Dettol takes influencers to court over 'misleading' skin-care claims

Reckitt Benckiser India, the maker of Dettol, has filed a legal case in the Delhi High Court against dermatologist Dr Manjot Marwah and influencers Raj Shamani and Ritik Chaturvedi, accusing them of spreading misleading and defamatory information about Dettol Antiseptic Liquid (DAL). 

The case stems from a viral podcast episode and Instagram reel, both suggesting that Dettol is unsafe for skin use—a claim Reckitt has strongly denied.

The episode titled "Skin Mistakes You Didn't Know! Tanning & Sunburn EXPOSED," published on April 1, featured Dr Marwah referring to Dettol as a “floor cleaner” and warning that it could “burn wounds and delay healing”. 

A follow-up reel posted on April 5, captioned: “Never Use Dettol on your Skin”, amplified the message. Given Dr Marwah’s substantial following of over 780,000 users on Instagram, the content quickly gathered traction.

In its plea, Reckitt highlighted that Dettol has been a licensed skin antiseptic in India since 1936, classified legally as a drug. The company argued that the influencers’ statements were not just factually incorrect but also damaging to a brand built over decades. 

The counsel underscored the viral nature of the content, noting that the video and reel had reached millions of users in just a few days — enough to spark widespread misinformation.

Dr Marwah reportedly cited a Philippines FDA report to back her claims, but Reckitt countered that Dettol is not sold in that country by its affiliate, making the reference inapplicable to the Indian market.

The Delhi High Court has yet to pass any restraining order, instead allowing the defendants time to reply. Justice Saurabh Banerjee acknowledged that a medical professional is entitled to voice an opinion, but said it was unclear if the comments legally qualified as disparagement. The hearing will resume on April 8.

This incident comes amid a rising tide of content regulation debates in India’s influencer economy. As creators increasingly shape consumer trust and brand narratives, their accountability is coming under legal and public scrutiny. 

Brands like Dettol — long considered household names — are now finding themselves in the middle of fast-paced digital storms, where misinformation can undo years of credibility overnight.