TRENDING

 

If you've heard at all about this scandal, you know that some users have banded together to file a class-action lawsuit against EOS. According to BuzzFeed, the lawsuit was initially filed by a woman named Rachel Cronin and her attorney, Mark Geragos.

In the suit, Cronin claims that EOS users have experienced "mild to severe rashes, dryness, bleeding, blistering, cracking, and loss of pigmentation, lasting from a few days, to a few months, and some consumers with long lasting and perhaps permanent symptoms" and that, despite receiving complaints on their social media pages and through email, EOS has "failed to provide any warning" on their website or on the product and have "failed to recall the product" or "commission a study regarding the adverse effects of its proprietary formula." Cronin alleges that she was able to feel the averse effects within hours—and that they lasted up to ten days.

Though this all sounds pretty scary, we reached out to a professional dermatologist to get all the info you might need.

"Itchiness, burning, stinging and redness are all early signs of a possible allergy or irritation to a lip product," explains Joshua Zeichner, Assistant Professor of Dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in NYC. "If you are experiencing [any of these symptoms], then discontinue using the product." 

If you've already been using EOS without any problems, then you have no need to fear or switch brands. Everyone's skin is different, and everyone reacts differently to different products. That's why it's important to conduct a patch test every time you try something new.

To perform a patch test and see if a product is right for you, Professor Zeichner advises you to apply the product behind your ear, where your skin is sensitive. If you don't see a reaction over the next 24 hours, you're good to go.

As for EOS, they're confident that their product is still safe for everyone. "We firmly believe this lawsuit is without merit," shared an EOS spokesperson when we reached out. "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."

Update 1/28: According to both EOS and Mark Geragos, this lawsuit has been peacefully resolved and settled. Check out both what the company and Cronin's lawyer had to say.

"We are pleased to announce that the class action lawsuit brought against eos earlier this month has been resolved. Our products are safe – and this settlement confirms that. Our lip balms are hypoallergenic, dermatologist tested, made with the highest quality ingredients, meet or exceed all safety and quality standards set by our industry and are validated by rigorous safety testing conducted by independent labs. We love our customers and their enjoyment of our products is our top priority. We thank them for their continued support," said EOS.

Mark Geragos added, "I am very pleased that we have been able to so quickly and amicably resolve the matter with eos lip balm products. This is a testament to eos being responsive to the concerns of their consumers. eos has demonstrated through data that their lip balms are hypoallergenic, and has provided a mechanism for individual instances to be resolved. eos makes great products and the company is doing the right thing by adding more information about their lip balm products on packaging so that buyers can make informed choices. We will be applying to the courts to close this case."

Photo credit: EOS

by Chelsea Duff | 2/1/2016