Wet Ones ‘Hypoallergenic’ Hand Wipes Contain Skin-Irritating Fragrances, Class Action Suit Alleges

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A proposed class action lawsuit alleges that Wet Ones Antibacterial Hand Wipes are mislabeled and falsely marketed, given that the purportedly hypoallergenic products contain skin-irritating fragrance allergens that are not properly disclosed to consumers.

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The 30-page false advertising lawsuit contends that the Wet Ones Hand Wipes at issue, despite being advertised as hypoallergenic, contain two fragrant chemical compounds— which are referred to simply as “fragrance” on product labels— that are known skin irritants. The case contends that consumers have no way to know whether the hand wipes contain hidden allergens and must rely on the manufacturer’s label representations to honestly convey the makeup of a product.

Per the complaint, consumers increasingly seek hypoallergenic products as skin sensitivities become more common, and the inclusion of the word “hypoallergenic” on a product label relays that the item contains a reduced number of irritation-causing ingredients.

Though there are no formal definitions or regulations that a product must follow in order to be considered hypoallergenic, the case reiterates that agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration have recognized the term as synonymous with items that are designed to produce fewer allergic reactions than regular products. This includes the avoidance of some “hidden allergens” within the dyes, preservatives and fragrances of many cosmetics and personal care products, the suit specifies.

According to the complaint, there are 26 common fragrance allergens identified by the FDA as having an increased risk of skin irritation and allergic contact dermatitis, including two chemical compounds known as d-Limonene and Linalool.

The plaintiff, a California resident, purchased Wet Ones wipes repeatedly over the course of several years based on the hypoallergenic claim and, in September 2025, commissioned an independent laboratory to test multiple retail lots of the product for known skin allergens, the filing states. This testing allegedly revealed the presence of d-Limonene and Linalool in the product, which are not disclosed on the Wet Wipes packaging or ingredient list.

“[S]ince manufacturers need only list ‘fragrances’ generically on a product label, without further revealing the sub constituents of such fragrances, consumers have no way of knowing whether a product also contains hidden allergens,” the case states. “Rather, they must rely exclusively on a manufacturer’s label representations (i.e., hypoallergenic).”

By promoting its hand wipes as hypoallergenic, the complaint argues, Edgewell Personal Care Brands was able to charge a premium for the wipes and increase sales without fully disclosing the alleged skin irritants to consumers.  

The Wet Ones hypoallergenic hand wipes class action lawsuit looks to cover all consumers who purchased any of the products at issue—Wet Ones Wipes in the Fresh Scent, Eucalyptus & Mint and Tropical Splash varieties—in states with express warranty laws, including California, during the maximum time allowed by law.

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