Le Labo Launches First-Ever Incense Collection and Handcrafted Concrete Holder
June 1, 2026
On June 1, 2026, Le Labo quietly but decisively expanded its universe of scent with the launch of its first-ever incense collection, paired with a handcrafted concrete incense holder. This release marks not just a product drop but a philosophical extension of the brand’s ethos: slow perfumery, craftsmanship, imperfection as beauty, and the invitation to pause amid the chaos of modern life.
Founded in 2006 by Eddie Roschi and Fabrice Penot in New York City, Le Labo has built a cult following by treating fragrance as an intimate, almost alchemical process. Their “lab” concept—where perfumes are blended fresh in front of customers or on demand—emphasizes personalization, transparency, and rejection of mass-market shortcuts. With this new Home Creations addition, Le Labo moves beyond candles and diffusers into the ancient realm of incense, drawing from Japanese traditions while staying true to its signature scents.
from
What sets this launch apart is the depth of its making. The incense sticks are produced in Kyoto, Japan, by a twelfth-generation family-owned workshop using traditional Japanese techniques. This isn’t outsourced manufacturing; it’s a deliberate collab with artisans who have inherited the craft across centuries.
View this post on Instagram
Each set contains 35 sticks, with every stick burning for approximately 25 minutes. That duration is intentional. It’s long enough for a meaningful pause—a short meditation, a moment of reflection over coffee, or the unwinding at the end of a workday—but not so long that it becomes background noise. In the Japanese art of Kōdō (the “Way of Incense”), fragrance is something to be listened to rather than merely smelled. Deborah Royer, Global Brand President and Creative Director, captured this beautifully: “With this incense, we honour the centuries-old wisdom contained in its practice. In watching smoke ascend, we find a reflection of the self: never fixed, always shifting, a slow burn forever finding form.”
The incense is hand-rolled, a labor-intensive process that ensures even burning and consistent release of fragrance. Traditional methods involve blending powdered woods, resins, and herbs with a binder (often makko powder from the tabunoki tree), then extruding them into thin sticks. Le Labo’s versions translate their complex olfactory profiles into this format with remarkable fidelity.
flow
The collection features three core Le Labo fragrances reimagined for incense: SANTAL 26, AMBROXYDE 17, and ENCENS 9. Each brings its own personality to the ritual.
SANTAL 26 is the aristocratic, gentle giant of the lineup. Described as smoky and leathery with a creamy sandalwood heart, it evokes the warmth of worn leather armchairs in a wood-paneled library. In incense form, the smoke carries notes of Australian sandalwood, cedar, and a subtle spiciness that feels both grounding and elevated. It’s the scent for someone who wants their space to feel like a sanctuary of quiet luxury—masculine without being overpowering, refined without sterility.
AMBROXYDE 17 draws from the synthetic ambroxan molecule that gives ambergris its haunting marine-animalic quality. Paired with musks, woods, jasmine petals, and a mossy base, it’s closely related to Le Labo’s cult-classic ANOTHER 13. In smoke form, it radiates a clean yet addictive warmth—radiant, slightly salty, and deeply sensual. This is the modern, urban incense: one that feels at home in minimalist lofts or bustling creative studios. It lingers in the air like a memory you want to revisit.
ENCENS 9 centers on frankincense—the resin once valued more than gold. Softened by warm amber and sparked with clove, it delivers a meditative, church-like serenity with spicy undertones and earthy patchouli in the background. This scent bridges the sacred and the everyday. Burning it feels like a small act of reverence, perfect for morning routines or evening wind-downs.
These aren’t simple single-note incense sticks. They are full olfactory compositions that evolve as they burn, much like Le Labo’s candles and perfumes. The top notes rise first with the initial smoke, followed by deeper heart and base accords as the stick consumes itself.
View this post on Instagram
stir
Complementing the incense is a minimalist concrete holder, handcrafted in the United States. Like Le Labo’s popular concrete candles, this object is designed to age gracefully. Concrete’s porous nature means each piece develops a unique patina over time—subtle discolorations, faint stains from ash, and variations in texture that tell the story of its use.
