Azure Skincare Class Action: Vegan Collagen Claims Questioned

Case Overview: A class action lawsuit has been filed against Azure, alleging the company's "Vegan Collagen" products contain a synthetic substitute and falsely represent the product's ingredients.

Consumers Affected: Consumers who purchased Azure skincare products labeled as containing "Vegan Collagen."

Court: U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York

Azure, a cosmetic company, is being accused of misleading its consumers by labeling its products as containing "Collagen," a protein sought after for its skin benefits, while also advertising that their products are vegan. The lawsuit argues the situation is a contradiction because true collagen, an animal-derived protein, cannot be vegan. 

Instead, Azure’s products reportedly contain a synthetic extract from the Acacia seyal tree, known as acacia gum, which mimics collagen but lacks its actual benefits, the lawsuit alleges. Because of Azure’s alleged deceptive marketing, the company has unjustly enriched itself at the expense of consumers, the lawsuit alleges.

Lawsuit Claims Azure Skincare Products Mislead Consumers With False Collagen Claims

New York resident Mazol Nisimova filed the proposed class action lawsuit against the company, alleging a violation of New York business laws. 

Nisimova said she had purchased Azure products, including the "24K Gold & Collagen Firming Sheet Face Mask" and the "Hyaluronic & Collagen Anti-Aging Sheet Face Mask" from local beauty stores in Queens, relying on the company’s claims that these products contained the beneficial animal protein collagen. 

Nisimova believed she was paying a premium for a product that would deliver the anti-aging and skin-enhancing benefits typically associated with collagen, she states. However, after discovering that the products did not contain real collagen, Nisimova said she had been misled and didn’t receive the value she expected from her purchases. 

Had she known the truth, she claims she would not have bought the products or would have paid significantly less.

What Is Collagen And Why Is It Important For Skin Health?

Collagen is the most abundant protein in animals, making up about 30% of the body’s total protein. It provides structure and strength to the skin, muscles, bones, and connective tissues. 

Collagen is crucial for maintaining the integrity of tendons, ligaments, and even the cornea. Its unique fibrous structure is what gives animal tissues their strength and elasticity, and it is this protein that consumers seek in collagen-based beauty products. However, collagen is exclusively found in animals, not plants, making Azure’s "Vegan Collagen" claim misleading, the lawsuit claims.

Collagen has gained immense popularity for its potential anti-aging benefits, particularly for improving skin elasticity and reducing wrinkles. As a result, the market for collagen supplements, cosmetics, and even food products has exploded, with sales projected to exceed $16 billion by 2028.

Consumers are increasingly looking for products that contain real collagen to help maintain youthful skin, hair, and nails. However, the lawsuit claims that Azure has taken advantage of this trend by offering products that contain a plant-based substitute, acacia gum, rather than genuine collagen. 

While acacia gum is commonly used as a thickening agent in cosmetics, it lacks the animal proteins necessary to provide the same benefits as true collagen.

False Advertising Lawsuits Target Companies For Misleading Product Claims

Azure is not the only company facing legal action over misleading product claims. Skincare brand Pixi is also embroiled in a class action lawsuit for allegedly misrepresenting its products as containing collagen. 

Similarly, Bigelow Tea is facing a lawsuit over its "Made in the USA" claim, as the tea leaves are grown and processed overseas. LuxClub Inc., a bedding company, is under scrutiny for allegedly deceptive advertising about their bamboo sheets, which are primarily made from viscose and microfiber rather than the eco-friendly materials consumers are led to believe they’re buying. 

In the Azure false collagen class action lawsuit, Nisimova wants to represent Pixi consumers from across the country. She is suing for alleged violations of New York and other state business laws and is seeking damages, interest, fees, and costs.

Case Details

• Lawsuit: Nisimova v. Klar & Co LLC, 
• Case No.: 1:24-cv-05849-BMC
• Court: U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York

Plaintiffs' Attorneys

• Adrian Gucovschi, Benjamin Rozenshteyn, and Nathaniel Haim Sari (Gucovschi Rozenshteyn, PLLC)

Have you ever been misled by misleading claims on skincare products or other goods? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.