A group of women have launched legal action against deodorant brand Mitchum after claiming its popular roll-on ‘burnt through their skin’.
Last month, social media was flooded with reports from customers who said they had developed agonising rashes and blisters after using a reformulated version of the product.
Pictures showing raw, red armpits were shared across TikTok, Instagram and online forums, with users in tears over the painful welts spreading across their skin.
Mitchum—owned by Revlon—issued an apology and admitted that a ‘change in the manufacturing process’ had caused some batches of eight products to react differently on the skin.
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The affected lines have since been withdrawn from sale.
Now, three women have begun legal action against the beauty giant, claiming they were left with lasting scars and ongoing pain.
One says she was even prescribed antibiotics after developing an infection.
Rachel Cummins, 42, a sales assistant from Surrey, said the 48-hour roll-on, which costs £3.45, left her with deep brown scarring under her left arm after just one use.
Rachel Cummins (pictured), from Surrey, is among the women launching the action against deodorant brand Mitchum
The 42-year-old sales assistant, who had never used Mitchum products before, claimed she was left with deep brown scarring under her left armpit after using the £3.45 ’48-hour 100ml roll-on’ deodorant
She said: ‘I bought two roll-ons instead of my usual brand because they were on offer.
‘But when I used it under both of my armpits before work, I just felt a bit sore for some reason.
‘I just put it down to being something different that I hadn’t tried before and that it would calm down. I certainly didn’t guess the pain that was coming.’
Hours later during her shift, her armpits started burning, became sore and she took painkillers once she arrived home.
She added: ‘I never usually complain or take medicines, so it had to be a bad experience for me to do that. I had only used it the once and it really started stinging and burning, mainly under my left armpit.
‘I also had to use Savlon antiseptic and some Sudocrem. I thought it would just die down on its own.’
But the next day, her symptoms worsened she discovered white blisters forming under her left armpit leaving it ‘red raw’.
Ms Cummins said: ‘The pain was so bad it would get me up and I would have to take strong pain killers to get any sleep.’
Hours after using the deodorant her armpits started burning, became sore and she took painkillers once she arrived home
Mitchum have issued statements apologising to customers and said a change in the manufacturing process’ changed how eight of their products interacted with the skin in some people
‘I couldn’t have anything to touch my under my armpit, I had to wear loose fitting clothing as if anything touched the area, it was pure agony.
‘My left armpit felt like it was on fire as it was hot to the touch and very tender. I didn’t know the damage that had already been done.
‘It was one of the worse pains I have ever had, and you would never expect that from your deodorant.’
After the small white blisters began to ‘pop and ooze’ she attended her local pharmacy and contacted the GP.
‘As soon as I showed her the pictures of my armpits, the doctor said I have got an infection and need antibiotics as well as strong steroid cream immediately,’ she said.
‘I couldn’t believe my deodorant had caused that.’
Despite the burning pain subsiding over the following weeks, she was horrified to discover it had left a deep, dark brown scar.
‘It is horrible to look at, every time I look in the mirror I see it there. I only used the product once and now may have probably been scarred for life,’ she said.
Despite the burning pain subsiding over the following weeks, Rachel Cummins was horrified to discover the deodorant had left a deep, dark brown scar
Last month, Mitchum issued a statement via Instagram apologising to customers for the reactions they may have experienced using the affected products
‘I am going to have an over sensitive left armpit for life.
‘Now I must moisturise it every day and it feels all rough. It’s scary when you can’t rely on the big brands to keep you safe.’
After submitting a complaint to Mitchum’s manufacturer Revlon, she claimed she was sent vouchers allowing her to buy more Mitchum products.
‘I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. They knew how serious the infection was as I had sent them the pictures,’ Ms Cummins said.
‘It was a complete joke and very poor customer service. I was in agony, and they were trying to get me to use their products again.
‘Statements saying sorry simply don’t help with your health. Luckily, I got help when I did as the infections are very serious and it could have spread even more.’
Experts have suggested that the burning, itchy armpits may be due to two specific new ingredients in the eight affected products.
Professor Penny Ward, a pharmaceutical expert at King’s College London, told the Daily Mail: ‘The contents of the ‘new’ format includes acetyl cedrene which has been shown to be an irritant in patch testing as well as vanillin which can also be a skin irritant in some individuals.
Mitchum claimed ‘a change in the manufacturing process of one of our raw materials altered how the product interacts with the skin in some consumers’
‘Generally the irritant chemicals are most likely to be those which are the added fragrances.
‘In general most dermatitis rashes are itchy rather than painful, pain might be an indication of infection and might need treatment with an antibiotic or antifungal cream.’
Ms Cummins contacted specialist lawyers through injurylawyers4u.co.uk who are now managing her claim alongside two other women.
Faulty product specialist, Anna Molloy said: ‘These women have been injured by a simple item in their beauty routine.
‘And some have been badly burnt which left them with scars through no fault of their own.
‘Women have a right to a daily beauty regime free of pain. We are now compiling medical evidence and will be sending claim letters to Mitchum and their representatives.
‘Big companies need to protect their consumers from harm when using their products.’
When approached by the Daily Mail, Mitchum said it did not comment on pending legal matters.
