Rodan + Fields Slammed With Class Action Lawsuit Over Eyelash Serum Deception

On April 13th, 2018, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Rodan + Fields, a multi-level marketing company that sells a variety of skincare creams and ointments. The document alleges that the company engaged in

“…deceptive and unlawful marketing of its Enhancements Lash Boost (“Lash Boost”) eye serum. Rodan + Fields failed to disclose the harmful effects linked to an ingredient in their Lash Boost product.”

The ingredient causing the trouble is isopropyl cloprostenate, a “synthetic analog” which is commonly used to treat glaucoma. While this chemical is important and effective in treating glaucoma, it also has side effects of:

Iris cysts, cystoid macular edema (which may cause vision loss and distortion)
Anterior uveitis (inflammation of the iris or ciliary body)
Reactivation of herpes simplex keratitis
Shrinking of fat cells around the eye resulting in eye drooping
Increased prominence of blood vessels
Darkening of eyelid skin and undereye skin
Increased pigmentation of iris
Excessive tearing, eye pain, or lid crusting

The FDA previously warned another company that this chemical was not safe for use except under the supervision of a practioner licensed by law to administer them. Isopropyl cloprostenate is also classified as Category C which means that women of childbearing age are considered at-risk for injury, something Rodan + Fields did not disclose to its customers.

While many other countries like Canada ban this chemical from cosmetic products, Rodan + Fields leveraged the United State’s more relaxed regulations and by classifying it as a cosmetic, were able to skirt the FDA and therefore were not forced to disclose all of the ingredients in their products.

Rodan + Fields generated over $1.5 billion in sales in 2017 with Lash Boost accounting for nearly $200 million of that revenue. The class action lawsuit is seeking $5,000,000 in damages.

We’ll keep you update as the lawsuit progresses in federal court.

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