Dove™ SkinVitalizer - Facial Cleansing Massager
CPSC Recall #06-098 — February 27, 2006
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 06-098 |
| Recall Date | February 27, 2006 |
| Remedy Type | Refund |
| Units Affected | About 438,000 units (about 50,000 of which have been purchased by consumers) |
| Manufactured In | China |
Where It Was Sold
| Discount department |
| drug and grocery stores nationwide during February 2006 for about $10. |
Product
Dove™ SkinVitalizer - Facial Cleansing Massager
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Unilever, of Trumbull, Conn. is recalling about 438,000 Dove™ SkinVitalizer Facial Cleansing Massagers. The cleansing pillows on this device can loosen or dislodge during use and then the SkinVitalizer can cause minor scratches to the skin.Name of Product: Dove™ SkinVitalizer - Facial Cleansing MassagerUnits: About 438,000 units (about 50,000 of which have been purchased by consumers)Distributor: Unilever, of Trumbull, Conn.Hazard: The cleansing pillows on this device can loosen or dislodge during use and then the SkinVitalizer can cause minor scratches to the skin.Incidents/Injuries: Unilever has received 33 reports of cleansing pillows from the SkinVitalizer falling off of the device. Unilever has received nine reports of consumers who have experienced minor scratches while using the product. No serious injuries have been reported.Description: The recall involves a white hand-held Facial Cleansing Massager wand that is intended for use with Dove Cleansing Pillows. When turned on, the unit vibrates. This notice applies to all units and all codes of the SkinVitalizer. No other Dove products or Dove Facial Cleansing pillows are involved in this recall.Sold at: Discount department, drug and grocery stores nationwide during February 2006 for about $10.Manufactured in: ChinaRemedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the product and contact Unilever for information on receiving a full refund. Unilever will provide all shipping charges for returned SkinVitalizer units.Consumer Contact: Contact Unilever at (800) 896-9479 anytime, or visit the firm's Web site www.dove.com.
Hazard
The cleansing pillows on this device can loosen or dislodge during use and then the SkinVitalizer can cause minor scratches to the skin.
Incidents & Injuries
Unilever has received 33 reports of cleansing pillows from the SkinVitalizer falling off of the device. Unilever has received nine reports of consumers who have experienced minor scratches while using the product. No serious injuries have been reported.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should immediately stop using the product and contact Unilever for information on receiving a full refund. Unilever will provide all shipping charges for returned SkinVitalizer units.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Refund at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly — either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Refund) at no cost to you.
Yes. If you were injured by a defective consumer product — whether recalled or not — you may have grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer and potentially the retailer. A recall notice can serve as evidence that the manufacturer was aware of the defect. Injuries that may support a claim include burns, lacerations, fractures, electric shock, choking incidents, and chemical exposure. Most product liability attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless you win. Consult an attorney promptly, as statutes of limitation vary by state.
In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.
If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney — parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.