Dr. Squatch $9 Million “Natural” Labeling Settlement, Check If You Qualify — Guzman, et al. v. Dr. Squatch, LLC, No. 25STCV03523

There’s $9 million on the table if you bought Dr. Squatch soap, shampoo, deodorant, or toothpaste labeled “natural” — and filing takes about five minutes. Dr. Squatch, LLC agreed to the settlement to resolve claims that dozens of its personal care products marketed as “natural” actually contained synthetic ingredients. You have until November 27, 2026, to file a claim.

Dr. Squatch “Natural” Settlement — Key Facts

Settlement Amount	$9,000,000
Claim Deadline	November 27, 2026
Who Qualifies	Anyone in the U.S. who bought a Dr. Squatch product labeled “natural” on the front of the package, Nov. 1, 2018 – Aug. 29, 2026
Estimated Payout	$0.50 per product, up to $12.50 per household (pro-rated if claims exceed the fund)
Proof Required	No — but claims without proof are capped at 5 products; up to 20 products allowed with proof of purchase
Settlement Status	Preliminarily approved; not yet final
Court & Case Number	Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, No. 25STCV03523
Law Alleged	California UCL, FAL, and CLRA
Administrator	Dr. Squatch Settlement Administrator, P.O. Box 1389, Baton Rouge, LA 70821
Official Claim Site	PersonalCareProductsSettlement.com
Last Updated	September 11, 2026

Who Is Dr. Squatch and Why Are They Being Sued for “Natural” Labeling?

Dr. Squatch built its brand on being the rugged, “natural” alternative to mass-market body wash and deodorant — a pitch that let it charge a premium, with the complaint pegging shampoo at roughly $11.99 for 8 ounces. That premium is exactly why the labeling mattered: six plaintiffs across five states say they paid extra specifically because the front of the bottle said “natural,” while the actual ingredient list told a different story.

What Did Dr. Squatch Do, and When?

The lawsuit, filed in February 2025, doesn’t just say the “natural” label was misleading in the abstract — it goes ingredient by ingredient. Deodorants labeled “Natural” contained stearyl alcohol and triethyl citrate, both produced through hydrogenation and chemical synthesis, according to the complaint. Shampoos contained decyl glucoside and sodium cocoyl glutamate, made through chemical condensation reactions, not simply extracted from a plant. Toothpastes contained hydrated silica, synthesized by reacting sodium silicate with sodium hydroxide. None of that, the complaint argues, fits the USDA’s own draft guidance on what counts as “natural” versus “synthetic.”

This kind of case isn’t new — it echoes Breyers’ $8.85 million “Natural Vanilla” settlement, where a food company settled over the gap between a “natural” front label and what was actually in the product. The theory is the same whether it’s ice cream or shampoo: reasonable consumers read “natural” on the front and don’t expect to find a chemistry-class ingredient list on the back.

Dr. Squatch has denied all wrongdoing and maintains its products were properly labeled. The company agreed to settle to avoid the cost and uncertainty of continued litigation and trial — not as an admission that it broke the law.

Who Qualifies for the Dr. Squatch “Natural” Settlement?

Here’s exactly how to know if this case includes you.

• Anyone in the United States who purchased a Dr. Squatch product with “natural” on the front label between November 1, 2018, and August 29, 2026
• Covered products include Men’s Natural Bar Soap, Body Wash, Shampoo, Conditioner, Deodorant, Toothpaste, Face Wash, Lotion, Cologne, Beard Oil, Hand Soap, Hand Sanitizer, Lip Balm, Post Shave, Shave Butter, and Wipes
• Purchases from any retailer count — grocery stores, drugstores, big-box stores, or Dr. Squatch’s own website
• One claim per household, regardless of how many people in that household bought the products

You’re excluded if you’re a current or former Dr. Squatch employee, officer, director, or agent, or an immediate family member of one.

Dr. Squatch Buyers Outside California — Are You Still Covered?

Yes. This is a nationwide settlement class, not limited to California residents, even though the case was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court. Anyone in the U.S. who bought a covered product in the class period can file a claim.

Not sure if you qualify for the Dr. Squatch “natural” settlement? A free consultation with a consumer fraud attorney can help before the November 27, 2026, deadline, especially if you’re also tracking Celestial Seasonings’ “All Natural” lawsuit over synthetic ingredients, a similar case that hasn’t settled yet.

How Much Can Dr. Squatch “Natural” Settlement Class Members Get? Up to $12.50 Per Household

Dr. Squatch Payout With Proof of Purchase — Up to $10

If you have receipts or other proof of purchase, you can claim $0.50 per product for up to 20 products — a maximum of $10.

Dr. Squatch Payout Without Proof of Purchase — Up to $2.50

Without proof, you can still claim $0.50 per product for up to 5 products — a maximum of $2.50.

