About Leaf & Lab

Essential oils are included in many of our formulations for several reasons:

• Natural preservation support: Some essential oils possess antimicrobial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties. They help to inhibit microbial growth and oxidative damage, which means we need fewer synthetic preservatives. While they can’t always fully replace preservatives, they allow us to reduce reliance on harsh chemical additives, making the product gentler on skin.
  
• Therapeutic benefits: Beyond preservation, essential oils bring benefits such as a pleasant aroma, soothing or stimulating sensory experience, and sometimes skin-supportive qualities (e.g. calming, balancing).
  
• Clean/natural appeal: Many customers are seeking alternatives to synthetic chemicals. Essential oils align with that desire: they are plant-derived, recognisably botanical.
  

Using essential oils instead of (or as part of) preservation helps balance product safety, shelf-life, skin compatibility, and natural credentials.

“Perfume” or fragrance is included for several reasons:

• Sensory experience: A good fragrance makes using the product more pleasurable. It enhances the ritual of skin-/body-care: it’s not just about what it does for your skin, but also how it makes you feel.
  
• Masking natural scents: Some natural ingredients have strong or unpleasant smells; fragrance helps to mask or harmonise these so the product is more pleasant.
  
• Brand identity: Signature scents can help define a product/brand identity, making them memorable.
  

We strive to use fragrance that goes well with our other ingredients. Depending on the formulation, this might be from essential oils, natural aroma compounds, or carefully selected fragrance blends that are skin-safe, non-irritating, and compliant with regulations.

Our formulations typically contain 70-95% organic ingredients. Achieving 100% organic certification requires every ingredient to be certified organic, which faces practical limitations:

• Ingredient availability & performance: Some ingredients with beneficial performance (stability, texture, efficacy) either don’t have certified organic versions or the organic versions are not available in sufficient quality or quantity. Sometimes non-organic but naturally derived ingredients offer better consistency, safer profiles, or better stability.
  
• Cost & sustainability constraints: Organic certification adds cost, not just in growing ingredients, but in verifying, transporting, storing, and processing. To keep products affordable while maintaining quality, a blend of organic and non-organic ingredients is often more practical.
  
• Regulatory restrictions & safety: Some non-organic, synthetically derived ingredients are well-researched, safe, and needed to meet safety or preservative requirements (e.g. to prevent spoilage).
  

While we aim to include as many organic ingredients as feasible, full organic content can compromise things like shelf life, texture, or cost.

Our products are typically 85-98% natural, with remaining ingredients being naturally-derived or nature-identical compounds necessary for:

• Safety, stability, and effectiveness: Some synthetic or semi-synthetic ingredients are used because natural alternatives may degrade too quickly, may be unstable, may cause spoilage, or may be less effective (e.g. certain emulsifiers, preservatives, or actives).
  
• Regulatory compliance: To protect users, products must be preserved to avoid harmful microbial growth. Sometimes this requires ingredients that are not “natural” strictly speaking. Also, certain textures, scents, and performance characteristics are only achievable (or only reliably achieved) with non-natural components.
  
• Batch consistency and quality control: Natural ingredients can vary hugely in composition depending on harvest, climate, soil etc. Using some non-natural or lab-assisted (but safe) components helps ensure consistency, safety, and efficacy across batches.
  

We try to maximise the natural content wherever possible, and always prioritise safety and performance.

Instead of synthetic retinol, we use clinically proven natural alternatives that provide similar anti-aging benefits without potential irritation:

Natural Retinol Alternatives:

• Bakuchiol - Plant-derived with clinical anti-aging efficacy
• Rosehip Oil - Rich in natural vitamin A compounds
• Sea Buckthorn - Contains natural vitamin A and antioxidants
• Plant-based Vitamin A derivatives - Gentle alternatives for sensitive skin

Advantages:

• Suitable for sensitive skin types
• Safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding
• Compatible with sun exposure
• No irritation or adjustment period required
• Aligned with natural and organic certification standards

Yes, all products are vegan and cruelty-free. No animal-derived ingredients are used in the formulations, and no animal testing is conducted on any products or ingredients.

We try to use recyclable, upcycled or sustainably sourced packaging where possible. We avoid unnecessary plastic or packaging waste.

88% of the total cardboard used was made of recycled materials.

100% Biodegradable formulas

We formulate with ingredients known to support skin health — soothing agents, anti-oxidants, moisturisers. While we cannot guarantee cure or solution, many of our customers see improvements, and we provide clear information so you can choose what aligns best with your needs.

Yes, ourformulations are specifically designed with sensitive skin in mind. The naturaland organic ingredients are typically gentler than synthetic alternatives, and
the absence of common irritants like parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrances,
and harsh chemicals makes them suitable for most skin types, including sensitive skin.

Most of our products have a shelf life of 3-24 months when stored properly in a cool, dry place. The natural preservation system ensures product safety throughout this period.

Since our products use natural alternatives to potentially problematic ingredients like
retinol, most are safe for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. However, we
always recommend consulting with your healthcare provider before introducing
new skincare products during these periods.

Our products meet various natural and organic certification standards, including
ECOCERT and COSMOS certifications where applicable. These certifications ensure
that our products meet strict guidelines for natural and organic cosmetics, including ingredient sourcing, manufacturing processes, and environmental sustainability.

