Class claims Honest Company not so honest about ‘hypoallergenic’ bath products

The plaintiff says that the Honest Company owes her and the other members of her class more than $5 million.(CN) — A federal class action has accused The Honest Company of falsely labeling some of its shampoo and body wash products as “hypoallergenic,” despite containing fragrance allergens.“A reasonable consumer who selects a product labeled ‘hypoallergenic’ does so expecting that, at a minimum, the product does not contain commonly recognized fragrance allergens,” the plaintiff says in the complaint. “As a result of their relianceon Defendant’s misrepresentations, plaintiff and class members have suffered an ascertainable loss of money, including, but not limited to, out-of-pocket costs incurred in purchasing the products or having paid a price premium for the products as compared to other products that do not make the same false and deceptive claims.”The plaintiff, Kenya Winston, a San Francisco resident, says she purchased bottles of shampoo, body wash and conditioning detangler multiple times over the past three years, unaware they contained the known allergens linalool and limonene.The Food and Drug Administration includes linalool and limonene among 26 “substances that cause most allergic reactions from the use of cosmetic products.”At least one study cited in the lawsuit estimates contact dermatitis affects roughly 20% of the U.S. population.Winston is suing the Honest Company for unfair and fraudulent business practices and false advertising. Her complaint does not specify how much she seeks but states, “the amount in controversy exceeds $5,000,000 for the plaintiff and members of the class collectively.”The suit seeks compensatory and punitive damages, as well as statutory penalties.The Honest Company did not respond to an email requesting comment on the lawsuit.Founded by actress Jessica Alba in 2011, the Honest Company launched with 17 products, including eco-friendly, chlorine-free disposable diapers, plant-based baby wipes, gentle baby shampoo and non-toxic cleaning products. It has since grown into a publicly traded company with 174 employees and $371 million in revenue in 2025.Categories / Consumer lawSubscribe to our free newslettersOur weekly newsletter Closing Arguments offers the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world, while the monthly Under the Lights dishes the legal dirt from Hollywood, sports, Big Tech and the arts.Additional Reads