Johnson & Johnson’s OGX hair-care products, specifically the shampoo and conditioner from various lines, are currently the subject of a class-action lawsuit claiming the shampoo formulas lead to hair loss in consumers.
According to the lawsuit, plaintiff Larissa Whipple’s biggest worry is that one of the main ingredients in a handful of OGX’s SKUs, including their shampoo, is DMDM hydantoin, a preservative and antimicrobial agent found in the shampoo that may cause hair loss. The OGX lines in question are the brand’s Argan Oil, Biotin, Coconut Oil, Collagen and Pomegranate lines.
Why OGX is under fire for their shampoo products’ correlation with hair loss
“Johnson & Johnson made a number of affirmative misrepresentations … that the products ‘deeply nourish,’ ‘gently cleanse,’ and ‘repair hair,’” states the lawsuit according to Prevention. “However, the OGX products’ formula contains an ingredient, or combination of ingredients, that has caused Plaintiff and thousands of OGX consumers to experience hair loss and/or scalp irritation.”
Johnson & Johnson also told Prevention its reasoning behind using the ingredient in its shampoo: “Some of our existing OGX products contain a small amount of DMDM hydantoin, a preservative used to prevent mold from developing while the product is in the shower. Every preservative used in our shampoo must clear our rigorous safety assessment process. We are working with our partners to ensure our evolved formulations are included across the entire collection of shampoos and conditioners.”
Stay tuned to NewBeauty for updates as the suit progresses.
