Tec Labs

What Tec Labs does

Tec Labs, operating through its Quest Products Inc. parent entity and consumer-facing "Tecnu" brand, is a US-based pharmaceutical and consumer healthcare company founded in 1977 and headquartered in Albany, Oregon. The company manufactures a focused portfolio of topical skin care products targeted at two end-user segments: outdoor enthusiasts exposed to poison ivy, oak, and sumac, and general consumers seeking first aid for minor skin irritations, cuts, blisters, and insect bites.

Tecnu's product line is built around proprietary topical formulations. The Tecnu Original Outdoor Skin Cleanser is designed to remove urushiol oils—the allergenic resin produced by poison ivy, oak, and sumac plants—from skin and contaminated surfaces, addressing both prevention and secondary contamination. The portfolio has expanded to include the Tecnu Ivy Complete Kit (a bundled prevention-and-treatment system), Tecnu Extreme Poison Ivy Scrub (an in-shower wash variant), Tecnu Rash Relief Spray (no-touch topical application for active rashes), Tecnu Wipes (portable outdoor cleansing), and the NuNature First Aid Gel sub-brand for wound care. Products are organized into four collections: Poison Ivy & Oak Wash, First Aid, Poison Ivy Treatment, and Itch Relief.

The business operates a dual-channel distribution model combining a direct-to-consumer e-commerce storefront at tecnu.com with a retail network spanning pharmacies and outdoor recreation stores, supported by organic social marketing on Facebook and Instagram and an educational blog and knowledge base. Revenue is generated primarily through one-time transactional product sales with no disclosed subscription, recurring, licensing, or B2B components. The company is privately held under Quest Products Inc. with no venture capital backing, public listing, or M&A activity disclosed in the source material.

Name

Tec Labs

Legal name

Quest Products Inc.

Website

https://teclabsinc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Tec Labs (DBA Tecnu, parent Quest Products Inc.) is a US consumer healthcare manufacturer founded in 1977 that produces topical treatments for poison ivy, oak, and sumac exposure and minor skin first aid, sold via its own e-commerce site and a pharmacy and outdoor retail network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Consumer Healthcare / Topical Skin Care

NAICS

Soap, Cleaning Compound, and Toilet Preparation Manufacturing (3256), Soap and Cleaning Compound Manufacturing (32561)

SIC

Soap, Detergents, Cleang Preparations, Perfumes, Cosmetics (2840)

akta.pro primary industry

Dermatology OTC & Skin Health (Acne Treatments, Eczema/Psoriasis OTC, Antifungals, Wart Removal) (CRADAMAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Dermocosmetics & Medical-Grade Skincare (CRABAAAF), Wound & Ostomy Skin Care (Barrier Films/Creams, Adhesive Removers, Cleansers) (HLAHALAK), Antibacterial & Medicated Cleansers (e.g., Acne, Antifungal, Antiseptic) (CRABAEAH), Dermatology & Topical Skin Treatments (HLAIADAE)

Keywords

• Topical skin cleansers
• Poison ivy treatment
• Outdoor itch relief
• First aid gels
• Urushiol removal products

Headquarters

HQ city

Albany

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Product Sales: Tecnu generates revenue through the sale of topical skin care products including poison ivy/oak cleansers, itch relief sprays, first aid gels, and complete treatment kits. Revenue is primarily one-time transactional purchases from individual consumers and retail customers.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Tec Labs manufactures and sells branded topical skin care products under the Tecnu and NuNature labels, including cleansers, scrubs, sprays, wipes, and first aid gels designed to remove urushiol oils (poison ivy, oak, sumac), relieve itch and pain, and treat minor skin injuries. Products are sold to individual consumers through the company's own e-commerce site and through retail pharmacy and outdoor recreation stores in the United States.

Product overview

Tecnu is an outdoor itch relief brand offering a portfolio of topical treatments for poison ivy, oak, and sumac rashes, as well as general first aid and itch relief products. The core product line includes the Tecnu Ivy Complete Kit (a bundled solution for treating poison ivy/oak rashes), Tecnu Rash Relief Spray (a no-touch spray application), NuNature First Aid Gel (for minor cuts, blisters, and abrasions), Tecnu Original Outdoor Skin Cleanser (for removing urushiol oils), Tecnu Extreme Poison Ivy Scrub (shower-time cleanser), and Tecnu Wipes (portable outdoor cleansing wipes). These products are organized into four main collections: Poison Ivy & Oak Wash, First Aid, Poison Ivy Treatment, and Itch Relief.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• NuNature First Aid Gel: First aid gel product for minor cuts, blisters, and abrasions that stops pain and helps prevent infection.

