Recently, a new class action lawsuit claims that Algenist misleads consumers by marketing its skincare products as containing collagen, when they allegedly do not. Filed in November in New York federal court, the lawsuit accuses Algenist LLC and its parent company, Tengram Capital Partners LP, of deceptive practices in violation of state and federal consumer protection laws.
The plaintiff, Adelina Pepenella, argues that Algenist’s popular “Genius” line—specifically products like Genius Sleeping Collagen and Genius Liquid Collagen—prominently advertise “collagen” on their front labels, leading consumers to believe the products contain real, animal-derived collagen known for its anti-aging benefits. Instead, the complaint alleges, the products use a plant-based alternative made from corn, soy, and wheat protein fibers.
Although Algenist acknowledges on its website that its plant-derived compound is designed to mimic the function and structure of collagen, Pepenella claims this distinction is not made clear on the product packaging. As a result, consumers are allegedly misled into paying premium prices for what they believe is genuine collagen.
Pepenella says she would not have purchased the products—or would have paid less—had she known they did not contain actual collagen. She is seeking to represent a nationwide class of affected consumers, along with a subclass in New York, and is requesting damages as well as an order requiring Algenist to revise its labeling practices.
This case mirrors a similar recent lawsuit filed against the Pixi beauty brand, which also faced claims over misleading collagen labeling involving plant-based substitutes.
