About Lynen
Why we started checking
We didn’t set out to build an app. We set out to answer a simple question: Is this shirt really cotton?
As it turned out, that question was surprisingly difficult to answer. A 2019 Dutch government study found that 41% of fiber labels were likely to mislead. In 2026, EU inspectors found 37% of tested garments were mislabeled. Even baby clothes failed inspection one time in four.
That matters because we choose fabrics for a reason. Maybe you prefer the feel of cotton, want something that will last, or avoid certain materials because they irritate your skin. An inaccurate label means making a choice based on the wrong information.
So we built what we couldn't find…
An easy way to check a garment's true composition. Lynen compares label claims with independent testing and gives you sources you can check yourself. We also use published research to help explain what different fabrics may mean for your skin.
Because better information helps you make the choice that's right for you.
Who pays us, and who doesn't
Brands don't pay to appear in Lynen, can't pay to improve their results, and can't pay to remove them.
Verification comes from independent, accredited laboratories using standard testing methods. When testing finds a difference between a label and the actual fabric, we publish the results and let you decide what they mean for you.
If that independence ever changes, we'll tell you.
Curious about the process? See what happens in the lab.
When we get something wrong, we correct it where it appears and log the correction in public.
The testing and corrections policy: How we verify.
If someone in your home has reactive skin
For people with eczema, psoriasis, or sensitivities to certain fabrics, knowing what clothing is made of can be especially important. Certain dyes, finishes, and fabrics may contribute to irritation for some, which makes accurate information essential.
Lynen helps answer two questions: What is this actually made of, and what could that mean for my skin?
Please note: Ly, your in-app virtual assistant, gives analysis based on general wellness information from published research, not medical advice. If you have a diagnosed skin condition, talk with your healthcare provider about what's appropriate for you.
Learn more: Best Fabrics for Sensitive Skin: What to Look For
Clothing labels are changing
Under EU rules, textiles are expected to be included in the move toward digital product passports, creating scannable records with information about individual garments.
We think greater transparency is a good thing. But information supplied by a brand and information independently verified aren't quite the same thing. Lynen is focused on that second piece: independent verification.
Learn more: Digital Product Passports for Clothing: What to Know
A note from our founder
I kept asking a simple question in stores: Is this $55 shirt really 100% cotton? I also wanted to know whether something that looked good on the rack would still look good after being washed and worn. The answers were surprisingly difficult to find.
My name is Chinedu Okeke. I was born in Nigeria and came to the United States to study for an MBA at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business. I’ve always cared about how I dress, which has made me particular about fabrics.
Eventually, I realized there was a basic piece of information missing in how we shop for clothes. We rely heavily on what a label or brand tells us, but consumers have very few ways to independently check those claims.
That idea became tangible with Lynen.
I wanted to create something that could give shoppers straightforward, independently verified information before they buy. When we know, we’ll show you the evidence. When we don’t, we’ll tell you that too.
If you’ve ever wanted to go beyond the label, Lynen can take you there.
What you wear should be your choice. Knowing what's in it should be a given.
Chinedu Okeke
Founder, Lynen Labs LLC