clean at Sephora” false-advertising suit (dismissed)
A class action against Sephora over its “Clean at Sephora” seal cited Saie’s Mascara 101 as an example of a product containing synthetic ingredients. It was dismissed on March 15, 2024. Saie itself was NOT a defendant — Sephora was; Saie was named only as an example. Dismissed: the court held that no reasonable consumer would read the “Clean at Sephora” seal as a promise that a product is free of all synthetic ingredients — only that it omits a specific listed set.
Banana Boat Hair & Scalp benzene recall
Edgewell recalled several lots in July 2022 (a fourth added Jan 2023) after benzene from the spray propellant was found.
HRB Brands benzene aerosol recall
February 2022 nationwide recall of six Sure and Brut aerosol sprays after benzene was detected in the propellant. Resolved.
Suave aerosol benzene recall
March 30, 2022 nationwide recall after elevated benzene was found in the propellant. Resolved.
Unilever dry shampoo benzene recall
October 2022 recall of aerosol dry shampoos across Dove, Nexxus, Suave, TRESemmé, and Bed Head after benzene was traced to the propellant. Resolved.
PFAS mascara class actions — dismissed (Davenport v. L'Oréal; Hicks v. L'Oréal)
Class actions alleging L'Oréal/Maybelline waterproof mascaras contained undisclosed PFAS were dismissed: Davenport (filed Feb 2022) was voluntarily dismissed in April 2022, and Hicks v. L'Oréal U.S.A. (S.D.N.Y.) was dismissed on Sept 30, 2023. Dismissed: the courts found the plaintiffs lacked standing — the organic-fluorine testing did not establish that the specific mascaras they bought contained PFAS.
CoverGirl PFAS class actions — dismissed (Brown v. Coty; Solis v. Coty)
Suits alleging CoverGirl waterproof mascara (Brown v. Coty, S.D.N.Y.) and TruBlend pressed powder (Solis v. Coty, S.D. Cal.) contained undisclosed PFAS were dismissed — the powder case in March 2023 and the mascara case on March 1, 2024. Dismissed: the courts found the plaintiffs lacked standing — the fluorine study did not establish that the specific products they bought contained PFAS.
Voluntary recall — microbial contamination (a serum SKU)
One batch of the Quandong Green Booster Serum was recalled in Australia and rejected at the EU border (Safety Gate/RAPEX) for bacterial and yeast contamination above the ISO limit. A single-batch skincare recall — does not affect the makeup reviewed here. Long resolved.
2021 benzene aerosol recall
On July 14, 2021 Johnson & Johnson voluntarily recalled all lots of five Neutrogena/Aveeno aerosol sunscreens — including Beach Defense — after benzene was detected in finished product.
2021 benzene aerosol recall
Recalled July 14, 2021 among five J&J aerosol sunscreens after benzene was detected in finished product.
Coppertone baby-sunscreen benzene recall
Specific lots of Pure & Simple Baby SPF 50 aerosol were recalled Sept 30, 2021 after benzene from the propellant was detected. Resolved.
P&G benzene aerosol antiperspirant recall
November 2021 nationwide recall of Old Spice and Secret aerosol antiperspirants after benzene was detected; independent testing found up to ~17.7 ppm (limit 2 ppm). Resolved.
P&G dry shampoo benzene recall
December 2021 recall of ~32 aerosol dry shampoos and conditioners across Pantene, Aussie, Herbal Essences, and Waterl<ss after benzene was detected. Resolved.
North American withdrawal, then global discontinuation
J&J stopped selling talc-based baby powder in the US and Canada in 2020 and globally in 2023, switching to cornstarch.
FDA-confirmed asbestos in talc cosmetics
March 2019: FDA testing confirmed tremolite asbestos and issued a safety alert for three Claire's talc products; Claire's pulled them and other talc cosmetics. Resolved.
FDA-confirmed asbestos in five products
May–Sept 2019: FDA testing confirmed asbestos in Contour Effects Palette 2 and four City Color products; all recalled. Resolved.
Triclosan removed after safety concerns
Colgate reformulated Colgate Total to remove triclosan (relaunched Jan 2019 with stannous fluoride) amid endocrine, thyroid, and antibiotic-resistance concerns. Historical/resolved.
Health Canada recall — microbial contamination
Health Canada recalled a facial polish / clay product (via parent Plant Devas) for microbial contamination. Historical; resolved.
FDA warning letter — drug claims
FDA ref. 519062 (Jun 2017) cited drug claims on products marketed as cosmetics; closed out Sept 2017. A labeling/claims matter, not an ingredient-safety finding.
FDA warning letter — drug claims
FDA ref. 522934 cited unapproved-drug marketing claims on products sold as cosmetics. A labeling/claims matter, not an ingredient-safety finding.
Asbestos + heavy metals in tween shimmer powder
July 2017: lab testing found tremolite asbestos plus barium, chromium, lead, and selenium in Justice's Just Shine Shimmer Powder; ~8 products recalled. Resolved.
FDA warning letter — drug claims
FDA ref. 495979 cited unapproved-drug claims on serums/eye cream; the FDA closed it out in 2020. A labeling/claims matter, not an ingredient-safety finding.
Voluntary recall — microbial contamination
Badger voluntarily recalled specific Baby & Kids SPF 30 lots after finding microbial contamination. Long resolved.