The clean beauty giant is a hit among the younger set—so before you stuff those stockings, read up on the three products being pulled.
Nearly 100,000 Drunk Elephant Cosmetics Recalled in 4 States
Published on Dec. 19, 2024
If your teen or tween has requested cosmetics for the holidays—or, if you’re a beauty lover yourself—it’s a good idea to check that list twice. One of buzziest brands, notably among the younger age group, has issued a widespread recall affecting nearly 100,000 units of three hot-selling items.
The company at the root of the recall, Drunk Elephant, is a clean beauty brand best known for its strategic elimination of the “Suspicious 6”—a handful of fragrances, dyes, essential oils, and other additives that can irritate and inflame the skin. However, a recent series of reports from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stated the company’s pristine ingredients list got an unexpected addition last month when “microbial contamination and/or unlisted ingredients” were discovered in several products.
The recall included 95,850 units of three Drunk Elephant products:
- 10,455 units of Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser (150ML, 60ML, 15ML): Lot # 4135HG , 4144HG, 4150HG, 4156HG
- 56,084 units of Lala Sample Packette—this included Lala Retro Whipped Cream DLX, Lala Retro Whipped Cream Mini, and O-Bloos Rosi Drops (50ML, 15ML, 5ML): Lot # 4162PG, 4177QG, 4178PG, 4190QG, 4191QG, 4205QG, 4182QG, 4167PG, 4199AC-A, 4204AC, 4205AC
- 29,311 units of Protini Polypeptide Cream (50ML): Lot # 4163BG, 4165SG, 4165TG
The Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser is an “innovative” gel cleanser and makeup remover which retails on the company’s site for $34 per 5 FL oz. bottle. Lala whipped cream is billed as a “rescue cream” moisturizer formulated with a “triple ceramide” blend ($64 per 1.69 FL oz.container). This is accompanied in the sample pack by O-Bloos Rosi Drops ($38 per 1 FL oz. container), a serum designed to provide a sunkissed, rosy glow. Finally, the Protini Polypeptide Cream, ($69 per 1.69 FL oz. container), is a “peptide-packed” moisturizer that improves tone, texture, and firmness.
On December 13, the FDA updated its safety warning to list the incident as a Class II recall, indicating a moderate risk of temporary or reversible medical harm.
Originally founded in 2012 by stay-at-home mom-turned-entrepreneur Tiffany Masterson, Drunk Elephant gained a cult following almost immediately after its public launch, then went on to became one of the most popular and fastest-growing brands in Sephora’s history. The company owes much of its success to the viral praise of young customers including teens and preteens, who promoted the products widely on TikTok.
In 2019, the company was acquired by the Japanese skincare, makeup, and suncare company Shideido for $845 million. Shiseido Americas Corporation, the company’s American branch located in Rutherford, New Jersey, is now listed as the recalling firm on the FDA’s recall notice.
The good news? Shoppers in much of the country can rest easy, since the products were distributed in just four states: Florida, California, Wisconsin, and Illinois.
If you believe you have the affected products in your possession, one avenue for potential remedy is to inquire with the company or your retailer for a refund.
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