Honasa Consumer Takes Legal Action Against Hindustan Unilever Over Sunscreen Ad

Honasa Consumer Ltd, the company behind the popular skincare brand Mamaearth, has initiated a legal battle against Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL). The lawsuit, recently filed in the Delhi High Court, centers on allegations that HUL’s advertisement for Lakme Sun Expert sunscreen is both misleading and disparaging towards competitors.

Allegations of Misleading Advertising

In its complaint, Honasa Consumer asserts that the Lakme campaign titled “SPF Lie Detector Test” unfairly targets rival products, particularly a sunscreen that bears a striking resemblance to one offered by The Derma Co., another brand owned by Honasa. The lawsuit claims that the advertisement undermines the credibility of these competing brands without valid justification.

• Key Points of the Lawsuit:
  • Honasa Consumer demands the removal of the Lakme advertisement.
  • The Delhi High Court has requested HUL to respond to these allegations.
  • The court observed that the ad appears to be disparaging “on the face of it.”

Upcoming Court Proceedings

The Delhi High Court has scheduled the next hearing for April 17, where both Honasa and HUL will present their arguments regarding the contentious advertisement.

Contentions in the Lakme Campaign

The controversy stems from a recent Lakme advertisement promoting its Sun Expert SPF 50 sunscreen. The ad suggests that many emerging digital-first sunscreen brands misrepresent their SPF protection, claiming to provide SPF 50 when, in reality, they may only offer as little as SPF 20. Lakme’s defense hinges on its use of in-vivo testing—considered a global benchmark for assessing sunscreen efficacy—as a means to substantiate its claims.

This legal dispute highlights the intense competition in the skincare market, particularly among brands that emphasize transparency and accuracy in their product claims. As the case unfolds, it will undoubtedly attract significant attention from both the industry and consumers.

Stay tuned for further updates as this case progresses, particularly the outcome of the upcoming court hearing.

For more insights on the latest developments in the skincare industry, check out our articles on sunscreen effectiveness and advertising regulations in cosmetics.