Two women have launched a class action lawsuit against Unilever, alleging that the FMCG giant has engaged in false advertising, deceived the consumer, violated warranty laws, committed fraud and unjustly enriched itself in relation to its popular St. Ives facial scrub.
Kaylee Browning and Sarah Basile claim that the popular Apricot Scrub leads to long-term skin damage thanks to its key ingredient, crushed walnut shells. The duo have cited evidence reported in New York Magazine, which claims that scrubs cause micro-tears in the skin and therefore accelerate the aging process.
“As a general practice, we do not comment on pending litigation,” Unilever said in a statement to BuzzFeed News. “We can say that for over 30 years consumers have loved and trusted the St. Ives brand to refresh and revitalize their skin. We are proud to be America’s top facial scrub brand and stand by our dermatologist tested formula.”