All of our creams, liquids, colour cosmetics, and supplements are crafted in our own laboratories in France.

What are the standards for manufacturing in France?
Cosmetic Products Regulation EC 1223/2009 is compulsory for products offered for sale within the EU. European cosmetics regulations are known for being the most rigorous in the world.

Our laboratories showcase an exceptional blend of scientific ingenuity, strict safety standards, and a distinct French je ne sais quoi. Discover our award-winning creations, crafted to go beyond everyday cosmetics – and designed to bring you the quality you deserve.

URBAN RETREAT DOES NOT TEST ON ANIMALS
We are deeply committed to protecting animals and the environment. URBAN RETREAT does not test on animals; we believe testing skincare products and ingredients on animals is unacceptable and fully supported the 2013 ban.

None of our ingredients or finished products have ever been tested on animals, nor do we outsource such testing. URBAN RETREAT is proud to be listed on the PETA database of cruelty-free brands and is an accredited cruelty-free brand.

DERMATOLOGICALLY TESTED PRODUCTS
Every topical product is rigorously tested and approved by certified dermatologists before being released for sale.

We are dedicated to advancing the field of natural skincare. However, it’s important to note that the term “natural” does not have a precise definition in the cosmetics industry. Our priority is to ensure the safety and effectiveness of our products, which include a variety of certified organic, natural, and naturally derived ingredients.

We avoid known allergens in our formulations. In some cases, a natural ingredient may not be feasible, so we carefully select safe, allergen-free synthetic ingredients as needed.

If we don’t need it, we don’t include it. Every ingredient in our products is carefully selected for a specific purpose. While we strive to keep our products unscented whenever possible, some products containing marine actives require a light fragrance to mask the natural scent of these powerful ingredients.

You may see the term ‘parfum’ on the ingredient lists for certain URBAN RETREAT products. Industry regulations require us to use this term, though to most of us, it simply means scent, fragrance, or aroma.

We use only one specially crafted fragrance, designed exclusively for us. While some components are synthetic to avoid allergens, our fragrance is certified free from allergens, carcinogens, and phthalates.

The power of the sea is immeasurable, and many of our products include active ingredients derived from marine sources. These ingredients are a safe and effective choice for delivering the quality and performance we expect in cosmetics and skincare.

Some of our products contain animal-derived ingredients, such as beeswax, chosen for their proven skincare benefits. We are transparent about our choices and proudly stand by our commitment to efficacy.

We carefully select ethically sourced active ingredients from plants, algae, and the sea, considering both their effectiveness and their origin. Whenever possible, we prioritise natural ingredients over synthetic alternatives.

For this reason, we are not a vegan brand.

GLUTEN
Some of our products may contain gluten or traces of gluten. Gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, and other grains, is occasionally used in our supplements.

NUTS
We do not formulate with any known allergens. Instead, we use safe, allergen-free synthetic alternatives when necessary. Our products are free from peanuts and peanut oil.

All Urban Retreat products are paraben-free.

We've chosen alternative preservative systems based on consumer preferences, as we simply prefer not to use parabens.

While parabens are still widely used as stabilisers in the cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and food industries for their preservative properties, expert panels and global regulatory bodies have approved them as safe for cosmetic use.

URBAN RETREAT products are renowned for their high concentration of botanicals. All active ingredients are ethically sourced from plants, algae, or the sea, carefully selected for their efficacy, origin, and safety. We partner with sustainable, GMP and NFP-certified manufacturers to ensure each ingredient meets the highest ethical standards. Wherever possible, we choose organic ingredients to support sustainable farming and promote clean soil worldwide.

How we package our products is just as important as the formulas themselves. That's why we rigorously screen every packaging material for both safety and environmental impact.

Whether it’s our distinctive glass bottles and pots, crafted from recyclable glass, or our bottles made from 75% PCR (Post-Consumer Recycled) plastic, we strive to make every component of our packaging as eco-friendly as possible.

WHAT IS PCR?
PCR stands for Post-Consumer Recycled material. Recycled plastic is not as clear as virgin (first-use) plastic, which is why we chose brown for our bottles. This earthy brown colour fits beautifully in any bathroom.

WHAT IS PCR PLASTIC?
PCR plastic is made from recycled plastic waste that is repurposed into resin, creating new packaging materials. This process extends the life of plastic and helps reduce overall plastic waste.

HOW IS PCR PLASTIC MADE?
Collected plastic waste is first cleaned to remove any colour, then it is transformed into fine granules, which are used to produce new plastic materials.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF PCR PLASTIC?
By using PCR plastic, each kilogram of material prevents approximately ten 2-litre water bottles from ending up in landfills.

Our product packaging and postal boxes are made from recycled kraft paper, which is created by breaking down used materials such as cardboard boxes and books into pulp, then turning it back into recyclable brown paper.

Because recycled kraft paper retains its natural colour and texture, it doesn’t require bleaching, saving both money and reducing chemicals in the environment. We also use vegetable ink for printing.

When you dispose of unbleached brown paper or corrugated cardboard in your garden, it will naturally compost. Within a short time, it breaks down without leaving any trace, and the process doesn’t release harmful chemicals into the soil.

Composting turns organic waste into a natural soil amendment. With proper care, we can produce high-quality compost (meeting NFU 44-051 and NFU 44-095 standards) from plant matter, fermentable waste, and even household waste.

We care about your health, which is why all of our topical products are dermatologically tested. While this is common practice in the industry, we believe URBAN RETREAT was the first cosmetics brand to test all of its rinseable products for both biodegradability and toxicology.

In short: if it goes down the plughole, we send it for testing to ensure it is biodegradable and safe for the ecosystem.

We have a recycling contract to manage everything that enters our facility, from glass and plastic to cardboard. We ensure that everything leaving our facilities, including our shipping boxes and filling tissue paper, is made from recyclable materials.

Our skincare containers are made of recycled glass, which can be endlessly recycled without degrading. This infinite cycle means no new raw materials are required for production. If we all recycled glass, it could be used forever.

Our caps are made from aluminium, and our tubes are made from aluminium laminate. Aluminium, like glass, can be recycled indefinitely. The recycling process can be repeated without any loss in quality.

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS
Glass: Recycling glass reduces air pollution by 20% and water pollution by 50%. It also saves energy and reduces carbon emissions — every 1000 tonnes of recycled glass saves 314 tonnes of CO2.

Aluminium: Recycling aluminium uses 95% less energy than producing it from raw materials. It saves 97% of greenhouse gas emissions and 9 tonnes of CO2 per tonne of aluminium recycled.

WHY WE BELIEVE RECYCLING IS IMPORTANT
Recycling turns waste into new raw materials, creating a sustainable cycle that preserves our limited natural resources. With the global consumption of raw materials and fossil fuels reaching critical levels, recycling is more important than ever.

Energy Recovery: Sorting and compressing waste can create solid fuel for energy production, preserving resources like wood.

Methanisation: This process breaks down organic waste to create methane, which is used to produce electricity while reducing CO2 emissions.

Solid Recovery Fuel (CSR): Non-recyclable, non-hazardous waste can be turned into fuel for industrial use, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

OUR 100% VALUATION OBJECTIVE
The growing demand for raw materials urges us to consume better and recycle more effectively. Our traditional waste treatment methods, like landfills and incinerators, are no longer enough to address environmental concerns.

We must all work together to consume smarter, sort waste better, and recycle more efficiently to achieve our 100% valuation objective.