Unilever Sued Over Formaldehyde-Related Shampoo Preservative

Unilever U.S. Inc. deceptively portrayed Suave “professional” hair products as smoothing and nourishing for hair when they contained a preservative that releases formaldehyde, causing hair loss and scalp irritation, a new lawsuit alleges.

Through its nationwide advertising campaign, Unilever and unit Conopco Inc. have led consumers to believe that Suave products help “nourish” and “replenish” hair and specifically help to reduce hair loss, the suit alleges.

But the Suave shampoos and conditioners at issue were made with DMDM hydantoin, which has been linked to cancer and allergic skin reactions, Deanna Lewakowski alleges in a suit filed June 18 in the ...