Algenist ‘collagen’ skincare claims don’t hold up, class action says

Algenist class action lawsuit overview:

• Who: Plaintiff Adelina Pepenella filed a class action lawsuit against Algenist LLC and Tengram Capital Partners LP.
• Why: Pepenella claims Algenist misleads consumers with its “collagen” skincare products Genius Sleeping Collagen and Genius Liquid Collagen.
• Where: The Algenist class action lawsuit was filed in a New York federal court.

A new nationwide class action lawsuit alleges that Algenist misleads consumers by labeling its skincare products as containing collagen when they do not.

Plaintiff Adelina Pepenella filed the class action complaint against Algenist LLC and Tengram Capital Partners LP on Nov. 15 in New York federal court, alleging violations of state and federal consumer laws.

According to the lawsuit, Algenist markets its Genius skincare products as containing collagen, an animal-derived protein known for its anti-aging benefits. 

However, the plaintiff claims the products actually contain a plant-based imitation of collagen, misleading consumers who believe they are purchasing skincare products with genuine collagen.

Pepenella claims Algenist’s “Genius” line of products, including the Genius Sleeping Collagen and Genius Liquid Collagen, prominently advertise collagen on their front labels. Despite these claims, the products use a compound derived entirely from corn, soy and wheat plant protein fibers, the lawsuit says.

Algenist’s website acknowledges that its plant-based compound is formulated to provide a functional and structural equivalent to animal-derived collagen, but the plaintiff argues that this is not made clear to consumers on the product labels.

Algenist misleads customers to charge higher prices, lawsuit alleges

The lawsuit alleges that Algenist’s deceptive labeling practices have allowed the company to charge a premium for its products, unjustly enriching itself at the expense of consumers. 

Pepenella claims she would not have purchased the products, or would have paid less for them, had she known they did not contain genuine collagen.

The lawsuit claims Algenist’s actions violate consumer protection laws, including New York’s General Business Law and similar statutes in other states. 

The plaintiff is seeking to represent a nationwide class of consumers who purchased Algenist’s products, as well as a subclass of consumers in New York; she is seeking damages for consumers who were allegedly misled by Algenist’s labeling, as well as an order requiring the company to change its labeling practices.

A similar class action was filed against the Pixi beauty brand alleging that its products did not contain any actual collagen but instead used a synthetic plant substitute.

What do you think of the allegations in this Algenist class action lawsuit? Let us know in the comments.

The plaintiffs are represented by Adrian Gucovschi, Benjamin Rozenshteyn and Nathaniel Haim Sari of Gucovschi Rozenshteyn, PLLC.

The Algenist collagen class action lawsuit is Pepenella v. Algenist LLC, et al., Case No. 1:24-cv-08688 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

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