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Caused Major Allergic Reaction
This is a vent, and it's LONG. Move along if you're not in the mood.
I just had the most infuriating discussion with a representative from Unilver regarding their Simple brand makeup remover wipes. I called them last week to report my daughter's reaction to their product (her eyelids swelled shut). I wanted to try to isolate what she was actually allergic to, so we don't buy anything with that chemical in it again. My daughter spent the day with ice on her eyes, and had to take benadryl to get the swelling down. She missed an important softball tryout - and she was miserable.
So, I get a phone call today. It's Sasha, from Unilever. Well, Hi, Sasha. She wants to get some information from me about my daughter's experience.
Sasha: So how old is your daughter?
Me: 15
Sasha: And she was REMOVING MAKEUP?
Me: Yes
Sasha: You let your 15 year old wear MAKEUP?
Me: Umm, Yes...
Sasha: Mmmmmmmm
She then went on to tell me that these wipes are not for minors. They are marketed for adults. And she was very rude, and VERY judgemental about my choice to allow my daughter to wear makeup. It was one of the most ridiculous conversations I've ever had.
Keep in mind, there is absolutely no place on the packaging that states that these products are only for adults. I told Sasha that. I read from the actual package. She responded, "Well no, as I already said - it isn't written anywhere. It's just assumed." WTH?
So I told her I want to speak to a Supervisor. She said someone would call me in 24 hours, and she hung up on me. In the interest of transparency, I probably said, "I need to speak to someone with some intelligence." Just putting that out there so I don't paint myself as being completely calm and rational at this point.
I called Unilever back - and I asked for a manager. I spoke with, "Gee." I have no idea how to spell it, but that's how it sounds.
I had the call on speaker and I recorded it. Along with telling me that the wipes are for "mature" skin, she also went on to tell me that she has a baby, and before she uses any new products on her baby, she tests a little first to make sure the baby doesn't have a reaction because that's what parents do. NO WORDS for a few seconds as I tried not to explode.
I quietly said, "You do realize that this is a young woman who is learning to drive a car? She is not a baby." I also said, "So you're saying that she should have wasted a wipe - that specifically states it's for sensitive skin - and tested it on an inconspicuous place because it's actually loaded with chemicals?"
Her response: "Well, yeah."
She then went on to say, "She was probably allergic to something in the wipes." At this point, I'm trying really hard to keep my head from exploding. "You don't say." Then she says, "Well I do apologize that your daughter had some burning and stinging."
::::::TICKY-BOOM::::::
"What? Did you say burning and stinging? Umm, no. How about her eyelids swelled shut? As in, 'Mom, I can't see anything something is really wrong' kind of reaction. She spent the day with ice packs on her eyes. She had a terrible headache. She had to go to Urgent Care. She needed a mega dose of benadryl and she slept the entire day.
I am livid right now. So, I'm passing this along to everyone: this "Simple" product, which is marketed only as, "Kind to Skin" and from "Sensitive Skin Experts" is actually full of chemicals. They will blame you and judge your parenting when there's a reaction - which is completely ridiculous and does nothing to solve the problem. Now they want me to send the product back and sign a medical release because they feel that, "She may have had an existing allergy."
I already attempted to write to Unilever online, and I was ignored.
August 2016 · Beauty and Personal Care