Why the Drunk Elephant Recall Isn't as Scary as It Sounds

Discard of the products if you have them, but don't freak out.

Drunk Elephant voluntary recalled a few lots of its Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser, Protini Polypeptide Cream, and Lala Retro Whipped Cream on November 16. The lots were recalled due to an ingredient mixup during manufacturing, resulting in some products with extra ingredients and some with no preservatives. The products without preservatives have since shown yeast and bacterial growth—and while you should discontinue use if you have anything from the effected lots (more details on that ahead) you shouldn't be too worried about potential side effects, explains board-certified dermatologist Heather Woolery-Lloyd, M.D.

"We're exposed to bacteria every day of our lives. We handle doorknobs. We go to the bathroom in public places," says Dr. Woolery-Lloyd. So bacterial growth in a skin-care product is not likely to cause much harm. "But if your skin barrier is compromised—you've just gotten a chemical peel, you have a scratch from your cat, you're immunocompromised—then those people may get a superficial, localized infection or superficial, localized skin irritation."

What Exactly Happened?

During the manufacturing process, there were a few mixups involving preservatives and surfactants. Preservatives help prevent the growth of bacteria in skin-care products as they're exposed to air and our fingers dipping in and out of them. Surfactants (short for surface active agent) are used in cleansers to breakup oils and fats, allowing them to be washed away.

The Jelly Cleanser had an extra preservative added: Microkill COS (contains phenoxyethanol, chlorphenesin, and caprylyl glyco), the preservative that is used in the Lala Retro Whipped and Protini Polypeptide formulas. The two creams got Mirataine CBS (Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine), the surfactant used in the Jelly Cleanser.

Because of this switch, the cleanser wasn't as strong of a cleanser as it should be, and the creams had mild cleansing properties and no preservative system. Affected lots of the Lala Retro cream subsequently grew a yeast, Candida parapsilosis, which lives on skin without harm; while affected lots of the Protini cream subsequently grew bacteria most closely related to the genera Klebsiella and Enterobacter, which are commonly found in water, food, and on the skin. "Bacterial growth in a product might make it smell different, look different, have a different odor, and so forth," says Dr. Woolery-Lloyd.

While inhaling or ingesting large quantities of these microorganisms can cause adverse health reactions, Dr. Woolery-Lloyd says topically applied small amounts will, at worst, cause skin irritation or infection. "If you used an affected product and you haven't noticed anything, you're not likely to have any delayed reaction. I would just discontinue using it and go to their website and follow their instructions for the recall," she says.

How Can I Find the Lot Code?

Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser

• The lot code can be found on the back, top of the tube and on the bottom of the box.

Protini Polypeptide Cream

• For tubs, the lot code can be found on both the bottom of the tub and the bottom of the box.

• For sample envelopes, the lot code can be found on the back, right side of the envelope.

Lala Retro Whipped Cream

• The lot code code can be found on both the bottom of the tub and the bottom of the box.

Which Lots Were Recalled?

Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser

• 4135HG

• 4144HG

• 4150HG

• 4156HG

Protini Polypeptide Cream

• 4163BG

• 4165SG

• 4165TG 
  

Lala Retro Whipped Cream

• 4177QG

• 4178PG

• 4190QG

• 4191QG

• 4205QG

• 4182QG

• 4167PG

• 4199AC-A

• 4204AC

• 4205AC

Visit DrunkElephant.com/VoluntaryRecall for more detailed recall information, including the size of the recalled items, and where and when they were sold.

Can I Get a Refund?

Yes, consumers who purchased affected lots can visit DrunkElephant.com/VoluntaryRecall and fill out the return form or contact the brand's customer service. You will be sent a return label and upon receipt of the product, the brand will issue you a full refund and send a new, unaffected version of the product.