HABA LABORATORIES

What HABA LABORATORIES does

HABA Laboratories (ハーバー研究所) is a Japanese branded cosmetics and health food company founded in May 1983 and headquartered in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. The company is publicly listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Standard Market (ticker 4925) and operates with approximately 568 consolidated employees as of March 2025. Its commercial proposition is built on the registered "Mushoku Tsuika Shugi®" (Additive-Free Principle), which excludes parabens, petroleum-based surfactants, synthetic fragrances, mineral oils, and tar-based pigments from all products. Core technology is formulation-based: high-purity squalane (99.9%) derived from squalene, vitamin C derivative systems (water-soluble, oil-soluble, and amphiphilic forms), and mineral-based color cosmetics using inorganic pigments. Vertically integrated manufacturing is handled through wholly-owned subsidiary HABA Co., Ltd. in Tomakomai, Hokkaido, supported by four logistics centers and customer service operations across Japan.

The product portfolio centers on signature squalane oil and VC-E derivative skincare, extended by the 2023-renewed additive-free mineral color makeup line, medicated skincare (squaBB), children's sunscreen (UV Kids Gel), facial cleansers, lip care, and limited-edition seasonal releases. A health supplements line is operated through the Medical Foods / HB Life subsidiary under a "Mikibi" (preventive health) concept. Distribution is multi-channel: DTC via haba.co.jp, owned Shop HABA retail stores (including the February 2026 Kobe Hankyu opening), wholesale through major Japanese department stores (Daimaru Matsuzakaya, Isetan Mitsukoshi, Hankyu Hanshin), and specialty retailers (Loft, Idaryokogedo).

The business model is one-time product purchase pricing (no subscription disclosed) targeting two primary segments: health-conscious Japanese women seeking additive-free skincare, and a secondary consumer base for preventive-health supplements. Marketing spans Club HABA membership, HABA note+ content platform, beauty seminars at HABA Ginza, social media (X, Instagram, YouTube, LINE), and Gen Z-targeted vertical short-drama collaborations (24M views on the Konko Film partnership). Consolidated revenue for FY2025 was 120.61 billion JPY. The company is currently executing a governance and structural overhaul, including the April 2026 absorption merger of HABA Cosmetics, introduction of an executive officer system, May 2026 revision of mid-term management plan targets, and a July 2026 full corporate website renewal.

Name

HABA LABORATORIES

Legal name

株式会社ハーバー研究所

Website

https://haba.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

HABA Laboratories is a publicly traded Japanese cosmetics company, founded in 1983, specializing in additive-free skincare and mineral color cosmetics built around high-purity squalane and vitamin C derivatives. It serves health-conscious Japanese consumers through DTC e-commerce, owned Shop HABA retail stores, and department store wholesale.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cosmetics and Skincare

NAICS

Cosmetics, Beauty Supplies, and Perfume Retailers (45612), Soap and Cleaning Compound Manufacturing (32561)

SIC

Perfumes, Cosmetics & Other Toilet Preparations (2844), Soap, Detergents, Cleang Preparations, Perfumes, Cosmetics (2840)

akta.pro primary industry

Face Makeup (Foundation, Concealer, Powder, Blush, Bronzer, Highlighter) (CRABACAA)

Keywords

• Additive-free cosmetics
• Squalane skincare
• Vitamin C serums
• Mineral color makeup
• Health supplements

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices13 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Cosmetics and Skincare Products: Direct sales of additive-free cosmetics and skincare products through online shop, retail stores, and department store wholesale. Revenue generated from both one-time product purchases and repeat customer purchases.
2. Health Supplements (健康食品): Development and sales of health food products including sugar-free items supporting overall wellness and 'Mikibi' (未病) care concept.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

HABA Laboratories develops, manufactures, and sells additive-free cosmetics and skincare products, with high-purity squalane oil, vitamin C derivative formulations, and additive-free mineral color makeup as its core offerings. The company also markets health supplements and operates directly-managed retail stores, an official online shop, mail-order channels, and consumer beauty seminars across Japan.

Product overview

HABA LABORATORIES (ハーバー研究所) is a Japanese cosmetics company founded on the principle of 'additive-free' (無添加主義®) beauty products. The company offers a unified portfolio centered on high-purity squalane as its signature core product, complemented by vitamin C derivative (VC-E) skincare series, additive-free mineral color makeup products renewed in 2023, and various limited-edition seasonal releases. The product ecosystem includes medicated skincare, children's sunscreen, facial cleansers, lip care, and makeup bases. HABA also operates health supplement products through its subsidiary HB Life under 'Medical Foods' branding, and provides educational programs including parent-child skincare seminars. The company distributes through direct-to-consumer e-commerce (online shop), physical retail stores, department stores, and drugstores throughout Japan.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Shop HABA（ショップハーバー）: 直営店舗ブランド
• HABA note+（ハーバーノートプラス）

