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(CN) — A federal class action has accused French cosmetics company L’Oréal of fraud, arguing that while it sells its CeraVe skin creams for babies at a premium, they are virtually identical to their comparable adult creams.
On its website, L’Oréal states that its CeraVe baby healing ointment and CeraVe baby eczema relief cream are “designed for baby’s sensitive skin.”
But the baby creams have the same active ingredients, inactive ingredients and overall formulation as their adult counterparts, consumers claim in a new class action.
“Each baby product and its corresponding standard product are materially identical in all relevant respects,” the plaintiffs say in their complaint, filed Thursday. “The only difference is the addition of ‘baby’ representations and related messages, including vignettes invoking baby products, on the baby products’ labels.”
The plaintiffs add: “The directions for use are likewise identical as between the baby and standard versions: ‘apply as needed.’”
Despite the products’ similarities, the baby creams are more expensive — costing about 20% to 30% more per ounce, according to the plaintiffs.
“Consumers who purchase the baby products pay a significant price premium by virtue of L’Oréal’s misleading marketing,” the plaintiffs say in their complaint.
The suit names one plaintiff, Monica Raymundo of San Diego County.
Raymundo says she purchased CeraVe baby healing ointment from Amazon in 2024. The suit is seeking more than $5 million from the French multinational corporation, which purchased CeraVe and two other companies in 2017 for $1.3 billion.
Television ads for CeraVe have featured actor Michael Cera and basketball star Kevin Durant. Durant has at times been teased by fans for his dry skin and “ashy” legs — a joke Durant has leaned into for his brand partnership.
The popular skin care brand — endorsed by none other than the New York Times’ Wirecutter — is currently facing six other federal class actions with far more serious allegations: that some of its products contain benzene, a known carcinogen.
L’Oréal did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the latest lawsuit.
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