Cosmetics user sues star for 'misleading consumers'

A woman from East China's Jiangxi Province is suing a movie star for using what she says was false advertising to promote a skincare brand.

Lu Ping, 43, filed a lawsuit against Hong Kong star Carina Lau, who appeared in advertising for Japanese cosmetics brand SK-II, which is owned by Procter & Gamble.

"She should pay for cheating customers with false advertising," said Lu.

Lu saw the advertisement in a fashion magazine in January last year, in which Lau claimed that using the product for four weeks could help "reduce wrinkles by 47 per cent and make you appear 12 years younger."

Lu, who is about the same age as the actress, bought a bottle of the company's skin-tightening, anti-wrinkle facial milk. Twenty-eight days later, she claimed her skin became itchy and she felt a burning sensation.

Last month the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine found chromium and neodymium in nine SK-II products, including the one Lu used. The toxic metals can cause dermatitis and skin rashes. Neodymium can also cause harm to the eyes, lungs and liver. These additives are banned for use in cosmetics in China.

SK-II products were taken off the shelves in China last September and the company was fined 200,000 yuan (US$25,000) for false advertising. But Lu believes that Lau is also to blame.

"I wouldn't have bought it (the product) if she hadn't advertised it," she said.

To fuel Lu's anger, Lau stood behind the products even after they were pulled from stores, saying "there is nothing wrong with the brand" and she would "support SK-II as always."

"Celebrities influence consumers, especially when they are idolized and trusted," said Qiu Baochang, director of the committee for protecting consumers' rights under the Beijing Bar Association. Misleading consumers with false advertisements, Qiu said, is potentially very harmful.

Current regulations and laws do not specify the responsibility of celebrities in cases of false advertising.

Source: China Daily