No two holders are identical. Small air bubbles, slight color shifts, and the way the material interacts with smoke and residue create individuality. This aligns perfectly with Le Labo’s philosophy: objects should bear the marks of life rather than remain pristine and soulless. The holder’s industrial-chic aesthetic—raw, sculptural, and weighty—pairs beautifully with modern interiors while nodding to brutalist design and wabi-sabi principles of impermanence.
Priced around $85 CAD (with incense sets at approximately $63 CAD), these pieces position the collection as an accessible entry into Le Labo’s world of ritual objects, though still firmly in the luxury segment.
scope
This launch builds on Le Labo’s established Home Creations line, which includes concrete candles in scents like SANTAL 26, ENCENS 9, and others. The brand has long championed vessels that can be repurposed—once the candle burns down, the concrete container becomes a planter, pencil holder, or decorative object. The incense holder continues this narrative of longevity and transformation.
Simultaneously, Le Labo released Santal 33 hand soap and lotion, extending their most iconic fragrance into body care. The June 1, 2026, date marks a coordinated expansion of sensory experiences across home and body, reinforcing the brand’s holistic approach to scent as lifestyle.
why
In an era of constant digital stimulation, notifications, and overstimulation, Le Labo’s incense offers a counterpoint. A single 25-minute stick creates a bounded ritual: light it, sit with it, watch the smoke curl, let the fragrance envelop the room, then let it fade naturally. It’s mindfulness made material.
The choice of Kyoto craftsmanship also speaks to cultural respect and globalization done right—fusing French perfumery heritage with Japanese incense tradition under American creative direction. It avoids appropriation by partnering deeply with artisans who maintain living traditions.
For collectors and enthusiasts, this collection bridges Le Labo’s perfume devotees with those who appreciate home fragrance as interior design and personal ritual. SANTAL 26 fans now have another format to enjoy their signature scent. Newcomers might discover the brand through these accessible, experiential products.
emotive
Imagine lighting SANTAL 26 at dusk. The room fills with creamy woods and subtle leather as daylight fades. The concrete holder grounds the scene literally and figuratively—its cool weight contrasting the warm smoke. Or ENCENS 9 in the morning: clove and frankincense cut through the residual sleepiness, creating clarity and calm.
AMBROXYDE 17 might suit creative work sessions—its musky radiance keeping the mind alert yet relaxed. The 25-minute burn time encourages intentional breaks, perhaps aligning with techniques like the Pomodoro method but with olfactory enhancement.
Users report the scents translate faithfully from their candle and perfume counterparts, with the smoke adding an ethereal, diffusive quality that fills spaces differently than wax or liquid formats.
View this post on Instagram
length
Le Labo’s move into incense reflects larger trends: renewed interest in ritual, sustainability in craftsmanship, and a rejection of disposable culture. Concrete as a material—raw, heavy, permanent yet evolving—mirrors societal desires for authenticity in an AI-generated, filtered world.
The patina development encourages a long-term relationship with the object. Instead of buying new every season, owners watch their holder mature, gaining character with each use. This wabi-sabi ethos feels especially poignant in 2026, as consumers increasingly seek products with soul.
where
Available starting June 1, 2026, at lelabo and select boutiques (including the flagship Elizabeth Street store in New York), the collection launched globally. Early social media reactions highlight excitement around the Kyoto connection and the tactile appeal of the concrete holder.
As Le Labo approaches its 20th anniversary, this launch signals continued evolution. Having mastered personalized perfume and elevated candles, incense opens new avenues for scent storytelling. Future expansions might include limited-edition scents, seasonal blends, or even incense ceremonies in boutiques.
fin
Le Labo’s incense and concrete holder aren’t revolutionary in the sense of inventing new technology. Instead, they refine and recontextualize ancient practices with contemporary luxury and emotional intelligence. They remind us that scent is more than fragrance—it’s atmosphere, memory, ritual, and presence.
In a world rushing forward, Le Labo invites us to watch smoke rise, breathe deeply, and remember that some things—the best things—require us to slow down. The concrete will patina. The smoke will dissipate. But the feeling lingers.
This collection succeeds because it doesn’t just sell products; it sells moments of intentionality. For longtime fans and newcomers alike, it’s another reason to believe in the quiet power of well-crafted scent.
Related Articles
THRASHER, AFA, and adidas Originals Team Up for a World Cup 2026 Capsule
In the vibrant streets of global youth culture, few collides feel as destined as the […]
