Aquaphor Lawsuit: Parents Say “Hypoallergenic” Healing Ointment Contains Allergen

Case Overview: A class action claims Aquaphor Baby and Children’s Healing Ointments falsely advertise as hypoallergenic despite containing a known skin allergen.

Consumers Affected: Parents and caregivers who purchased Aquaphor baby or children’s ointments marketed as hypoallergenic.

Court: U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California

A California mother has filed a class action lawsuit against Beiersdorf Inc., the maker of Aquaphor, claiming the company’s healing ointments for babies and children contain an allergen despite being sold as hypoallergenic.

Esther Hicks says she bought Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment and Aquaphor Children’s Healing Ointment to soothe her infant’s persistent rash. The lawsuit alleges that both versions include lanolin alcohol, a substance recognized as a common allergen and unsuitable for damaged or inflamed skin.

According to the complaint, the products’ labeling misled parents into believing they were safe for sensitive skin when in fact the ingredients could worsen irritation in certain children. 

Hicks filed the case in federal court in California, citing violations of state and federal consumer protection laws.

Ingredient at Issue Named Allergen of the Year

Lanolin alcohol, derived from wool, has long been used in moisturizers and healing creams for its emollient properties. However, dermatology research has linked it to allergic contact dermatitis in some users. 

In 2023, the American Contact Dermatitis Society named lanolin alcohol “Allergen of the Year,” drawing attention to its potential to trigger immune reactions when applied to compromised skin.

The lawsuit says that while lanolin can be safe when used on healthy skin, it may penetrate too deeply when applied to cracked or irritated skin, causing redness, inflammation, or other allergic responses. Hicks argues that Aquaphor should not market its baby and children’s products as hypoallergenic while including this ingredient.

She claims she saw improvement in her daughter’s skin only after discontinuing the ointment.

“Hypoallergenic” Label Allegedly Misleads Parents

The lawsuit contends that Beiersdorf markets Aquaphor as hypoallergenic to appeal to families seeking products for sensitive skin. Hicks says that labeling allows the company to charge a premium price compared to other brands that perform similar functions.

The complaint points to examples such as the 14-ounce jar of Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment, sold for about $18.37 at Walmart, compared with a 13-ounce container of Vaseline Baby Healing Petroleum Jelly that costs roughly $5.48.

According to Hicks, many shoppers rely on the “hypoallergenic” label because they lack the medical background to analyze ingredient lists or identify chemical allergens. The lawsuit argues that a reasonable consumer would not know lanolin alcohol is among the most common triggers of contact dermatitis.

Hicks also cites dermatological guidelines stating that to be considered hypoallergenic, lanolin should contain less than three percent free lanolin alcohol. The products in question allegedly exceed that threshold.

Other Skincare Brands Face Similar Lawsuits Over Allergen Claims

The case against Beiersdorf adds to a series of recent lawsuits challenging how skincare products use the term “hypoallergenic.” Consumers have increasingly questioned whether that label has any standardized meaning or regulatory oversight.

A separate complaint accuses Valitic of falsely advertising its Kojic Acid Dark Spot Remover Soap Bars as effective and compliant with federal law when they allegedly contain unauthorized ingredients.

Meanwhile, grocery retailer Albertsons faces claims that its Signature Care Sensitive Skin Body Wash contains allergens despite being marketed as hypoallergenic. Plaintiffs in both cases argue that misleading claims about skin safety cause consumers to pay premium prices for products that do not meet expectations.

In the Aquaphor class action lawsuit, Hicks is seeking to represent all California residents who purchased the baby or children’s ointment, along with a multistate class covering consumers in other jurisdictions with similar warranty laws. She is asking for refunds, statutory damages, attorneys’ fees, and an injunction requiring Beiersdorf to correct its product labeling.

Case Details

• Lawsuit: Esther Hicks v. Beiersdorf Inc.
• Case Number: 1:25-cv-00822
• Court: U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California

Plaintiffs' Attorney:

• Jennifer L. MacPherson, Craig W. Straub and Zachary M. Crosner (Crosner Legal PC)

Do you use Aquaphor Baby or Children’s Healing Ointment? Have you noticed skin irritation or allergic reactions? Share your experience in the comments below.