A federal judge has certified a 2011 class action lawsuit claiming L'Oreal failed to warn consumers that its Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Anti-Frizz Serum is flammable upon contact with most heat-styling tools.

 

We first reported on the Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine class action lawsuit last July, which claims the serum's two main ingredients, cyclopentasiloxane and dimethiconol, "are known to be flammable substances that should be kept away from heat sources and sources of ignition."

 

These ingredients reportedly ignite at 171 degrees Fahrenheit. The normal heating range for commonly used styling appliances is 200-450 degrees, according to the class action lawsuit.

 

The lawsuit goes on to accuse L'Oreal of placing "misleadingly limited, and inaccurate" warnings on the product's label implying the serum was safe to use with high-heat styling appliances, while placing no warning of any kind on other serum product packaging. 

 

U.S. District Judge Christina A. Snyder certified the L'Oreal class action lawsuit, ruling that consumers who purchased Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Anti-Frizz Serum from February 4, 2008 to the present may sue L'Oreal for not properly warning them that the product is hazardous when used near flames, ignition, or high-heat styling appliances such as curling irons, blow dryers, straighteners, etc. 

 

L'Oreal issued a statement on the class action lawsuit saying it "denies the allegations and will continue to vigorously defend Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Anti-Frizz Serum as safe for consumers."

 

A copy of the original L'Oreal Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Anti-Frizz Serum Class Action Lawsuit can be read here. 

 

The case is Catherine Altamura v. L'Oreal, USA, Inc. and L'Oreal USA Products, Inc., Case No. 11-cv-05465 6W(CWX), U.S. District Court, Central District of California.