ECOCERT is an international organic certification organization based in France. It is one of the largest and most respected certification bodies in the world. ECOCERT focuses on the certification of organic agricultural products and sustainable practices. Here’s a breakdown of what ECOCERT stands for:

Organic Certification: ECOCERT certifies products that meet strict organic standards, ensuring they are free from synthetic chemicals, GMOs, and other harmful substances. This applies to food, cosmetics, textiles, and more.

• Sustainable Practices: Beyond organic farming, ECOCERT also certifies products and companies that follow sustainable practices, such as fair trade, environmental conservation, and responsible resource management.
• Global Reach: While it started in France, ECOCERT now operates in over 130 countries, making it a globally recognized and trusted certification.

COSMOS stands for COSMetic Organic and Natural Standard. It is a standard developed by five leading certification bodies – including ECOCERT – to unify organic and natural cosmetic standards across Europe and beyond. Here’s what you need to know about COSMOS:

• Unified Standard: COSMOS provides a single, unified standard for organic and natural cosmetics, ensuring consistency and transparency for consumers worldwide.
• Certification Types: COSMOS offers two types of certification:COSMOS Organic: For products that contain a high percentage of organic ingredients.COSMOS Natural: For products that may not meet the organic criteria but still adhere to strict natural ingredient guidelines.
• Comprehensive Criteria: The COSMOS standard covers the entire lifecycle of a cosmetic product, including sourcing of ingredients, manufacturing processes, packaging, and labeling, ensuring they are environmentally friendly and safe for consumers.

Leaf & Lab is committed to creating skincare products that are not only effective but also friendly to the skin and our environment.

The Heart of Leaf & Lab: Active Ingredients

The very essence of Leaf & Lab products lies in the active ingredients sourced from flowers and herbs from the Baltic meadows and forests. The unique natural environment of the Baltic region contributes to the potency of these ingredients.

Unique Blossoming Vigour

The northern summers in the Baltic region are much shorter, compelling plants to concentrate their blossoming vigour in a brief period. As a result, at the time of harvest, these plants are rich in the active ingredients required to survive in harsh climates.

Philosophy

We believe that all skincare on the planet should be done right, effective yet friendly to the skin and our environment.

Combining Nature and Science

Leaf & Lab marries nature with science to create game-changing products. We harness powerful plant actives to deliver real results.

Certification

Most of our products are Natural and Organic Certified according to the international COSMOS standard by ECOCERT Greenlife, nourishing both the skin and senses.

Conclusion

Leaf & lab products stand out for their unique blend of natural active ingredients, scientific innovation, and commitment to sustainability.

1. What kind of alcohol is used in organic cosmetics?

In certified natural cosmetics, only natural ethyl alcohol (also known as ethanol, food grade alcohol, pure alcohol, or grain alcohol) is permitted. It is derived from fermented plant sources such as wheat, rye, corn, or sugarcane.

Note: While many substances in chemistry are called "alcohols" (like glycerine or menthol), not all have the same properties. This FAQ focuses on ethyl alcohol.

2. Does alcohol dry out the skin?

No. Contrary to popular belief, scientific studies show that alcohol does not cause transepidermal water loss (i.e., it doesn’t strip moisture from the skin).

In fact, alcohol-based hand rubs were shown to be gentler on the skin than soap and water, making them preferable from a dermatological perspective.

3. Does alcohol irritate the skin?

No. Extensive research shows minimal to no skin irritation from ethanol, even at very high concentrations (up to 100%).

Even surgical spirits (70–80% ethanol) have a long history of safe use on skin, with very low irritant potential.

4. Can alcohol cause allergic reactions?

No. While alcohol may cause a temporary burning sensation on pre-irritated skin, it does not trigger allergic reactions.
So far, no confirmed cases of true alcohol allergy have been found in scientific literature.

5. Does alcohol absorb into the skin?

No. Multiple studies confirm that ethanol does not significantly absorb into the bloodstream when applied to the skin.
This is due to its high volatility (it evaporates quickly) and its chemical structure, which makes skin absorption difficult.

6. Do alcohol-containing products damage the skin?

No. Unlike other preservatives, alcohol evaporates in seconds after application, with a half-life of just 11.7 seconds.

This minimizes skin exposure and reduces any risk of long-term damage. In fact, alcohol is less toxic than many common synthetic preservatives used in skincare.

7. Is alcohol suitable for sensitive or dry skin?

Yes. When used in the low concentrations typical in organic cosmetics, alcohol is safe for all skin types, including sensitive and dry skin.

For combination or oily skin, alcohol may even offer benefits by helping to cleanse and regulate oil production.

8. What are the benefits of alcohol in cosmetics?

• Natural preservative: Keeps the product microbiologically safe
• Enhances absorption: Helps other active ingredients penetrate deeper
• Quick drying: Leaves no residue on the skin
• Gentler than synthetic preservatives: Lower toxicity and less risk of accumulation

Conclusion: Is Alcohol in Cosmetics Safe?

Yes. Scientific evidence strongly supports that ethanol is safe and non-damaging to skin, even at higher concentrations than used in cosmetics.

In natural skincare, it plays a valuable role in preserving products, enhancing effectiveness, and maintaining safety — all without compromising skin health.