Products and services

• Squalane (スクワラン) High-purity squalane oil serving as the company's flagship additive-free moisturizing skincare treatment for individual consumers seeking gentle, fragrance-free daily facial care.
• VC-E Derivative Series (VC誘導体シリーズ) Vitamin C derivative skincare line of lotions, milks, and serums formulated for consumers seeking brightening and antioxidant skincare without additives.
• Additive-Free Mineral Color (無添加ミネラルカラー) Mineral-based color cosmetics formulated without additives, fragrances, or harsh ingredients for consumers with sensitive skin.
• squaBB Medicated Skincare (薬用スキンケア squaBB) Medicated (薬用) skincare line combining squalane base with active dermatological ingredients to address specific skin concerns such as acne and blemishes.
• UV Kids Gel (UVキッズジェル) Additive-free sunscreen gel formulated for children's sensitive skin, offering UV protection with a mild formulation.
• Jelly Serum Base (ジェリーセラムベース) Jelly-texture serum base designed as a layering product to be used under moisturizer or makeup, providing hydration with a light feel.
• Duo Essence Lip (デュオエッセンスリップ) Dual-function lip product that combines color pigmentation with treatment benefits for lip moisturization and care.
• Serum Cushion BB (セラムクッションBB) Cushion-format BB cream that combines serum-level skincare benefits with foundation coverage in one applicator.
• Health Supplements (ヘルスサプリメント) Internal health supplements aligned with the company's additive-free philosophy, providing wellness nutrition for individual consumers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 9 consecutive years No.1 market share in cosmetic oil category
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Stardancers Ballet (公益財団法人スターダンサーズ・バレエ団)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2025Support for 'Relaxed Performances' - ballet performances adapted for audience members with disabilities. HABA sponsors and invites children with disabilities and their families to performances. Partnership includes accessibility accommodations like adjusted sound, lighting, and open-door policy.
• Able Art Company (エイブルアート・カンパニー)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2009Collaboration since December 2009 with NPO supporting artists with disabilities. Joint programs include 'Personal Grooming and Basic Skincare & Makeup Workshop' for people with disabilities held at HABA Laboratories headquarters. Focus on social participation support through beauty education.
• Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters (北海道日本ハムファイターズ)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSports sponsorship and promotional campaign partnership. Annual campaigns offering HABA products as prizes to fans. Sponsorship reinforces regional presence in Hokkaido where HABA operates manufacturing.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Estee Lauder Companies: Global prestige beauty conglomerate with skincare and color cosmetics brands. Comparable in additive-free / clean beauty positioning through select brands (e.g., Dr. Jart+, Aveda) and in department store distribution; operates at vastly larger scale.
• Kose Corporation: Major Japanese cosmetics manufacturer with a broad portfolio of skincare and color cosmetics brands (Decorté, Sekkisei, etc.). Competes in overlapping skincare and makeup categories with HABA, but with a much larger global footprint and brand portfolio.
• Pola Orbis Holdings: Japanese cosmetics holding company with brands including POLA and Orbis. Overlaps with HABA in skincare and color cosmetics, with similar department store channel presence, but at a meaningfully larger scale and broader brand portfolio.
• Kao Corporation: Multinational Japanese consumer products company with major cosmetics presence (Kanebo, Curel, est, SENS). Overlaps with HABA across skincare, color cosmetics, and personal care channels, with a much larger global footprint and product breadth.
• Shiseido Company, Limited: Japan's largest cosmetics group spanning prestige, mass, and professional skincare and color cosmetics. Overlaps with HABA in skincare/makeup, including distribution through Japanese department stores, but operates at vastly larger scale with global brand portfolio.

Direct peers

• DHC Corporation: Japanese integrated beauty and health company combining skincare, color cosmetics, and supplements. Competes directly with HABA across skincare and supplements, with similar domestic Japan focus and mass-market mail-order heritage.
• FANCL Corporation: Japanese cosmetics and supplement company built on a no-additives, preservative-free positioning. Closest direct competitor to HABA's additive-free skincare philosophy, with overlapping product mix (skincare, supplements) and similar premium mail-order/DTC GTM.
• Ci:z Holdings (Dr.Ci:Labo): Japanese dermatological skincare company led by the Dr.Ci:Labo brand. Direct competitor in premium skincare and DTC mail-order, with similar domestic focus and comparable product positioning around science-backed formulations.

Regional players

• Noevir Holdings: Japanese cosmetics company with skincare, makeup, and pharmaceuticals. Direct competitor in domestic market, with department store and direct sales presence, comparable in mid-cap scale to HABA.
• Mandom Corporation: Japanese personal care company focused on men's grooming and fragrance products (Gatsby, Lululun). Overlaps with HABA in select skincare categories and domestic Japanese retail distribution, with comparable mid-cap market positioning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/HABA_JP
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/habaJP
• Facebookfacebook.com/habatown
• Instagraminstagram.com/haba_jp
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/haba-laboratories

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 HABA LABORATORIES