Saleen MartinUSA TODAY
A Texas-based skin care company is recalling some cleansers and creams due to an ingredient mix-up that could cause adverse skin reactions.
The company, Drunk Elephant, is based in Houston and announced the voluntary recall on its website.
Recalled products include the brand’s Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser, Protini Polypeptide Cream, and Lala Retro Whipped Cream, including sample packets of the Lala cream found inside the carton of O-Bloos Rosi Drops.
"We ask customers who have affected products to stop using them,” the company said, adding that the O-Bloos Rosi Drops product is not included in the recall.
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What’s the issue with the products?
According to Drunk Elephant, there was an ingredient mix-up for the three recalled products.
The impacted Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser products contain a preservative ingredient called Microkill COS. The ingredient isn’t listed on the product ingredient list.
It’s used often in cosmetics but may cause “a temporary adverse skin reaction in those with a specific sensitivity to this ingredient,” Drunk Elephant wrote on its website.
The Protini Polypeptide Cream that has been recalled has a surfactant Mirataine CBS in it, which is not listed on the ingredient list. Using the product could lead to a temporary skin reaction if consumers are sensitive to it, the company said.
The cream is also missing preservatives, which may allow microbial growth and some batches had bacteria related to the genera Klebsiella and Enterobacter. Klebsiella and Enterobacter are often found in water, food and on the skin and in the bodies of healthy individuals. During rare occasions, people may develop skin infections.
The recalled Lala Retro Whipped Cream products contain an ingredient called Mirataine CBS that is not listed on the product ingredient list. This ingredient may also lead to adverse skin reactions for those who are sensitive to it, Drunk Elephant said. The recalled product is also missing a preservative, which may allow microbial growth.
Impacted lots of the Lala cream products had yeast in them, or more specifically, Candida parapsilosis. It’s a yeast found on the human body and skin, Drunk Elephant.
Although the company warned that candida parapsilosis can live on the body without hurting individuals, there are rare occurrences where people who are immunocompromised or have compromised skin develop skin infections.
“Use of the contaminated product could result in an increased risk of infection,” Drunk Elephant said.
Which products have been impacted?
According to Drunk Elephant, the following lots have been impacted:
Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser:
- Lots 4135HG and 4144HG, 150 milliliters, sold at Ulta Beauty and Drunkelephant.com starting on May 29, 2024
- Lot # 4150HG, 60 milliliters, sold at Sephora starting on June 18, 2024
- Lot # 4156HG, 15 milliliters, sampled at Sephora and Ulta Beauty starting on July 22, 2024
Protini Polypeptide Cream:
- Lots 4163BG, 4165SG and 4165TG, 50 milliliters, sold at Ulta Beauty and Drunkelephant.com starting on June 27, 2024
Lala Retro Whipped Cream:
- Lots 4177QG, 4178PG, 4190QG, 4191QG and 4205QG, 50 milliliters, sold at Sephora, Sephora at Kohl’s, Ulta Beauty, Amazon, Drunkelephant.com and 3Sixty Duty Free starting on July 24, 2024
- Lot # 4182QG, 15 milliliters, sampled at Sephora and Ulta Beauty starting on Sept. 5, 2024
- Lot # 4167PG, 5 milliliters, sold at Ulta Beauty starting on Sept. 25, 2024
- Lots 4199AC-A, 4204AC and 4205AC, sample sizes distributed at Sephora at Kohl’s, Ulta Beauty, Amazon and Drunkelephant.com starting on Aug. 14, 2024
What should you do if you have the recalled products?
Drunk Elephant said if customers find they have impacted products, they should:
- Stop using the product.
- Return the product to Drunk Elephant.
- Fill out a return form on this page (one form per product) or contact the Drunk Elephant customer relations team at 1-800-604-1795 or voluntaryrecall@drunkelephant.com.
The company will send customers a prepaid shipping label to return the affected products. Once Drunk Elephant receives the product and the lot code is verified, they will issue a refund and send a replacement product.
The company said those with questions can call the Drunk Elephant customer relations team at 1-800-604-1795 or email voluntaryrecall@drunkelephant.com.
“The quality of our products and the satisfaction of our customers are our top priorities,” the company said. “We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Follow her on Twitter at @SaleenMartin or email her at sdmartin@usatoday.com.
