Deodorants and antiperspirants have been sued in three distinct waves: personal injury claims that Old Spice sticks caused chemical burns, a large group of class actions over benzene contamination in aerosol sprays from brands including Old Spice, Secret, Suave, and Right Guard, and a continuing line of labeling cases challenging words like “natural,” “alcohol-free,” and “unscented.” The benzene cases have produced the settlements most consumers can actually claim money from. Here is what each deodorant lawsuit involved, how it ended, and where the newer cases stand.
Benzene in Aerosol Sprays: The Biggest Wave
On November 4, 2021, the independent testing lab Valisure announced it had analyzed 108 batches of aerosol body sprays from 30 brands and detected benzene in 59 of them. Some batches measured up to 17.7 parts per million, roughly nine times the FDA’s conditionally restricted limit of 2 ppm.1Valisure. Valisure Detects Benzene in Body Spray Products Benzene is a known human carcinogen linked to leukemia and other blood cancers. Experts pointed to propellant gases — butane, isobutane, and propane — as the likely contamination source rather than any intentional ingredient.2International Hyperhidrosis Society. Antiperspirant and Deodorant Spray Recall Scientists have also noted that occasional consumer exposure from a spray can is far below the chronic industrial exposures studied in leukemia research.3McGill University Office for Science and Society. Should We Worry About Benzene in Personal Care Spray Products
Old Spice and Secret (Procter & Gamble)
On November 23, 2021, Procter & Gamble recalled 17 Old Spice and Secret aerosol products with expiration dates through September 2023.4U.S. Food and Drug Administration. P&G Issues Voluntary Recall of Specific Old Spice and Secret Aerosol Spray Antiperspirants Consumer lawsuits were consolidated into MDL No. 3025, In Re: Procter & Gamble Aerosol Products Marketing and Sales Practices Litigation, before Judge Michael H. Watson in the Southern District of Ohio.5Top Class Actions. P&G Tentatively Settles Aerosol Deodorant Body Spray Benzene Contamination Class Actions
Judge Watson granted final approval on June 16, 2023. The deal provided up to $8 million in cash refunds and vouchers for consumers who bought affected products between November 4, 2015, and December 31, 2021. Claimants could choose $3.50 per item (roughly 70% of the average retail price) or a voucher for a replacement product. P&G also agreed to test raw materials and finished products for benzene going forward.6Bloomberg Law. P&G Aerosol Products Benzene Settlement Approved7Seeger Gomez Trial Lawyers. Aerosol Spray Benzene Contamination Litigation
Suave (Unilever)
Unilever faced a separate class action, Barnes and Dean v. Unilever United States, Inc., Case No. 1:21-cv-06191 in the Northern District of Illinois. Plaintiffs alleged Suave 24-Hour Protection aerosol antiperspirant contained benzene at 5.21 ppm, more than two and a half times the FDA limit.8Cosmetics & Toiletries. Unilever Pays $2M to Resolve Suave Aerosol Benzene Suit Unilever recalled the products in 2022 and blamed the propellant. The case settled for $2 million and covered purchases from January 1, 2018, through March 7, 2024. Buyers with proof of purchase could claim a full refund; those without could claim $3.29 per product for up to three items.9ClassAction.org. Suave Antiperspirant Settlement
Right Guard (Henkel / Thriving Brands)
A class action filed in November 2021 alleged Right Guard Sport Fresh antiperspirant contained benzene at 2.87 ppm per Valisure and 5.07 ppm per Yale University testing.10ClassAction.org. Right Guard Sport Fresh Antiperspirant Spray Contains Benzene, Class Action Claims The case settled for $1.95 million. Consumers who bought Right Guard Sport or Right Guard Xtreme aerosol products between November 2018 and June 2023 were eligible for up to $1.75 per product without proof of purchase, or $3.00 with proof.11World Aerosols. A Settlement Has Been Reached in Right Guard Benzene Case
Other Recalls
Bayer recalled batches of Lotrimin and Tinactin antifungal sprays, and Odor Eaters recalled its Spray Powder and Stink Stoppers.2International Hyperhidrosis Society. Antiperspirant and Deodorant Spray Recall In February 2022, Brut and Sure aerosol sprays were voluntarily recalled nationwide for benzene detection.10ClassAction.org. Right Guard Sport Fresh Antiperspirant Spray Contains Benzene, Class Action Claims Some brands where Valisure detected benzene at or above 2 ppm, including Tag, Equate, and certain Right Guard products, did not issue recalls at the time.
