Natural vs. Clean vs. Organic vs. Green… Do you know the difference?

At the start of every yoga class, it is common practice to set an intention, a simple yet incredibly powerful way to focus the mind and calm the body which then allows you to be guided away from distractions and center your thoughts on one single goal. Today, our intent is to help bring clarity and calm to the muddy waters of the “natural,” “clean,” “green,” and “organic” beauty space. We aim to decipher the differences among the four so that you have all the tools you need to make responsible and healthy choices when stocking up on your beauty purchases!

WHAT IS NATURAL?

When we speak of “natural” beauty products, we’re mostly referring to those consisting of ingredients already present or produced in nature as opposed to those conjured up by scientific minds in a lab. A chemical-free zone with zero presence of synthetics! While YUNI Beauty was founded by natural beauty pioneers, we honor the importance of this philosophy by pointing out the common misconception when it comes to the special relationship many of our beauty lovers have with “natural” products. “Natural” doesn’t always mean better for you! Stinging Nettles are natural, but you definitely don’t want to incorporate them into your daily beauty routine – you’d be glowing for all the wrong reasons…ouch! While “natural” isn’t a guarantee for safe or best, it is a step towards a greater self-awareness and accountability which both contribute to YUNI’s philosophy of mindful beauty - the belief that people should be empowered to take responsibility for their own wellness.

WHAT IS CLEAN?

Often times, “clean” beauty definitions will feel like an episode of Family Feud. If you ask 100 beauty brands the definition of clean, you will receive 100 different answers. Why? Because the term “clean” as it pertains to beauty is still largely unregulated and entirely subjective, but as it pertains to the industry at large it’s safe to say that “clean” refers to products that put a premium on naturally derived ingredients yet still include synthetics that are considered safe for people and the planet.

When you pare it down, “clean” means as clean as possible before you have to add the bare minimum preservatives to make it shelf stable, but what those preservatives and chemicals specifically are seem to be the biggest source of contention within the industry! At YUNI we strive to bring you clean products and we’ve defined a lab-full of potential irritants and toxins which we choose not to use in our formulations. That’s why our formulas are non-toxic, plant-based and free of parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde, petrolatum, sodium lauryl/laureth sulfates, phenoxyethanol, mineral oil, synthetic colors or fragrances, GMOs, PABA, EDTA, or PEGs.

WHAT IS ORGANIC?

Ingredients that are organic, are grown in soil that hasn’t been treated with prohibited fertilizers and pesticides (muddy waters, but for different reasons)! Organically sourced ingredients should be (in theory) environmentally, socially and economically sustainable in their methods of production which all have a positive impact on the planet.

Dependent on the brand, product, or ingredient, percentages of “organic” may vary. At YUNI we choose ingredients with an eye toward the organic, sustainable and fair trade for all of our formulas and go out of our way to work with fair-trade growers who use eco-friendly cultivation and harvesting methods which are easy on the planet, and which support sustainable local businesses. Even though these techniques often result in smaller-batch yields and higher costs for us as a supplier, we feel that the quality and the karma justify it.

WHAT IS GREEN?

Some regard “green beauty” as a movement, a lifestyle choice. Although, as with Clean, Natural and Organic, the area is largely undefined – the term “green” normally lends itself to products which use ingredients as close to the plant as possible and that only source packaging from sustainable and renewable sources. Green is, in many ways, a hybrid of “Natural” & “Organic”. Opting for a green beauty closet is to make socially and environmentally conscious choices for yourself and your community at large. By choosing to reduce your chemical exposure, you’re also reducing your carbon footprint and therefore making a positive impact on your own health and the health of your community and planet.

At YUNI, we believe that people are responsible for the health of the planet. Our sustainability efforts focus on the environmental impact of our production and packaging: we never test on animals; ingredients are consciously and sustainably sourced; manufacturing and warehousing are in solar-powered or wind-powered facilities; and we use a mix of packaging to ensure our environment is protected for generations to come.