Today’s topic: The Olaplex lawsuit.
Olaplex was essentially a hair repair hero in 2014. If your hair was over-processed, dehydrated, or generally in a terrible condition, the product was advertising to revive it with the help of some high-tech science that supposedly fixes the broken bonds.
Hair stylists couldn’t get enough of it. Salons kept it in stock. And every day people (like us) were raving about it. However, there was a bit of a scandal when consumers realized how the product was doing more harm than good.
Eventually, people came together to file a lawsuit. They alleged that “the brand’s products caused hair loss and scalp irritation due to harmful ingredients like benzene and lilial,” according to Consumer Shield.
In this article, we will talk about the following things:
- What is the Olaplex lawsuit about?
- What are the major allegations in the Olaplex lawsuit?
- The products that are part of the lawsuit.
- How did the brand react or respond to the lawsuit?
- How to be a part of the lawsuit?
- What is the Olaplex lawsuit settlement?
Therefore, if these are a few things that you want to know about, keep on reading this blog till the end…
Is There a Lawsuit Against Olaplex?
The Olaplex class action lawsuit initiated in April 2024, alleged that the company misled consumers by labeling its hair treatment, shampoo, and conditioner products as “Made in the USA” or using some variation of this expression.
As per the Olaplex lawsuit, the hair care products had also been composed of several ingredients that were made in foreign countries.
The complaint reads that Olaplex “intentionally and unlawfully” deceived customers into believing that the products being manufactured wholly in the USA to benefit itself economically.
So, what are people complaining about? Well, here’s what people are saying happened after using Olaplex:
- Hair shedding like crazy.
- Burning or itchy scalp.
- Hair going dry, frizzy, lifeless.
- Feeling duped by ads that made the product sound like a miracle.
But when did all this start? It was in 2023 that consumers came together to file a class action. Their claim? That Olaplex included harsh ingredients and didn’t say a word about it. No warnings, no heads-up—nothing.
Apart from these, the plaintiffs also “accuse Olaplex of dismissing their concerns and suggesting that hair shedding is either normal or attributable to other causes,” according to CBS News.
Major Allegations in the Olaplex Lawsuit
Initially, what started as a 28 plaintiff complaint quickly rose to 100. And the Olaplex lawsuit became the first product liability litigation against the brand, as per Consumer Shield. Let’s break down what people sued Olaplex for:
| Allegation | What It Really Means |
| False Marketing | They say Olaplex made big promises and didn’t deliver. Instead of helping, it made things worse. |
| Harmful Chemicals | The products allegedly contain stuff that could mess with your health—like hormone issues, irritation, even cancer risks. |
| No Warning | People weren’t told about any of these risks upfront. That’s a big deal legally. |
What Products Are a Part of the Olaplex Lawsuit?
Pretty much the whole lineup.
If you’ve ever used anything with “Olaplex No.” on the label, here’s the list that’s under the spotlight:
- No. 0 – Intensive Bond Building Hair Treatment
- No. 1 – Bond Multiplier
- No. 2 – Bond Perfector
- No. 3 – Hair Perfector
- No. 4 – Bond Maintenance Shampoo
- No. 5 – Bond Maintenance Conditioner
- No. 6 – Bond Smoother
- No. 7 – Bonding Oil
- No. 8 – Bond Intense Moisture Mask
- No. 9 – Bond Protector Nourishing Hair Serum
Types of Claims in the Olaplex Lawsuit
Here’s what the plaintiffs are saying Olaplex did wrong:
1. Lilial Exposure: Lilial is a fragrance ingredient. Used to be super common in beauty stuff. But in 2022, the EU banned it. Why? Because it may mess with fertility and hormones. Olaplex No. 3 had it. They removed it that same year… but didn’t tell customers or recall anything. Kinda shady, right?
2. Benzene Risk: Benzene’s a scary one—it’s linked to cancer. Turns out, if certain ingredients (like sodium benzoate + citric or ascorbic acid) mix, they can create benzene. People say that combo might’ve existed in some Olaplex products.
