CASE NAME: SeQuoia King v. Amazon.com Services LLC and Amazon.com, Inc.
CASE NO.: 1:26-cv-1062
JURISDICTION: United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
FILED ON: February 6, 2026
CLASS DEFINITION: All consumers in New York who purchased Amazon Basics Hypoallergenic Body Wash for Sensitive Skin during the applicable statute of limitations period.

SUMMARY:
According to the complaint , the lawsuit alleges that Amazon misled consumers by marketing its Amazon Basics Hypoallergenic Body Wash for Sensitive Skin as “hypoallergenic” and suitable for sensitive skin despite containing fragrance ingredients known to cause allergic reactions. The plaintiff claims that reasonable consumers interpret “hypoallergenic” to mean free from common irritants such as fragrances, and that the product’s labeling and marketing caused consumers to pay a premium for a product that did not meet those expectations.

ALLEGATIONS:
According to the complaint, Amazon manufactures, markets, and sells its Amazon Basics Hypoallergenic Body Wash with prominent front-label claims such as “hypoallergenic,” “dermatologist tested,” and “gentle cleansing.” The lawsuit alleges that these representations are misleading because the product contains “fragrance,” an ingredient widely recognized as a common cause of skin irritation and allergic reactions. Images of the product packaging included in the complaint (see pages 6–7) show that while the front label emphasizes hypoallergenic qualities, the back label discloses the presence of fragrance.

The complaint further alleges that fragrances are among the most frequent triggers of contact dermatitis, a condition that can cause rashes, itching, and other skin reactions. Because fragrance formulations can consist of numerous undisclosed chemicals, consumers cannot determine the specific allergens present. The lawsuit claims that this lack of transparency undermines the “hypoallergenic” representation, which consumers allegedly understand to mean a reduced likelihood of allergic reactions.

The plaintiff, who reportedly suffers from psoriasis, claims she relied on the product’s labeling when purchasing it, believing it would not contain irritants. According to the complaint, she would not have purchased the product or would have paid less for it had she known it contained fragrance ingredients.

Additionally, the lawsuit alleges that Amazon sells a nearly identical body wash product that is not labeled “hypoallergenic,” yet contains the same ingredients, including fragrance (as shown in comparative product images on pages 10–11 of the complaint). The plaintiff claims this demonstrates that the “hypoallergenic” label is a marketing distinction rather than a meaningful difference in formulation.

Based on these allegations, the plaintiff claims Amazon engaged in deceptive and misleading business practices in violation of New York General Business Law §§ 349 and 350. The lawsuit seeks damages, restitution, and other relief on behalf of the proposed class, alleging that consumers were economically injured by paying a premium for a product that did not conform to its advertised qualities.