Paula’s Choice class action alleges products falsely advertised as cruelty-free

Paula’s Choice cruelty-free class action lawsuit overview: 

• Who: Jesse Vargison and Rachael Forbis filed a class action lawsuit against Paula’s Choice LLC. 
• Why: Vargison and Forbis claim Paula’s Choice falsely advertises its skincare products as “cruelty-free” despite allowing animal testing on them so they can be introduced into the consumer marketplace in China. 
• Where: The class action lawsuit was filed in Washington federal court. 

A new Paula’s Choice class action lawsuit alleges the skincare company falsely advertises that its skincare products are “cruelty-free” and not tested on animals anywhere in the world, when the opposite is true. 

Plaintiffs Jesse Vargison and Rachel Forbis’ class action lawsuit claims Paula’s Choice, despite promising the contrary, allows animal testing on a number of its skincare products so that it can gain access to the consumer marketplace in China, where animal testing is mandatory. 

“While portraying itself in the United States as always being cruelty-free, Paula’s Choice opted to import and sell its products in China where testing on animals was mandatory for companies like Paula’s Choice during the class period,” the Paula’s Choice class action states. 

Vargison and Forbis want to represent a nationwide class of consumers who either purchased a Paula’s Choice product directly from the company’s US website since Dec 22, 2009, and no later than March 13, 2023, or through a third-party retailer on or after Dec. 22, 2009. 

Paula’s Choice class action: company breaks promise by allowing animal testing

Vargison and Forbis’ class action lawsuit argue Paula’s Choice is going back on a promise it has been making for more than 28 years — and invalidating its Leaping Bunny certification — by allegedly allowing animal testing on its products. 

“Paula’s Choice claimed it was always cruelty-free and through its Leaping Bunny certification, that it did not conduct animal tests anywhere in the world,” the Paula’s Choice class action says. 

Vargison and Forbis claim Paula’s Choice is guilty of breach of express and implied warranty and of violating the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act and Washington Consumer Protection Act. 

The plaintiffs demand a jury trial and request declaratory and injunctive relief and an award of treble damages for themselves and all class members. 

A similar class action lawsuit filed against John Paul Mitchell Systems last month claims the company falsely advertises that it doesn’t allow animal testing on its products. 

Have you purchased a Paula’s Choice skincare product? Let us know in the comments.

The plaintiffs are represented by Sean R. Matt, Robert B. Carey, Michella A. Kras and Alisa V. Sherbow of Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP.

The Paula’s Choice cruelty-free class action lawsuit is Vargison, et al. v. Paula’s Choice LLC, Case No. 2:24-cv-00342, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington.

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