3. Hair Damage & Hair Loss: This is the big one. Tons of users say their hair just—well, gave up:
- Clumps falling out
- Dry, brittle strands
- Angry, irritated scalp
And apparently, Olaplex ignored all the complaints coming in.
Which Olaplex Products Were Recalled?
Olaplex has never had its products officially recalled by any government authority in the U.S. or other major markets. The brand’s biggest issues to-date have been a voluntary removal of an ingredient, rather than product recalls.
Eventually, Olaplex removed the synthetic fragrance ingredient “lilial” (butylphenyl methylpropional) from its products worldwide on its own accord in February 2022.
The European Union banned the ingredient because of its potential to cause reproductive toxicity based on animal studies. Additionally, no side effects, such as allergic reactions or hair loss, were reported in humans from which the EU could have drawn its conclusion.
Although the ingredient was prohibited in new products in the EU, there was no requirement for a formal recall of existing products containing the ingredient.
How Did Olaplex Respond To The Lawsuit?
They’re denying everything.
According to them:
- Their products are safe and science-approved
- Plenty of happy customers still back them
- They’ve followed every rule
- The complaints don’t have enough proof
Oh, and about the chemicals? They said the amounts were so tiny, there’s no way they could hurt anyone.
Business Insider stated that, according to Olaplex, the allegations of the lawsuit are nothing but baseless and that there can be “a wide variety of reasons for hair breakage or hair loss.”
Is Olaplex Safe To Use Now?
That depends on your comfort level.
Reasons You Might Still Use It:
- Tons of people swear it works fine
- Some formulas got updated
- Olaplex says it’s totally safe
Reasons You Might Not:
- There’s a lawsuit still happening
- Concerns about long-term exposure to some ingredients
- Real stories of hair loss and damage
Best bet? Read the labels. Ask your dermatologist. Trust your gut.
How Much Will Be The Olaplex Lawsuit Settlement Payout?
Class members who are part of the Olaplex settlement and who submit a claim form that is timely and valid will be given a $5 voucher each to be used for the purchase of an item sold on Olaplex’s website.
According to ClassAction.Org, the Olaplex settlement voucher is a non-cash redemption and is valid for one purchase only, i.e., the voucher cannot be divided into multiple transactions.
Furthermore, it is allowed to be used in conjunction with other offers on Olaplex.com, such as sales or other price reductions, but it cannot be combined with another promotional code. The settlement voucher will become invalid 12 months after the date of its issuance.
Who Qualifies For The Olaplex Lawsuit Settlement?
The Olaplex settlement is for any individual residing in the United States who purchased one or more Olaplex products that had “Made in USA” or a similar indication either on the product or on its packaging during the time period from February 7, 2019 to September 6, 2024.
When Will You Get The Olaplex Settlement Voucher?
The vouchers with Olaplex settlement will be handed to the people who are qualified to be in the class from a local of not more than 60 days after the deal being definite.
According to the settlement site, the finalization of the deal is expected to take place around the 12th day of September 2025.
Which Lawyer Can Help You With The Olaplex Lawsuit?
Now that’s a really good question! Well, if you really want to be a part of the settlement amount, you’ll want to find a product liability or personal injury attorney.
And yes, before you choose them, ask them things like:
- Have you worked on beauty lawsuits before?
- Do I have to pay for the first consultation?
- Can I join a class action, or do I go solo?
| Legal Help | What They’ll Do For You |
| Free Case Review | They’ll tell you if you’re eligible to join the lawsuit |
| Collect Evidence | Help round up proof that shows your hair or health was affected |
| Negotiate Settlements | Fight for your compensation—whether that’s money or something else |
Just in case you were wondering, you can find these lawyers through websites like:
- TopClassActions.com
- ClassAction.org
- ConsumerSafety.org
So, what’s the takeaway? If you’ve used Olaplex, keep an eye on your hair—and trust your instincts. If something seems off, don’t ignore it. You’re not imagining things, and you’re not alone.
Help is out there.
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