Lume Deodorant Lawsuit: Do "Soothing Ingredients" Cause Skin Burns?

Case Overview: A class action lawsuit alleges Lume Deodorant and Harry's Inc. falsely marketed Lume deodorants as gentle and safe for sensitive skin, when they allegedly caused chemical burns and rashes in consumers.

Consumers Affected: U.S. consumers who purchased Lume Deodorant.

Court: U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California

Lume Deodorant and its parent company Harry’s Inc. have been hit with a lawsuit claiming the brand’s products aren’t as safe or natural as advertised. 

The class action lawsuit alleges that Lume deodorants were defectively manufactured and falsely marketed as gentle and suitable for daily use, even on sensitive areas like underarms and groins. Instead, the products reportedly triggered painful skin reactions in consumers, including rashes and infections.

According to the lawsuit, the company misled customers by heavily promoting its deodorants as “all natural” and “skin safe,” despite containing synthetic ingredients and known irritants, and it failed to provide adequate warnings about the risks while continuing to promote products across major retailers, social media platforms, and digital ad campaigns.

"Doctor-Developed" Label Allegedly Misled Consumers

Thomas Allen of Galt, California, filed the lawsuit after purchasing Lume’s Mando Whole Body Deodorant online in December 2024. Allen says he was drawn to the product by advertising that claimed it was “doctor-developed” and safe for sensitive areas. 

With no prior skin sensitivities, he used the product for several weeks before developing painful rashes in both armpits. He later sought medical treatment and was diagnosed with a fungal skin infection, requiring prescription medication.

Allen claims he relied on Lume’s marketing, which emphasized health-conscious, “non-toxic” formulations, and would not have purchased the deodorant had he known it contained synthetic chemicals linked to irritation.

Irritating Ingredients at the Center of the Complaint

At the center of the lawsuit are several ingredients that dermatologists and users say can cause skin reactions. These include mandelic acid, ethylhexylglycerin, ozokerite, and PPG-15 stearyl ether—compounds with documented links to irritation, allergic response, or even toxicity in animal studies. 

The complaint also highlights consumer complaints posted in public forums like Reddit, where users described burning sensations, peeling skin, and painful welts after using the deodorant.

Despite reports of adverse reactions, the lawsuit claims that Lume continued to market its products as safe for sensitive skin and “all natural”—language reinforced through packaging, video ads, and even website metadata. 

Allen alleges that the company knew about the potential risks but chose not to warn customers or reformulate the products.

Deodorant Brands Face Growing Legal Challenges

Lume isn’t the only deodorant brand in hot water. In early 2025, a lawsuit was filed against Edgewell Personal Care, the maker of Billie’s All Day Deodorant, after consumers reported chemical burns and rashes. Plaintiffs said the product’s “gentle” branding didn’t match their painful experiences.

Native, another popular brand, was also sued this year over claims about its 72-hour deodorant spray. Customers said the product didn’t live up to promises of long-lasting odor protection and was deceptively labeled as “clinically tested.”

In his lawsuit against Lume, Allen wants to represent Lume customers nationwide in his claims of breach of express warranty, violation of the Magnusonmoss Warranty Act and Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, negligence, and more. He is seeking damages, injunctive relief, restitution, disgorgement, and attorneys’ fees. 

Case Details

• Lawsuit: Allen v. Lume Deodorant, LLC and Harry’s, Inc. 
• Case Number: 3:25-cv-04575-LB
• Court: U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California 

Plaintiffs' Attorney:

• Scott Edward Cole (Cole & Van Note)

Have you used Lume Deodorant? Share your experience with skin reactions in the comments below.