People who bought Dove Vitality Renewal Firming Body Wash may be covered by a proposed class action alleging Unilever markets it “with Collagen” when its only collagen ingredient is a plant-derived “Vegetable Collagen” that the suit says is not collagen at all. No class has been certified and there is nothing to file yet.
Allegations Only · No Settlement Yet
This article describes a class action complaint. The statements below are unproven allegations. Unilever United States, Inc. has not been found liable, there is no certified class, and nothing to claim at this time. This page is informational and is not legal advice.
What Is This About?
A New York shopper filed a proposed class action against Unilever United States, Inc., which makes Dove products, on July 31, 2026 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York. The case is Fitzgerald v. Unilever United States, Inc., No. 1:26-cv-01488.It concerns one product, Dove Vitality Renewal Firming Body Wash. The front label reads “4% Restoring Serum with Collagen,” and the complaint says online listings show “Collagen” in a “what’s in it” graphic and describe the wash as made with ingredients inspired by face care, including collagen. The ingredient list on the back, the complaint says, shows only “Vegetable Collagen.” Unilever has not responded to the claims in court, and none of them have been proven.
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Why the Lawsuit Says “Vegetable Collagen” Is Not Collagen
The case rests on a basic biology point. The complaint says collagen is a structural protein found only in humans and animals, mainly in skin, bones, tendons and cartilage, and that plants do not make it. On that view, a plant-derived ingredient cannot be collagen, and the complaint calls the phrase “vegetable collagen” a contradiction in terms.The complaint argues that shoppers who see “with Collagen” on the front of the bottle expect the animal protein that other cosmetics use, and pay more for it. It says other collagen products on the market do contain animal-derived collagen, and that using a plant substitute is cheaper for Unilever.
The complaint also says the plaintiff’s lawyers sent Unilever a written notice and demand for corrective action in August 2025, and that the label has not changed.
The Earlier Collagen Case It Relies On
The complaint leans on Kandel v. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare, LLC, a 2024 Southern District of New York decision that let claims proceed over “C+Collagen” skincare the plaintiffs said contained no collagen. The Dove complaint quotes that decision’s statement that collagen is “a protein found exclusively in humans and animals.” The Kandel case later settled without a finding of wrongdoing; OCA covered the $9.2 million Dr. Dennis Gross C+Collagen settlement. A separate pending suit makes a similar claim about Gold Bond Plumping Collagen lotion.Who Is in the Proposed Class?
The complaint proposes subclasses of people who bought the body wash for personal, family or household use, not for resale, in each of 32 jurisdictions: New York, the District of Columbia, and Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia and Washington.The claims are brought under New York General Business Law sections 349 and 350, each listed state’s consumer protection law, breach of express warranty and unjust enrichment. The complaint seeks compensatory, statutory and punitive damages, plus restitution. OCA’s guide to New York General Business Law 349 and 350 explains the New York statutes.
What Happens Next?
The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino and Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Stewart. Unilever has not yet answered, and the court has not ruled on whether the claims can go forward. There is no settlement, no certified class and no claim form.Questions
What is “vegetable collagen”?
It is the plant-derived ingredient listed on the Dove Vitality Renewal body wash label. The complaint says collagen is a structural protein found only in humans and animals, so a plant-based ingredient cannot be collagen, and calls the term “vegetable collagen” a contradiction.
Which Dove product is in the lawsuit?
One product: Dove Vitality Renewal Firming Body Wash, whose front label reads “4% Restoring Serum with Collagen.” The complaint also points to online listings that show “Collagen” among the ingredients.
Who is covered by the Dove collagen lawsuit?
The complaint proposes separate subclasses of personal-use buyers in New York, the District of Columbia and 30 other states, among them California, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. No class has been certified.
Is there any money to claim from the Dove collagen lawsuit?
No. There is no settlement, certified class or claim form. If the case settles or a class is certified, class members would be notified of any way to take part.
Sources
• Class Action Complaint — Fitzgerald v. Unilever United States, Inc., U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York, Case No. 1:26-cv-01488 (filed July 31, 2026), via CourtListener: Complaint (PDF)• Dove, Vitality Renewal Firming Body Wash product page: Dove.com