Old Spice Chemical Burn Claims
In March 2016, Virginia resident Rodney Colley filed a class action against Procter & Gamble in the Southern District of Ohio, Case No. 1:16-cv-918, alleging a dozen Old Spice stick deodorants caused chemical burns, rashes, scarring, skin discoloration, scabbing, and peeling far beyond the minor irritation warned about on the label.12vLex. Colley v. Procter & Gamble Co. The complaint sought at least $25,000 per complainant.13ABC7 New York. Old Spice Deodorant Causes Painful Rashes, Burns, Lawsuit Claims
The named varieties were After Hours, Champion, Pure Sport High Endurance, Arctic Force High Endurance, Bearglove, Lion Pride, Swagger, Fresh High Endurance, Aqua Reef, Classic Fresh, Fiji, and Wolfthorn.14Cosmetics Business. Old Spice Faces Lawsuit Over Alleged Harmful Deodorants P&G spokesperson Damon Jones said the company was “100% confident Old Spice is safe to use” and attributed a small number of reactions to alcohol or fragrance sensitivity.15Fox 5 New York. Lawsuit Claims P&G’s Old Spice Deodorant Causes Rashes, Burns
The class case did not last. In October 2016, the court struck the class allegations and dismissed several claims, finding that individualized injuries could not be litigated as a class.16ForensisGroup. Old Spice Product Liability Lawsuit Expert Witness Insights From Rodney Colley v. Procter and Gamble Individual plaintiffs then filed their own suits in state court. By late 2019, more than 450 plaintiffs had claims pending against P&G, and the company was reported to be working toward a resolution.17Cincinnati Enquirer. Procter & Gamble May Resolve Lawsuit Over Old Spice Injuries Public reporting on the ultimate outcome of those individual claims is limited.
Labeling Lawsuits: “Natural,” “Alcohol-Free,” and “Unscented”
The oldest of these to settle was Terwin, et al. v. Church & Dwight Inc., Case No. 3:12-cv-01475 in the District of New Jersey. Plaintiffs said Arm & Hammer Essentials deodorant was marketed as “Natural” while containing the synthetic antimicrobial triclosan. The case settled for $1.9 million, with checks in the range of roughly $9 to $12 mailed in early 2016.18Top Class Actions. Arm & Hammer Natural Deodorant Class Action Settlement Checks Mailed
Dove Men+Care “Alcohol-Free”
In December 2025, Doris Gardner filed a class action against Unilever in the Eastern District of New York, Case No. 1:25-cv-07113, alleging Dove Men+Care 0% Aluminum Deodorant is labeled “alcohol-free” while containing benzyl alcohol, which the complaint describes as a skin irritant capable of causing redness, rashes, and eczema.19ClassAction.org. Dove Men’s Deodorant With No Alcohol Contains Benzyl Alcohol, Class Action Alleges Gardner said she experienced bumps and itchiness and would not have bought the product had she known.20Top Class Actions. Class Action Claims Dove Deodorant Labeled Alcohol-Free Contains Benzyl Alcohol The case is active. Gardner filed an amended complaint in late May 2026, and Unilever answered it on June 12, 2026.21CourtListener. Gardner v. Unilever United States, Inc.
Secret “Unscented”
In May 2026, Lisa Phaneuf filed a class action against Procter & Gamble in the District of Massachusetts, Case No. 1:26-cv-12251. The suit alleges Secret Invisible Solid Antiperspirant and Deodorant is marketed as “unscented” while listing “fragrance” as an ingredient, and that P&G uses the label to charge a price premium to consumers seeking fragrance-free products to avoid irritation. The complaint asserts fraud and unjust enrichment on behalf of a proposed nationwide class.22Top Class Actions. P&G Sued Over Unscented Deodorant Allegedly Made With Fragrance Ingredients No response from P&G had been reported as of the filing.23ClassAction.org. Unscented Secret Deodorant Contains Fragrance Ingredients, Class Action Lawsuit Alleges
If You Used a Recalled or Sued Product
The three benzene settlements above (P&G, Suave, Right Guard) each had their own claim window and eligibility dates. Those windows have now closed or are closing based on the purchase-date ranges above. The Dove and Secret labeling cases are pending, and no settlement or claims process exists in either yet. If you experienced a burn or rash from an Old Spice stick, that path was individual state-court litigation rather than a class refund program.