Hada Labo
{{Short description|Japanese skin care brand}}
{{Primary sources|date=August 2020}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Hada Labo
| logo = Hada_Labo.png
| image =
| native_name = 肌ラボ
| romanized_name = Hada Rabo
| foundation = 2004
2015 (Hada Labo Tokyo)
| founder =
| location_city = Tokyo
| area_served = Asia
United States (Hada Labo Tokyo)
| products = Skin care
| revenue =
| parent = Rohto Pharmaceutical
| location_country = Japan
| homepage = {{URL|https://jp.rohto.com/hadalabo}}
{{URL|https://hadalabotokyo.com}} (Hada Labo Tokyo)
| origins =
}}
{{nihongo|Hada Labo|肌ラボ|Hada Rabo|"Skin Lab"}} is a Japanese skin care brand developed by Rohto Pharmaceutical. The brand is most known for their hyaluronic acid products and for offering eco-friendly refill pouches.{{Cite web|url=https://www.marieclaire.com/beauty/a13733733/hada-labo-hyaluronic-lotion-reviews/|title=This Japanese Lotion Has a Cult Following on the Internet for Literally Transforming Your Skin|last=Metzger|first=Chloe|date=November 16, 2017|website=Marie Claire|language=en-US|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=December 1, 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000026.000044879.html|title=これまでも地球環境を考えてきた「肌ラボ」 植物由来の原料を一部に用いたバイオマス容器・パウチに|last=|first=|date=November 22, 2019|website=PR Times|language=ja|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=December 1, 2019}} Their flagship offering, the Super Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizing Lotion, was the number one lotion in Japan for seven consecutive years.
Distinct from Hada Labo proper, Hada Labo Tokyo is manufactured by Mentholatum (a subsidiary of Rohto) for the American market, differing in branding, products and formulation.{{Cite web|url=http://www.hadalabotokyo.com/hada-labo-tokyo/|title=Hada Labo Tokyo™|last=|first=|date=|website=Hada Labo Tokyo|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210503214155/https://www.hadalabotokyo.com/hada-labo-tokyo/|archive-date=May 3, 2021|access-date=December 1, 2019|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=https://drugstorenews.com/beauty/hada-labo-tokyo-skin-care-expand-us-distribution|title=Hada Labo Tokyo skin care to expand U.S. distribution|last=Alexander|first=Antoinette|date=February 18, 2015|website=Drug Store News|language=en-US|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=December 1, 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/hada-labo-goku-jyun-lotion|title=This Skin-Care Product is Huge in Japan — & On Reddit|last=Krause|first=Rachel|date=February 5, 2018|website=Refinery29|language=en-US|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=December 1, 2019}}
History
Hada Labo was launched in 2004, and sought to emphasize a more "simplistic" skin care approach by removing "unnecessary additives, colorant, fragrance and mineral oil".{{Cite web|url=http://hadalabo.com.my/about-us/|title=About Us|last=|first=|date=|website=Hada Labo Malaysia|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200617052530/http://hadalabo.com.my/about-us|archive-date=June 17, 2020|access-date=December 1, 2019|url-status=dead}}
In 2005, the brand changed their packaging from glass to plastic bottles and began offering their products in refill pouch variations. In 2015, Hada Labo Tokyo became the first Japanese cosmetics brand to launch at U.S. mass retailers. Six products from the brands lineup are to be distributed across the Northeastern and Florida markets in 235 Harmon locations.{{cite press release |title=Japan's Best Selling Skincare Brand Expands Tri-State Area Distribution Of Hada Labo Tokyo |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/japans-best-selling-skincare-brand-expands-tri-state-area-distribution-of-hada-labo-tokyo-300037169.html |website=Prnewswire |access-date=December 30, 2022}} In November 2019, Hada Labo revised all the packaging from their Gokujyun and Shirojyun lines to be made from plant-derived materials.
Products
Hada Labo is composed of three main lines:{{Cite web|url=http://hadalabousa.com/home/|title=HADA LABO Skin Care Products|last=|first=|date=|website=Hada Labo USA|language=en-US|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=December 1, 2019}}
- {{nihongo|Gokujyun|極潤}}, focused on "intense" hydration
- {{nihongo|Shirojyun|白潤}}, with added brightening properties
- {{nihongo|Gokujyun Alpha|極潤α}}, with added anti-aging benefits
Their lotion products are a popular variant, a type of toner-adjacent skin conditioner unique to Japanese beauty.{{Cite web|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/hada-labo-face-lotion-skin-care-product-japanese-cult-a8178116.html|title=People say this obscure Japanese cream is completely transforming their faces|last=Ritschel|first=Chelsea|date=January 25, 2018|website=The Independent|language=en|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=December 1, 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.vox.com/2017/11/1/16572068/j-beauty-japanese-skincare-makeup-product-guide|title=Why You Should Consider a Japanese Beauty Routine|last=Uyehara|first=Mari|date=November 1, 2017|website=Vox|language=en|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=December 1, 2019}}