Dermatologists List Health Reasons Behind EOS Lip Balm Suit

The class action suit filed against EOS Lip Balm makers is not dying down. In fact, it is building momentum, as more users come forward. Attorney Mark Geragos has started this suit and is taking additional plaintiffs. Many people have gotten rashes, hives, and blisters, and explanations for what has caused this are now available from dermatologists.

According to The Inquisitr, many celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Britney Spears, and Katie Perry are promoting EOS Lip Balm and have been doing product placement for them. It’s inexpensive, cute, and colorful, but what is it that is causing all of the problems? It seems that allergic reactions are a big issue, as well as the lack of full disclosure of ingredients on the packaging. Mark Geragos is seeking damages and corrected labeling to settle the suit for each of the plaintiffs.

Huffington Post is listing the health reasons that are causing all the issues with the EOS Lip Balm. The filing gave a list of the grievances.

“A new class action lawsuit filed Tuesday in California claims a ‘substantial number of consumers’ have experienced adverse reactions to the product, including ‘rashes, dryness, bleeding, blistering, cracking, and loss of pigmentation, lasting from a few days, to a few months, [leaving] some consumers with long lasting and perhaps permanent symptoms.'”

Dr. Marie Jhin, a dermatologist in San Francisco, told The Huffington Post that Cronan’s photos look like allergic contact dermatitis and may be in response to Vitamin E, which is listed as tocopherol in EOS’s lip balm ingredients and can cause irritation in people who are allergic.

“The main things to avoid,” she said of lip balm purchases, “are things with perfumes and fragrance, vitamin E, as well as beeswax.”

Beeswax is a major allergen, and those with sensitivity need to know when it is in a product. Companies like Burt’s Bees for example, are obviously very upfront about it, and for that reason, have been able to avoid a major suit.

Dr. Lauren Ploch, a New Orleans dermatologist, explains that people with allergies shouldn’t be confused into thinking that because a product is “natural” it can’t cause allergies. Milk is natural, and dairy and lactose are a major allergen. Common sense also needs to be used.

“Just like we can be allergic to natural fruits and plants,” she said, “we can be allergic to their oils when they are applied topically.”

And EOS has been proactive in addressing the suit for fans of their products.

“The health and well-being of our customers is our top priority and millions of satisfied customers use our products every day, many of whom take the time to share their experiences with us,” EOS spokesperson Nancy Chan told The Huffington Post.

US News and World Report says that EOS has come out to say the suit is totally without merit.

“We firmly believe this lawsuit is without merit. Our products are made with the highest quality ingredients and meet or exceed all safety and quality standards set out by our industry and validated by rigorous testing conducted by an independent lab. The health and well-being of our customers is our top priority and millions of satisfied customers use our products every day, many of whom take the time to share their experiences with us.”

But what should people with chapped lips and allergies use? Petroleum jelly or Aquaphor, which is petroleum jelly and water. This, and some hydrocortisone like Cortaid can help to calm a rash pronto.

Have you had any issues with EOS Lip Balm?

[Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images]