If you purchased Thinx Period Underwear, you may be entitled to some money back in a class action settlement.
Thinx is a brand that sells period-proof underwear that are designed to be super absorbent — so you can wear them instead of, or in addition to, pads or tampons.
In May 2022 a class action lawsuit was filed against Thinx, in which the brand was accused of having harmful chemicals in their underwear. Thinx admits no wrongdoing but has settled the case by paying their customers $5 million.
Here’s everything to know about the Thinx lawsuit and if you’re eligible for a payout with the class action settlement.
Thinx was accused of deceptive advertising — but not of causing any physical harm.
According to the class action complaint, customers say that the company falsely advertised their period-proof underwear as being safe and free of harmful chemicals. An attorney representing the plaintiffs says that the case is focused on the company’s marketing and not on any personal injury claims related to the product.
The attorney said that customers would not have bought the product if they knew it contained harmful chemicals like polyfluoroalkyl substances (‘PFAS’) — “which are a safety hazard to the female body and the environment.”
According to the class action settlement, going forward Thinx will:
- Take measures to help ensure that PFAS aren’t intentionally added to Thinx Period Underwear products and will maintain reviews to ensure this.
- Continue to have suppliers of raw materials for Thinx Period Underwear review and sign a Supplier Code of Conduct and Chemical Supplier Agreement declaring that PFAS are not intentionally added to Thinx Period Underwear.
- Disclose the use of antimicrobial treatments on their website and will not to refer to the antimicrobial components of Agion as “nonmigratory.”
Thinx is accused of containing ‘forever chemicals.’
Some of the chemicals allegedly found in Thinx period underwear are “forever chemicals” or “long-chain” chemicals, often called PFAS. The full long-term impacts of PFAS exposure aren’t yet known and are still being studied.
The CDC says that PFAS are pretty much everywhere and can stick around in our bodies if we’re exposed to them a lot. They can be found in blood, food, and the environment. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease also mentions that being exposed to PFAS can lead to some health problems like kidney cancer, higher cholesterol, and even make vaccines less effective.
Which Thinx Period Underwear products are part of the settlement?
The settlement includes Thinx Period Underwear products purchased between Nov. 12, 2016, and Nov. 28, 2022. The specific Thinx Period Underwear settlement cuts include:
- Boyshort
- Cheeky
- Cotton Bikini
- Cotton Brief
- Cotton Thong
- French Cut
- Hi-Waist
- Hiphugger
- Sport
- Thong
You’ll get $7 per qualifying Thinx product with the settlement.
Filing a claim as part of the Thinx Period Underwear class action can get you a refund of $7 per Thinx Period Underwear product purchased during the class period of Nov. 12, 2016, to Nov. 28, 2022, for up to three products ($21) with proof of purchase. If you don’t have proof of purchase, you can get a refund of $3.50 per product purchased within the class period for up to three products ($10.50).
You can also choose instead to receive a voucher for 35% off future purchases of up to $150 of Eligible Voucher Products in a single transaction at thinx.com for a maximum discount of $52.50. The voucher can be used on the following Thinx items:
- Air Bikini
- Air Hiphugger
- Boyshort
- Cheeky
- French Cut
- Heavy Boyshort
- Heavy Hi-Waist
- Heavy Hiphugger
- Hiphugger
- Modal Cotton Bikini
- Modal Cotton Boyshort
- Modal Cotton Brief
- Modal Cotton Thong
- Modal Heavy Cotton Brief
- Modal Super Cotton Brief
- Sport
- Super Hi-Waist
- Super Hiphugger
- Thong
The deadline to file a claim in the Thinx settlement is April 12, 2023.
If you’re eligible to file a claim, you can file online here. If you’d prefer to file by mail, you can download a form here or request one by phone by calling 1-888-501-8492 to request a form be sent to you. Claims must be filed online or postmarked by April 12, 2023.
If Thinx has a record of your purchase within the class period, you’ll receive an email or a postcard in the mail with your claim number and a PIN that you can use to autofill the online claim form.
If you aren’t in Thinx’s record, you’ll have to supply proof of purchase or testify under penalty of perjury that you did, in fact, buy the eligible products during the class period.
You’ll get paid in summer 2023 at the earliest.
A final hearing in the Thinx class action settlement is slated for May 24, 2023. If a judge approves of the settlement and the settlement is not appealed, you can expect payments or vouchers to be distributed following that date. For more information, check ThinxUnderwearSettlement.com.
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