Sustainability Over Scent: The Quiet Sustainability of Le Labo

White Rock, By Mark

(October 19, 2025)

The world’s favourite minimalist perfume brand, Le Labo, is proving that smelling good and doing good can actually go hand in hand, though it’s still learning how to walk the eco-talk.

Famous for cult scents like Santal 33 and its “freshly blended in-store” vibe, Le Labo has been making waves with its sustainability moves. The brand now lets customers refill their perfume bottles at select boutiques, a rare move in luxury beauty. That means fewer bottles in the trash and more Santal-spritzed fans feeling guilt-free. Its no-frills glass bottles and soy-based candles give off serious eco-chic energy, proving that sustainability can smell just as good as success. And because each bottle is hand-blended, Le Labo avoids mass production waste, keeping things small-batch, slow, and stylish.

But before you crown Le Labo the savior of sustainable scent, there’s a catch (or two).

Ingredient lists aren’t totally transparent, not every product is vegan, and its cruelty-free status gets murky thanks to its parent company, Estée Lauder, which operates in countries that may require animal testing. And while the brand loves to talk about craftsmanship, it hasn’t said much about carbon emissions or supply chain impact , the kind of behind-the-scenes details sustainability nerds care about.

Still, compared to most luxury perfume houses, Le Labo is ahead of the pack. Refillable bottles? Check. Minimal waste? Check. Timeless scents that double as Instagram décor? Double check. So, while Le Labo might not be the eco-hero we sprayed for, it’s definitely one of the most conscious players in the luxury fragrance world. Think of it as that effortlessly cool friend who just started composting, not perfect, but trying, and still smells amazing while doing it.