Collins Interviewed by Cosmetics Design Regarding Vegan Collagen Marketing

Shawn Collins was interviewed by Cosmetics Design USA regarding the legal risks personal care brands face when marketing products with terms like “vegan collagen.” As class action scrutiny grows around such claims, Collins cautions that companies must avoid implying equivalency with animal-derived collagen unless they have scientific backing.

“Brands should not be using wording, pictures, or any graphics in connection with ‘vegan collagen’ that suggests or implies it is as effective as real collagen, unless they have the science and data to back that up,” said Collins.

Shawn points to recent rulings that show courts remain divided. While one case (Nguyen v. Algenist) was dismissed for failing to prove ineffectiveness, another (Lopez v. L’Oréal) moved forward because the product labeling implied comparable performance to real collagen.

Though some argue that terms like “vegan collagen” should be treated like “almond milk” or “vegan burger,” Collins notes that courts haven’t yet embraced that reasoning in the cosmetics context. He advises brands to use clear disclaimers and accurate language to avoid litigation exposure, not just for collagen, but also for increasingly litigated terms like “plant-based,” “clean,” and “non-toxic.”

“At the end of the day, it’s not about avoiding terms like ‘vegan collagen,’” Collins said. “It’s about making sure that when you use them, you’re telling the whole truth.”