RADICAL TRANSPARENCY
At The Lab Co., we are committed to raising integrity in an industry that continues to mislead customers by claiming to be non-toxic and sustainable, when they are anything but. We are the only homecare brand to eliminate all toxins on the Breast Cancer UK A-Z Chemicals of Concern List 2024.
We are here to set a new standard, where pure performance is at the heart of everything we do, from sourcing of our ingredients to our finished formulations.
CUTTING THROUGH THE BS
No more clean-washing or green-washing. We are here to set the record straight on the most commonly mistaken industry claims.
Just because an ingredient is natural doesn’t mean it’s safer. Many natural compounds, including essential oils and plant extracts, can cause skin irritation, allergic reactions, or other health concerns. Think of it this way—you wouldn’t rub nettles on your skin!
On the other hand, synthetic ingredients can often be safer, more sustainable, and higher-performing while also preserving nature’s resources: plants, animals and earth. The assumption that “natural” always means better ignores the precision of well-formulated synthetics, designed to protect you, your home, and the planet.
At The Lab Co., 93–99.5% of our ingredients are natural, but we use carefully chosen synthetics when they offer a safer, non-toxicity alternative.
Our formulations exceed strict global regulations, including International Fragrance Association (IFRA) guidelines. IFRA is the world’s leading authority on fragrance safety, setting science-backed standards to ensure that ingredients used in perfumes and scented products are safe for human health and the environment. By following and surpassing these guidelines, we ensure the highest levels of safety and performance in everything we create.
Terms like natural and clean are not legally regulated globally, meaning brands can market products as such -even if they contain harmful chemicals. Many brands unknowingly use fragrance oils laced with hidden toxins, despite their best intentions.
At The Lab Co., we go beyond labels, taking a science-led approach to ensure every ingredient - both in our formulations and fragrances - meets the highest safety and performance standards.
We are proud that our products are:
- Cruelty-Free & Vegan – Never tested on animals, 100% vegan.
- Plant & Mineral-Based, Biodegradable – 93–99.5% natural ingredients that break down safely.
- Free from Carcinogens & Hormone Disruptors. We ban harmful ingredients like parabens, phosphates, phthalates, formaldehyde-releasing agents, polycyclic musks, macrocyclic musks and more.
- Bespoke Fragrances for Safety & Sustainability – Crafted with real essential oils and safe synthetics to balance performance and eco-friendliness.
- No Direct Petrochemicals – Any necessary synthetics are responsibly sourced and transformed for safety.
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) interfere with hormone function and have been linked to reproductive issues, developmental problems, metabolic disorders, cancer, and neurological concerns.
At The Lab Co., we go beyond IFRA and legal standards, working to ensure our fragrances are crafted with 100% EDC-free essential and safe oils for the best sensorial experience without compromising health or sustainability.
Synthetic musks - macrocyclic and polycyclic - are widely used in fragrances, but concerns about their potential endocrine disruption and bioaccumulation cannot be ignored. These compounds can accumulate in human fat tissues over time, raising long-term health concerns.
As a brand, we take responsibility for creating truly safe formulations. That’s why we have a strict ban on macrocyclic and polycyclic musks and we only partner with factories that share our commitment to high-quality, safe, and sustainable production.
We are proud to ban the following in all formulations and fragrances:
General Ingredient Bans
Ammonia, Bleach, Benzoates & derivatives, Butylphenyl methylpropional (Lilial), Chlorine, Cocoamide DEA, DMDM Hydantoin, Formaldehyde-releasing agents, Microbeads, Petrochemicals (direct use), Phosphates, Silicones, Sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate, Synthetic dyes in all laundry & self-care products, Triclosan and Triclocarban.
Parabens – All Banned
Used as preservatives, parabens may mimic estrogen and have been linked to hormonal disruption.
Phthalates – All Banned
We prohibit phthalates, including those commonly used in fragrance. Examples include: Diethyl Phthalate (DEP), Propanol (CAS 71-23-8), Toluene (CAS 108-88-3) , Undeceth-5 (CAS 34398-01-1) and Vanillyl Butyl Ether (CAS 82654-98-6).
Macrocyclic Musks – All Banned
These are bioaccumulative, some are endocrine disruptors meaning they have been linked to numerous health problems, including breast and prostate cancers, obesity, diabetes, reproductive problems, and developmental effects, and in some cases carcinogenic. Examples include: Brassylate, Cyclopentadecanolide, Ethylene, Globanone, Habanolide and Musk C14.
Polycyclic Musks – All Banned
These are linked to endocrine disruption and gynaecological effects. An example is: Galaxolide
Nitromusks – All Banned
Due to carcinogenic potential and hormone mimicry, all nitromusks are excluded.
Transparency on Trace Ingredients and Sulfates
We do not directly add Benzyl Salicylate (CAS 118-58-1) or Benzyl Benzoate (CAS 120-51-4) to any fragrance. Where trace levels exist (from essential oils or palm-based components), we ensure RSPO-certified sustainable sourcing.
We are sulfate-free in All Purpose Cleaners, Fabric Conditioners and Fabric & Room Sprays. Sulfates (also spelt sulphates) are used only where needed (e.g. foaming detergents), with skin-kind botanicals added for balance. When used, SLS/SLES meet global safety standards
We do not believe in the phrase “done is better than perfect”. In fact, we aim for perfection with all of our products, even if it means they take twice as long to make. We can’t say we’re there yet, but we will never stop aiming for 100%.