Avon^® Talc Powder Lawsuits Push Company to Bankruptcy

Avon Product Inc.’s recent talc bankruptcy marks a major turning point for a beauty brand once trusted in households across America. For decades, Avon® sold talc-based powders that many women used daily.

But mounting lawsuits now allege that these products contained asbestos, a known carcinogen, and may have caused serious illnesses like mesothelioma and ovarian cancer in tens of thousands of people.

As the number of claims has grown, so has the financial pressure, ultimately pushing Avon’s former parent company into a bankruptcy process aimed at resolving these cases collectively.

For families affected by asbestos-related diseases, Avon Product’s bankruptcy offers accountability and a path forward. Instead of navigating individual lawsuits against a multinational corporation, victims may soon be able to seek compensation through a more streamlined claims system.

What Happened in the Avon Bankruptcy?

In August 2024, Avon Products filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. The decision came after years of talc lawsuits alleging that asbestos-contaminated talc in Avon’s cosmetic products caused serious cancers.

By December 2024, Avon had negotiated a settlement with its parent company Natura &Co to facilitate the sale of substantially all of Avon’s assets outside the U.S. back to Natura — a deal that closed on December 10, 2024. Over the subsequent year, Avon worked through its Chapter 11 reorganization.

The structured resolution of its talc-related claims via Chapter 11 included a global settlement, asset sale, and creation of a liquidation trust. This reorganizes the company’s debts and obligations while addressing the harm their products cause now and in the future.

Now, the legal system may require Avon to address thousands of claims in one coordinated process, which could result in an asbestos trust to pay current and future victims.

About the Avon Talc Lawsuits

Avon has been named in hundreds of talc-related lawsuits — nearly 400 as of its Chapter 11 filing. Since 2010, the company has reportedly spent over $225 million defending itself and making settlement payouts tied to talc claims.

Some verdicts against Avon were especially costly. For instance, in 2022 a jury awarded $52.1 million to a woman after finding that asbestos-contaminated Avon talc caused mesothelioma. In 2024, mesothelioma lawyers in our network secured $24.4 million for Cipriano Ramirez in a Chicago talc lawsuit against Avon.

“No amount can give Mr. Ramirez his health back, but we are so proud of how hard this jury worked to hold Avon accountable on his family’s behalf.”

– Jennifer Alesio, Partner at Simmons Hanly Conroy

By the time Avon filed for bankruptcy, the company had already dismissed 197 talc claims and settled 350 others.

Avon Talc Powder Products

The company behind Avon sold many cosmetics and body-care items over the years that contained talc — often in the form of powders, body dusts, and compact makeup. Some of Avon’s talc-based products from the past include well-known names that households may still remember.

Avon products with talc include:

• Avon Bird of Paradise Perfumed Talc Powder
• Avon Imari Perfumed Talc Powder
• Avon Night Magic Talcum Powder
• Avon Skin So Soft Satin Talc Powder
• Avon Unforgettable Perfumed Talc Powder
• Avon Wild Country Talc Powder
• Avon Timeless Body Powder
• Avon Pearls & Lace Talc Powder

Because asbestos-related diseases take 10 to 50 years to develop, many people who used talcum powder products may only now be getting sick. Even if you used these products decades ago, you still qualify to take legal action and seek compensation for your illness.

Do Avon Products Still Contain Talc?

In 2020, Avon removed talc from its products in the United States, ending decades of selling talc-based cosmetics and personal care items domestically. This decision came after years of litigation and public concern over asbestos contamination in talc powders.

While current U.S. products no longer contain talc, older “legacy” powders remain the focus of lawsuits, as these are the items that potentially exposed consumers to asbestos decades ago. The company’s removal of talc reflects both regulatory pressures and consumer safety concerns.

However, this change does not necessarily apply to international markets, where talc might still be present in on-the-shelf products. Many health advocates are skeptical of this decision and wonder why the company would choose to continue putting millions of other cosmetic users at risk.

Find an Avon Talc Lawyer Near You

At LawFirm.com, we can connect you with top mesothelioma lawyers and talcum powder attorneys across the country who can fight on your behalf.

Our legal network boasts:

• Billions of dollars secured across all 50 states
• No upfront charges, hourly fees, or out-of-pocket costs
• Thousands of clients successfully helped

Call (888) 726-9160 right now or get a free case review to find an Avon talc lawyer near you. We’re available 24/7 to help you understand your options and find skilled representation.