A popular skincare product is being recalled in the United Kingdom over possible bacterial contamination.
Regulators fear that if the contaminated product makes contact with a person's eyes, it could cause inflammation and irritation.
Here's what to know
The product in question is Simple Kind to Skin Micellar Cleansing Water in the 200 ml, 400 ml, and 730 ml sizes.
The recall began on Aug. 14 and was updated on Aug. 25 to include additional batches.
The batch codes of the affected products can be found in the product recall notice released by the United Kingdom's Office for Product Safety and Standards.
As the OPSS explained in the recall notice, "It has been identified that affected batches may be microbiologically contaminated, which may cause eye inflammation… The product has been withdrawn from the market and recalled from end users by Unilever."
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Anyone whose bottle carries one of those codes should stop using it and contact Simple about a refund. A receipt may not be necessary if a customer can provide a photo showing the bottle and its batch code.
Of course, the recall should not be treated as evidence that the entire brand is unsafe, but if you have a product that you believe might be impacted by this recall, check its batch number underneath the bottle and the recall notice itself. If the number matches a recalled batch, stop using the product immediately.
The warning to immediately stop use is especially important because people often apply micellar water close to their eyes.
To contact Unilever's customer care line, reach out to ukicare@unilever.com, or call 0800 146 252 (for the U.K.) or 1800 604 060 (for Ireland).
Where can I learn more?
Related coverage includes a wider U.S. Food and Drug Administration recall, proposed beauty-safety legislation, and greenwashing tactics that can mislead shoppers.
• At Gold Star Foods, an FDA-linked recall swept up food, drugs, and makeup contaminated with filth.
• In Congress, lawmakers advanced a sweeping safer beauty bill aimed at store-shelf ingredients.
• Across the beauty aisle, shoppers found greenwashing had become rampant among "clean" brands.
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