Migliaccio & Rathod LLP is investigating whether Etude sold waterproof cosmetic products containing PFAS (“forever chemicals”) while promoting those products as clean, gentle, or otherwise suitable for everyday cosmetic use.
PFAS are synthetic chemicals frequently used to improve water resistance and durability in cosmetics. These chemicals have become the focus of growing regulatory attention because they remain in the environment for long periods and may accumulate in people through repeated exposure. FDA reporting and independent scientific studies have identified PFAS in numerous cosmetic products despite increasing restrictions adopted by several states.
Consumers purchasing Etude waterproof cosmetics may not have expected products marketed as gentle or clean to contain PFAS.
What Consumers Report
Consumers report:
- Purchasing Etude products because of their gentle or skin-friendly marketing.
- Choosing waterproof cosmetics expecting safer formulations.
- Paying premium prices for products promoted as high-quality beauty products.
- Learning later that PFAS may be present in waterproof cosmetics.
- Feeling misled about product ingredients.
- Becoming concerned about long-term exposure to forever chemicals.
Why Consumers Should Be Concerned
Consumers rely upon manufacturers to accurately describe the products they sell. Marketing products as clean, gentle, or skin-conscious while allegedly using PFAS may deprive consumers of the ability to make informed purchasing decisions and compare competing products.
This investigation seeks to determine whether Etude adequately disclosed the presence of PFAS and whether consumers paid a price premium because of allegedly misleading marketing.
Potential Claims May Include
- False Advertising
- Consumer Protection
- Deceptive Trade Practices
- Breach of Express Warranty
- Unjust Enrichment
Signs You May Be Affected
You may be affected if:
- You purchased Etude waterproof cosmetic products.
- You bought them within the past several years.
- The products were marketed as clean, gentle, or skin-friendly.
- You paid a premium based on those representations.
- You still possess receipts or product packaging.
- You would not have purchased—or would have paid less for—the products had you known they allegedly contained PFAS.
If you have encountered these issues, we would like to hear from you. Please complete the contact form on this page, send us an email at [email protected], or give us a call at (202) 470-3520.