St Ives Apricot Scrub Lawsuit
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento products liability attorney. The trending skincare product today is the apricot facial scrub by St. Ives. Many consumers stand by the product for its proposed benefits to its users. However, many contest the benefits of the product and present the long-term, harmful side effects due to the main ingredient in the product.
Two Women Sue St. Ives Company
Two women have taken a step against one of the most popular skincare industries in the world. These two women have claimed that the trending apricot scrub by St. Ives proposes more detriments to its users than benefits overall. The lawsuit, which was filed on December 16, 2016, in the United States District Court, has been brought by these two plaintiffs who are alleging the product is not fit to be sold, worthless and may lead to long-term skin damage.
Long-Term Damage from using this Product?
The alleged long-term damage to the skin originates from the product’s core ingredient consisting of crushed walnut shells. The St. Ives website claims that the walnut shell powder in the product is a “100% natural exfoliant” that leaves the skin feeling “super soft and smooth.” On the contrary, the two women that brought the lawsuit against the company claim that the walnut shells in the product have “jagged edges” which contributes to the cause of micro-tears in the skin that can lead its users to the susceptibility of infection, inflammation and sun damage.
St. Ives Apricot Scrub Ingredients
An article published by the New York Magazine in 2015 quoted one dermatologist about their opinion of the St. Ives Apricot Scrub comparing its use comparable to that of “using sandpaper on your face.” The dermatologist pointed out that this scrub can accelerate the aging process due to the product’s side effects of inflammation and irritation to the skin. Facial scrubs such as this one are popular on the market because they are sold at a low cost to consumers. However, the consumers may face the higher costs years or even decades later when the aging repercussions became apparent on their facial structure.
Product Concerns?
According to the Skin Deep Cosmetics Database by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), the St. Ives Apricot Scrub received a 6 out of 10 for ingredients of concern. Although many skincare products today use fragrance to mask the odors emitted by other ingredients in the product, this apricot scrub received an 8 out of 10 for its use of fragrance. Other ingredients in the scrub impose concerns of allergies/immunotoxicity in addition to contamination, ecotoxicology, and irritation. These concerns caused by the ingredients in the product can create premature aging of the skin along with the crushed walnut shells in the product.
Company Comment on Pending Litigation
The company has not commented on the pending litigation due to their general practices. The company stated that consumers have trusted and loved the St. Ives brand for over 30 years for skin care. The company is proud to be considered as the top facial scrub in America and they stand by its formula that has been time-tested by dermatologists.
Dermatologist Tested vs. Dermatologist Approved
There is controversy regarding “Dermatologist Tested” and “Dermatologist Approved.” Both of the terms seem to indicate the underlying sense that a dermatologist, a doctor that specializes in the treatment of the skin, nails and hair, has conducted studies on the product through testing or approval. Presently, both of the terms are used loosely by the skincare industry. The general idea behind these two terms is to suggest that the product has been tested or approved by a dermatologist. Currently there is no refutable source that specifies that it is clinically proven to provide its users with the skincare benefits it offers. According to Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD, it is best to consult with a dermatologist to be certain that you are using the best products for the treatment of your skin type.
Products Liability
Products liability is a a branch of personal injury law that concentrates on the repercussions caused by defective or dangerous products. The use or exposure to a defective or dangerous products can result in traumatic injuries and even a wrongful death. For more information, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer.
Sacramento Products Liability & Personal Injury Lawyers
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento products liability attorney. If you or someone you love has suffered injuries caused by the use or exposure of a defective or dangerous product, please contact me at (916) 921-6400 or toll-free at (800) 404-5400 for free and friendly advice.
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I am a member in the California chapter of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. This forum is a group of lawyers who have settled multi-million dollar case settlements and verdicts.
Feel free to read through my Past Verdicts and Settlements page.
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