What Pro-Rata Means for Your Dr. Squatch Check

Claims with and without proof are cumulative, so the absolute cap is $12.50 per household (20 products with proof plus 5 without). But that $0.50-per-product rate isn’t guaranteed — if the total value of valid claims submitted is more or less than the $9 million fund allows, the per-product payout adjusts up or down on a pro-rata basis. Payments over $600 may appear on a 1099. Check with a tax professional.

That’s a modest number per person — but it adds up fast across a national customer base, which is exactly why a class action, rather than an individual lawsuit, made sense here.

How to File Your Dr. Squatch Settlement Claim — Step by Step

1. Go to PersonalCareProductsSettlement.com, the official court-approved claim site.
2. Enter your name, mailing address, email, and phone number.
3. List how many covered products you bought — up to 20 with proof of purchase, up to 5 without.
4. Upload proof of purchase if you have it — a receipt or order confirmation showing the product and purchase date.
5. Sign the attestation and submit online, or mail the paper form to the settlement administrator.
6. Watch your email or mail for confirmation, and payment after final court approval.

Takes about 5 minutes online.

Should Dr. Squatch Class Members Opt Out or Object Before October 13, 2026?

What Opting Out of the Dr. Squatch Settlement Actually Means

Opting out means you get no payment from this settlement, but you keep the right to sue Dr. Squatch on your own over the same “natural” labeling claims. Most people should not opt out without talking to a lawyer first. The opt-out deadline is October 13, 2026.

How to Object to the Dr. Squatch Settlement

Objecting means you stay in the settlement class but tell the court in writing why you don’t like the deal. Your objection must include the case name and number, your contact information, and a written statement of your grounds for objecting, mailed to the settlement administrator by October 13, 2026.

Talk to a class action lawsuit attorney before October 13, 2026, if you’re considering either option.

Dr. Squatch “Natural” Settlement — Key Dates, 2026-2027

Milestone	Date
Class action complaint filed	February 10, 2025
Settlement reached / preliminary approval	August 2026
Opt-Out Deadline	October 13, 2026
Objection Deadline	October 13, 2026
Claim Filing Deadline	November 27, 2026
Final Approval Hearing	March 2, 2027
Expected Payment Date	Approximately 111 days after final approval and resolution of any appeals

Dr. Squatch “Natural” Settlement — Frequently Asked Questions, No. 25STCV03523

Do I need a lawyer to file a Dr. Squatch “natural” settlement claim?

 No. The court-appointed Class Counsel is already representing the class, and filing a claim online takes about five minutes without needing your own attorney.

Is the Dr. Squatch settlement legitimate? 

Yes. It’s supervised by the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, and administered by Eisner Advisory Group. The only official claim site is PersonalCareProductsSettlement.com — be wary of any other site claiming to process Dr. Squatch settlement claims.

When will Dr. Squatch settlement payments be sent?

 Payments go out after the court grants final approval at the March 2, 2027, hearing and any appeals are resolved — expect roughly 111 days after that point.

What if I missed the Dr. Squatch claim deadline?

 If November 27, 2026, passes without a claim, you’ll still be bound by the settlement’s terms as a class member but will forfeit your right to a payment.

Will my Dr. Squatch settlement payment go on a 1099?

 Possibly. Payments over $600 may be reported to the IRS. Speak with a tax professional if you receive a payment.

Do I need to prove Dr. Squatch’s products actually harmed me?

 No. This is a false-advertising and consumer-protection case, not a personal injury claim. You don’t need to show illness or harm — just that you bought a covered product during the class period.

How is the $9 million settlement fund being divided?

 Up to one-third ($3 million) goes to Class Counsel’s fees, up to $50,000 covers their costs and expenses, up to $40,000 total goes to the six named plaintiffs as incentive awards, and roughly $475,000 covers notice and administration — the rest funds class member payments.

Sources Used in This Dr. Squatch “Natural” Settlement Article

• Official Settlement Administrator Site — Guzman, et al. v. Dr. Squatch, LLC, Case No. 25STCV03523: https://www.personalcareproductssettlement.com/
• Official Settlement FAQ, Eisner Advisory Group (Settlement Administrator): https://www.personalcareproductssettlement.com/faqs/
• Court Filing — Class Action Complaint, Guzman, et al. v. Dr. Squatch, LLC, Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, filed Feb. 10, 2025 (hosted on the official settlement site): https://www.personalcareproductssettlement.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Guzman-v.-Dr.-Squatch-Class-Action-Complaint.pdf
• Official Claim Form (Print and Mail): https://www.personalcareproductssettlement.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Guzman-v.-Dr.-Squatch-Mail-In-Claim-Form.pdf

Researched and written by Israr Ahmad, legal content researcher and founder of AllAboutLawyer.com. All facts verified against the official settlement administrator’s website and the filed court complaint on September 11, 2026. Last Updated: September 11, 2026.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws vary by state and individual circumstances differ. For advice about your specific situation, consult a qualified attorney.