Honest Company Lawsuit Alleges ‘Hypoallergenic’ Baby Shampoo, Detangler Contain Fragrance Allergens Linalool, Limonene

A proposed class action lawsuit alleges that The Honest Company, Inc. has falsely advertised and mislabeled several varieties of its Honest Conditioning Detangler and Honest Shampoo + Body Wash as “hypoallergenic” even though the products contain the fragrance allergens linalool and/or limonene.

The 38-page lawsuit against The Honest Company says that the linalool and/or limonene in the Honest Conditioning Detangler and Honest Shampoo + Body Wash varieties at issue are identified by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Union (EU) as among the 26 fragrance allergens known to “cause most allergic reactions from the use of cosmetic products.”

The filing stresses that the term “hypoallergenic” conveys to a reasonable consumer that a product is specifically formulated to “reduce the likelihood of allergic reactions,” namely by avoiding known contact allergens. The lawsuit accuses The Honest Company of having seized the opportunity to label and promote the detangler and shampoo/body wash items as hypoallergenic amid an exploding market for natural, clean personal care products.

“Reasonable consumers do not possess the scientific knowledge necessary to discern the presence of fragrance allergens,” the complaint reads. “Reasonable consumers must and do rely on manufacturers to honestly represent the qualities of their Products and ingredients.”

The Honest Company lawsuit contends that consumers have been deceived by the defendant’s “false and misleading” hypoallergenic claims and, as a result, lost money by paying a price premium for misrepresented products.

Linalool, limonene are established contact allergens, class action lawsuit stresses

According to the complaint, linalool is a terpene alcohol and one of the most widely used fragrance ingredients in personal care and cosmetic products. Per the case, linalool is a clinically established contact allergen known to provoke contact dermatitis, particularly with prolonged or repeated exposure.

The filing states that the potential for an allergic reaction to linalool increases with exposure to air, given that, as the ingredient oxidizes, it forms “hydroperoxides that are potent skin sensitizers.”

Limonene, the case continues, is a principal constituent of citrus peel oils, including the orange peel oil present in the Honest Company’s Conditioning Detangler, Refresh (Citrus Vanilla) variety. Like linalool, limonene is an established contact allergen that oxidizes when exposed to air, forming potent skin sensitizers, the suit says.

The suit highlights that the leave-in Honest Company Conditioning Detangler products are dispensed as a spray, meaning the linalool or limonene therein is exposed to air and remains in the hair and on the skin after application.

Similarly, the Honest Company Shampoo + Body Wash items are lathered directly onto the scalp and skin, including, as product labels direct, “baby’s damp skin and hair,” the lawsuit says.

Additionally, both linalool and limonene are defined as fragrance allergens by the California Department of Public Health and, as such, are required to be reported due to the hazard they may pose to individuals with fragrance allergies, per the filing.

The Honest Company reported fragrance allergens to California regulator, complaint says

According to the lawsuit, the California Cosmetic Fragrance and Flavor Ingredient Right to Know Act requires manufacturers to report the presence of fragrance allergens in their products to the California Department of Public Health when they are above certain thresholds that are likely to produce allergic reactions in already-sensitized consumers.

The lawsuit says The Honest Company reported the presence of linalool, linalyl acetate, vanillin, beta-myrcene and lavender oil, each of which was noted to have a “Fragrance” function, in its Honest Company Conditioning Detangler, Calm (Lavender) product.

The company also reported d-limonene, vanillin and orange peel oil—fragrance ingredients—in its Honest Company Conditioning Detangler, Refresh (Citrus Vanilla) product, the case adds.

Per the lawsuit, the Sweet Cream Shampoo + Body Wash product was reported to contain linalool, limonene, coumarin, citral, geraniol, benzaldehyde, vanillin and lemon peel oil.

The Lavender Shampoo + Body Wash product was reported to contain linalool, linalyl acetate, vanillin, beta-myrcene and lavender oil, the case states.

The Honest Company also noted that each product was intended for use on babies, children and the general population, according to the suit.

The class action lawsuit charges that the reporting of fragrance allergens in the Honest Company products at issue, regardless of their function, renders the company’s hypoallergenic label claims false and misleading.

The case goes on to mention that The Honest Company also sells “Sensitive (Fragrance Free)” versions of its Conditioning Detangler and Shampoo + Body Wash products that do not contain fragrance ingredients, including linalool and limonene. Thus, the company knows how to formulate products without fragrance allergens yet still labels the products at issue as “Hypoallergenic,” the filing asserts.

Which Honest Company products are named in the class action lawsuit?

The Honest Company products named in the proposed class action lawsuit include:

• The Honest Company Conditioning Detangler, Calm (Lavender);
• The Honest Company Conditioning Detangler, Refresh (Citrus Vanilla);
• The Honest Company Shampoo + Body Wash, Comfort (Sweet Cream); and
• The Honest Company Shampoo + Body Wash, Calm (Lavender).

Who’s eligible for the Honest Company “hypoallergenic” lawsuit?

The Honest Company class action lawsuit looks to cover all individuals who bought any of the above-listed Honest Company Conditioning Detangler and/or Honest Company Shampoo + Body Wash products in the United States during the applicable statute of limitations period.

How do I get involved in the Honest Company lawsuit?

Typically, there’s nothing you need to do to join or sign up for a class action lawsuit when it is initially filed. Should the case be resolved with a class action settlement, class members—i.e., the people covered by the litigation—may be notified by mail or email with instructions on what to do next and details on their legal rights.

If you’ve bought any of the Honest Company products listed on this page, or just want to stay informed on class action lawsuit and class action settlement news, sign up for ClassAction.org’s free weekly newsletter.

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