A new lawsuit has been brought forward by nearly 30 plaintiffs against the hair care company Olaplex for using misleading information and negligence when marketing and testing what the company claimed to be restorative hair care products, according to an article published in NPR. Among the litany of allegations cited in the lawsuit, Olaplex is accused of including harmful chemicals in its line of 10 shampoos, conditioners, and oils such as lilial, known to affect fertility; sodium benzoate and ascorbic acid, which combine to form the carcinogen benzene; the allergen panthenol, which can lead to contact dermatitis flares; and non–water-soluble components that clog hair follicles and may lead to seborrheic dermatitis, inflammation, and hair loss. Olaplex was also criticized for continuing to sell products containing lilial after the ingredient was deemed unsafe, failing to publish the results of its efficacy tests, and for concealing whether various celebrity and influencer endorsements were paid for by the company. The plaintiffs revealed that they hope to secure monetary damages and a jury trial through their lawsuit.
May 25, 2023