03.20.24
The class action lawsuit against Sephora for misleading customers in its ‘clean’ beauty claims has been dismissed. Judge David Hurd of the U.S. District Court in the Northern District of New York found that the plaintiff, Lindsay Finster lacked substantial evidence of misleading claims about Sephora’s “Clean at Sephora” label.
Finster believed that products with the “Clean at Sephora” seal did not contain and ingredients that were “connected to causing physical harm or irritation” and were free from synthetic ingredients.
During the case, Finster provided a long list of synthetic ingredients found in ‘Clean at Sephora’ cosmetics that she found have been linked to irritation and/or other human harm.
Last year Sephora moved for a dismissal claiming that its marketing was straightforward, and its “Clean at Sephora” cosmetics were not marketed, labeled or sold as “all-natural or free from any harmful ingredients.”
Sephora’s ‘Clean at Sephora’ label clearly stated that products with the label were “formulated without parabens, sulfates SLS and SLES, phthalates, mineral oil, formaldehyde and other identified ingredients.”
Judge Hurd’s ruling explained that Sephora clearly stated specific ingredients that its ‘clean’ products were free from and did not define ‘clean’ as free from all harmful or synthetic ingredients.
The alleged damages including statutory and punitive damages exceeded $5M, according to the complaint.
Colgate-Palmolive also faces a lawsuit against “false, deceptive, misleading and/or unlawful” recyclability claims on its toothpaste packaging.
The History
In November 2022, Finster filed a lawsuit against Sephora claiming the LVMH-owned retailer misled customers with false representations and omissions regarding its ‘clean’ label, violating New York General Business Law sections 349 and 350.Finster believed that products with the “Clean at Sephora” seal did not contain and ingredients that were “connected to causing physical harm or irritation” and were free from synthetic ingredients.
During the case, Finster provided a long list of synthetic ingredients found in ‘Clean at Sephora’ cosmetics that she found have been linked to irritation and/or other human harm.
Last year Sephora moved for a dismissal claiming that its marketing was straightforward, and its “Clean at Sephora” cosmetics were not marketed, labeled or sold as “all-natural or free from any harmful ingredients.”
Sephora’s ‘Clean at Sephora’ label clearly stated that products with the label were “formulated without parabens, sulfates SLS and SLES, phthalates, mineral oil, formaldehyde and other identified ingredients.”
Judge Hurd’s ruling explained that Sephora clearly stated specific ingredients that its ‘clean’ products were free from and did not define ‘clean’ as free from all harmful or synthetic ingredients.
The alleged damages including statutory and punitive damages exceeded $5M, according to the complaint.
Related News
Earlier this year Estee Lauder Companies won a lawsuit that claimed its virtual "try-on" tool with facial-scanning technology violated Illinois’ biometric privacy law.Colgate-Palmolive also faces a lawsuit against “false, deceptive, misleading and/or unlawful” recyclability claims on its toothpaste packaging.