Products and services

• Tecnu Ivy Complete Kit A bundled kit containing everything needed to stop a poison ivy or oak rash, combining cleansing and treatment products for outdoor enthusiasts and hikers.
• NuNature First Aid Gel A first aid gel that stops pain fast while helping to prevent infection in minor cuts, blisters, and abrasions, for general consumer household use.
• Tecnu Rash Relief Spray A no-touch topical spray that relieves itch and pain from active rashes and helps prevent scarring, for use on poison ivy/oak/sumac and insect bites.
• Tecnu Original Outdoor Skin Cleanser A skin cleanser formulated to remove poison oak and ivy oils (urushiol) from skin, clothing, tools, and even pets to prevent allergic reactions and secondary contamination.
• Tecnu Extreme Poison Ivy Scrub A shower-time cleansing scrub designed to remove poison ivy and oak oils from skin during bathing.
• Tecnu Wipes Portable outdoor wipes used to remove poison oak and ivy oils from skin during or after outdoor activities.

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Leave No TraceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTecnu is a Proud Partner of Leave No Trace, an organization dedicated to promoting responsible outdoor recreation practices. This partnership aligns with Tecnu's positioning in the outdoor recreation market and provides marketing visibility to environmentally conscious outdoor enthusiasts.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Zanfel: Zanfel is a direct competitor in poison ivy, oak, and sumac treatment, offering a specialty wash that mechanically binds and removes urushiol from the skin — the same core use case as Tecnu Original. Closest functional peer given overlapping product mechanism and customer base.
• Ivarest: Ivarest is a long-standing OTC brand specifically formulated for poison ivy/oak/sumac rash treatment, sold through US drugstores. It competes head-to-head with Tecnu in the same shelf set and addresses the same outdoor enthusiast use case.
• After Bite (Tender Corporation): After Bite is a specialty OTC brand focused on insect bite and sting itch relief, overlapping with Tecnu's secondary use cases for chigger, mosquito, and fire ant bites among outdoor users. Comparable niche outdoor first-aid positioning.
• Sarna (Prestige Consumer Healthcare): Sarna is a dermatologist-recommended OTC anti-itch lotion brand owned by Prestige Consumer Healthcare. It competes with Tecnu's itch-relief products for consumers with bug bites, rashes, and skin irritations.

Broad incumbents

• Cortizone-10 (Chattem / Sanofi): Cortizone-10 is a mass-market hydrocortisone anti-itch brand from Chattem (Sanofi Consumer Healthcare). It competes with Tecnu Rash Relief Spray and Tecnu Extreme in the broader OTC itch-relief category but does not specialize in urushiol removal.
• Benadryl Topical (Johnson & Johnson): Johnson & Johnson's Benadryl topical line (creams, sprays, sticks) competes in the OTC anti-itch category that overlaps with Tecnu's itch-relief SKUs. A much larger incumbent with broader distribution and marketing spend.
• Aquaphor (Beiersdorf): Aquaphor is Beiersdorf's healing ointment brand widely used for minor wound care, cuts, and abrasions — the same use cases as NuNature First Aid Gel. A broader incumbent with significant retail presence.
• Neosporin (Johnson & Johnson): Neosporin is Johnson & Johnson's leading OTC first-aid antibiotic ointment brand, addressing infection prevention in minor cuts and abrasions — directly adjacent to NuNature First Aid Gel's positioning.
• Aveeno (Johnson & Johnson): Aveeno is Johnson & Johnson's dermatologist-recommended skincare brand with sensitive-skin and eczema-friendly products. It competes for share of voice in the dermatology consumer-health aisle where Tecnu products are merchandised.

Emerging players

• Calagel (Tec Laboratories competitor — Benadryl Itch Stopping): Calagel is an OTC anti-itch gel positioned for poison ivy, oak, sumac, and insect bites — overlapping with Tecnu Rash Relief Spray and Tecnu Extreme. A smaller specialty competitor in the same outdoor itch-relief niche.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Tecnu
• Instagraminstagram.com/tecnu_outdoor
• Xx.com/TecLabs1

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Tec Labs