People who bought certain Dr. Squatch personal-care products labeled as natural may file a claim in a proposed $9 million class action settlement. The case alleges that covered products contained ingredients the plaintiffs described as synthetic despite the natural labeling.
Dr. Squatch denies making material misrepresentations and maintains that its products were properly labeled. The court has not decided who is right, and the settlement still requires final approval.
The class covers U.S. purchases dating back to 2018
The settlement class includes people who bought covered Dr. Squatch products in the United States from November 1, 2018, through August 29, 2026. The notice defines covered products as Dr. Squatch products that carried the word natural on their labeling.
The listed products span much of the company's personal-care line, including bar soap, beard oil, body wash, cologne, conditioner, deodorant, face wash, hand soap, lip balm, lotion, shampoo, shave butter, toothpaste and wipes. Buyers should consult the complete covered-product list and claim form on the official settlement website rather than assume that every Dr. Squatch purchase qualifies.
Current or former employees, officers, directors, agents and legal representatives of Dr. Squatch or its affiliates are excluded, along with their immediate family members.
Payments depend on the number of valid claims
Dr. Squatch agreed to create a $9 million settlement fund. After court-approved fees, costs, service awards and administration expenses are deducted, the remaining money will be divided pro rata among class members who submit valid and timely claims.
The notice does not give a fixed payment, minimum payment or per-person cap. That means the eventual amount cannot be calculated from the purchase price alone: it will depend on the net fund and the total number of valid claims.
Class counsel intends to request up to one-third of the fund, or $3 million, in attorneys' fees, plus up to $50,000 in litigation costs. The six named plaintiffs may seek service awards totaling up to $40,000, and notice and administration costs are estimated at $475,000. The court will decide whether to approve those requests.
A claim form is required by November 27
Eligible buyers must submit a valid claim through PersonalCareProductsSettlement.com by November 27, 2026. The notice describes a claims-made cash settlement, so doing nothing will not produce a payment.
The notice itself does not identify a specific receipt or purchase-document requirement. Claimants must still provide the information requested on the official claim form and should keep any available purchase records in case the administrator requests support.
Payments will not be issued until the settlement becomes final. Appeals, if any, could delay distribution even after the court considers final approval.
The lawsuit focuses on what natural meant on the label
The plaintiffs allege that Dr. Squatch represented covered products as natural even though they contained ingredients the plaintiffs characterize as synthetic. Dr. Squatch disputes those allegations, denies wrongdoing and says the products were properly labeled.
The settlement is a compromise rather than a ruling that the labels were unlawful. By remaining in the class, members will release covered claims relating to the purchase of the products and the natural-label allegations during the class period. The notice says that release does not include personal-injury damages or product-liability claims relating to the products.
October 13 is the opt-out and objection deadline
Class members who want to preserve the ability to pursue released claims separately must exclude themselves. Electronic or mailed opt-out requests must be submitted or postmarked by October 13, 2026. Anyone who opts out will not receive a settlement payment.
Objections are also due October 13. Objecting keeps a person in the class and asks the court to consider a concern; it is different from opting out.
The final approval hearing is scheduled for March 2, 2027, at 10 a.m. Pacific Time in Department 11 of the Los Angeles County Superior Court, 312 N. Spring Street, Los Angeles. Dates can change, so class members should confirm the schedule on the official settlement website.