RoC Class Action Lawsuit: Retinol Cleanser Ineffective, Consumers Claim

Case Overview: A class action lawsuit claims RoC's Retinol Rinse-Off Cleanser is ineffective and misleads consumers about its anti-aging benefits.

Consumers Affected: Consumers in the U.S. who purchased RoC's Retinol Rinse-Off Cleanser.

Court: U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, San Jose Division

A new lawsuit is taking aim at RoC Skincare, accusing the brand of falsely advertising the benefits of its Retinol Rinse-Off Cleanser. 

A group of consumers claim the cleanser cannot deliver on its promised anti-aging benefits because the key ingredient, retinol, is washed away too quickly to be effective. The lawsuit also alleges that improper packaging and storage render the retinol inactive before the product even reaches consumers.

Consumers Misled by RoC's False Advertising

Ivy Karina Vales, Tina Marie Barrales, Cindy Doerr, Adelina Pepenella, and Kimberly Caudle, shoppers that hail from California, Illinois, New York, and Missouri, filed the proposed class action lawsuit together against RoC.

Each plaintiff says they purchased the Retinol Rinse-Off Cleanser based on marketing that suggested it would provide the well-known skin benefits of retinol, including reducing wrinkles and improving skin texture. However, after using the product, they claim they saw no results and later learned that a rinse-off cleanser doesn’t allow retinol enough time to penetrate the skin and work effectively.

The plaintiffs argue that RoC knowingly misled consumers, exploiting their trust in retinol-based skincare. They are seeking refunds and other damages, saying they would not have purchased the product—or would have paid less—had they known the truth.

What Is Retinol?

Retinol, a derivative of vitamin A, is a popular ingredient in anti-aging skincare. When applied topically over time, it can help reduce fine lines, fade dark spots, and promote skin cell turnover. However, retinol requires prolonged skin contact to be effective—it needs time to be absorbed and converted into its active form, retinoic acid, which then interacts with skin cells to trigger benefits.

For this reason, most dermatologists recommend applying retinol in leave-on formulations like serums or creams. Washing it off immediately, as with RoC’s cleanser, prevents it from delivering any meaningful results.

RoC Retinol Cleanser Cannot Deliver Promised Benefits, Lawsuit Claims

The lawsuit argues that RoC’s Retinol Rinse-Off Cleanser is inherently flawed because it is designed to be washed off, preventing retinol from having any effect. Additionally, retinol is notoriously unstable—it breaks down when exposed to heat, light, and air. The plaintiffs claim that RoC fails to package or store the product properly, meaning the retinol may be degraded before consumers even open the bottle.

If these claims are true, it would mean the cleanser was never capable of delivering the promised anti-aging benefits in the first place, making RoC’s marketing deceptive.

Other Beauty Brands Face Similar Lawsuits Over Misleading Claims

This lawsuit is just the latest in a wave of consumer pushback against misleading beauty product claims. Skincare brand Maelys was recently sued for allegedly using photoshopped before-and-after images to promote its body creams. 

Another lawsuit accused Azure of advertising its products as containing collagen while also labeling them as vegan—despite the fact that real collagen is derived from animals. Teeth-whitening brand HiSmile has also faced legal action over allegedly deceptive marketing and exaggerated results.

In their class action lawsuit against RoC, the plaintiffs want to represent anyone in the US who bought the Retinol Rinse-Off Cleanser. They are suing for violation of the state consumer protection acts and unjust enrichment, and are seeking damages, restitution, injunctive relief, costs, fees, and interest.

Case Details

• Lawsuit: Vales, et al. v. RoC Opco LLC
• Case No.: 5:25-cv-01755
• Court: U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, San Jose Division 

Plaintiffs' Attorneys

• Timothy G. Blood, Thomas J. O’Reardon II, and James M. Davis (Blood Hurst & O’Reardon, LLP)

Have you used RoC's Retinol Rinse-Off Cleanser? Share your thoughts on this lawsuit in the comments below.