In a high-profile clash between two leading skincare brands, Hindustan Unilever Limited’s (HUL) Lakmé and Honasa Consumer Ltd’s Mamaearth have found themselves in the spotlight over a controversial sunscreen campaign. At the heart of the dispute lies Lakmé’s “SPF Lie Detector Test” campaign, which raised questions around the veracity of SPF 50 claims made by certain online-only brands — a move that Mamaearth saw as a direct attack on its product, The Derma Co sunscreen.
The campaign, designed to promote transparency and accountability in sun protection, implied that some digital-first brands may be misleading consumers with exaggerated SPF claims. In response, Mamaearth co-founder Ghazal Alagh publicly criticized Lakmé on social media, accusing the brand of both disparagement and mimicking the packaging of The Derma Co. The conflict escalated with a legal intervention in the Delhi High Court.
In a significant development, the Honourable Delhi High Court has ruled that Lakmé may continue its Sun Superiority Campaign, provided certain modifications are made. The court did not issue any injunction against the campaign. As part of the mutual resolution, Honasa has also agreed to withdraw all its critical social media posts across platforms.
Following the ruling, Hindustan Unilever released an official statement reaffirming Lakmé’s commitment to scientific integrity and consumer well-being. “We respect the outcome to continue with our Sun Superiority Campaign with some modifications. This demonstrates the pivotal need for raising awareness around SPF efficacy, transparency, and accountability in the sun care category, keeping consumer interest and safety at the core,” the statement read.
Lakmé emphasized its long-standing dedication to science-led innovation, claiming over a decade of SPF efficacy and safety testing in line with globally accepted protocols. The brand highlighted the importance of accurate SPF labeling, pointing out that independent lab tests have revealed some products in the market fail to meet their stated claims — posing potential skin health risks like pigmentation, ageing, and dark spots.
The brand also took a firm stand on its role in setting new industry benchmarks, saying, “At Lakmé, we will continue to reaffirm our unflinching commitment to integrity, consumer safety, and scientific excellence, and be a leading voice to advocate for transparency and higher standards in skincare.”
While the dispute stirred conversations about competitive advertising and brand ethics, it has also brought to light the critical issue of SPF claim accuracy — a matter of genuine public concern in the skincare industry. With both brands agreeing to tone down the rhetoric and focus on their respective missions, this resolution could pave the way for more responsible brand communication in the future.
