Jessica Alba’s Honest Company, which markets “safe and eco-friendly” household products, is facing criticism after sunscreen users took to social media to document their sunburns.
The company touts the the sunscreen as an SPF 30 with “broad spectrum, mineral-based protection,” USA Today reported.
“Don’t buy @Honest sunscreen unless u want to look like this. Second time I’ve tried this stuff and got fried,” wrote @LindsyMarshall alongside a picture of her red chest.
“No offense to @Honest, but I will NEVER use your sunscreen again!! After applying it LIBERALLY every hr, my baby girl is burnt!! Not happy!!” wrote @RoRunner22.
Gretta Stabler, of Naperville, Ill., told NBC’s Chicago affiliate that she applied the sunscreen on her 6-year-old daughter four times over a three-hour period.
“She got really burned on her arms, shoulders, legs face, pretty much everywhere. I was angry,” she said.
The Honest Company issued a statement Friday saying it stands by the “safety and efficacy” of the product when used as directed, which includes applying 15 minutes before sun exposure and reapplying after 80 minutes of swimming or sweating, USA Today reported.
The company maintains the product was tested by an independent third party, according to Food and Drug Administration protocol.
The FDA requires sunscreen products to use up to 25 percent of zinc oxide. An investigation by NBC found the Honest Company dropped the percentage of the ingredient from 20 percent to 9.3 percent. When it removed the zinc, the company said it added other ingredients to keep it effective.
Ms. Alba has yet to publicly comment on the controversy.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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