Is Yuni Cruelty-Free and Vegan in 2022?

May 10, 2022

YUNI is every mindful consumer's dream. It creates natural and clean cosmetics with a dreamy look and feel. They claim to be inspired by Ayurvedic and yogic principles – so that should mean they're cruelty-free and vegan, right? Let's find out.

YUNI is cruelty-free. It doesn't conduct animal testing on its products, nor does it distribute its cosmetics where animal testing is required by law. YUNI is also 100% vegan – it doesn't use any animal-derived ingredients.

Suzanne Dawson and Emmanuel Rey founded YUNI in 2016 in California, USA. As hard workers who lead mindfully active lives – they wanted to create a brand that enhanced their values.

YUNI cosmetics are designed to give customers natural solutions that save time, sustain good health, and relieve stress. This way, active people can get more out of their daily lives and reap more benefits because of how well they feel.

The name itself means "young, youthful, healthy, excellent," in Sanskrit.

Both Suzanne and Emmanuel have decades of experience in the beauty industry and are both qualified yoga teachers – so they're no strangers to the Ayurvedic principles.

You'll find soothing and mesmeric gradient prints on their packaging, and each solution is touted to save you time. There's also a ton of outdoor and yoga imagery, which ties in with their brand principles.

Evidently, fellow mindful livers love what the duo has created since YUNI has gone from strength to strength since launching.

Before deciding on what to buy, here's what you need to know about YUNI's current animal testing policies, vegan ranges, formulation, and sustainability.

Is YUNI Cruelty-Free and Vegan?

YUNI Cruelty-Free Beauty

YUNI is 100% Cruelty-Free

It does not:

  • Test any of its products or ingredients on animals;
  • Purchase any ingredients tested on animals within its supply chain; or
  • Distribute its products to any countries that require animal testing by law.

There is a yogic principle called ahimsa, which is the practice of non-harming. Many people interpret that as a need to follow a cruelty-free lifestyle, and YUNI agrees.

YUNI is Leaping Bunny certified, this is the only internationally recognized certification that guarantees a brand is cruelty-free.

The brand is independently owned, so there are no worries or concerns about a parent company that does any animal testing on the side.

This brings us to our next point:

YUNI is Vegan

We are so happy to announce that YUNI is entirely vegan! 

The brand has managed to design effective products that claim to help us save time, find zen ,and get better sleep. Yuni has never used any animal-derived to deliver on those promises.

However, it's worth knowing that YUNI is the exception and not the rule.

Most mainstream skincare brands are not 100% vegan. These are certain animal-derived ingredients to look out for in general:

  • Honey & beeswax these ingredients pose many health benefits to your skin and wellbeing. They have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and are loaded with essential vitamins.

    Just because beeswax isn't vegan, it doesn't mean it can't be cruelty-free. Find out more here: Can Beeswax Be Cruelty-Free?
  • Collagen – is an essential protein that plays an integral role in strengthening skin, as well as in elasticity and hydration.

    Naturally, collagen can only be found in connective animal tissue. But today, it's possible to make vegan collagen by genetically modifying yeast and bacteria.
  • Lanolin – this ingredient, like honey and beeswax, is used in skincare and cosmetics because it is incredibly hydrating. It is basically the waxy oil that comes from sheep wool. Lanolin can be cruelty-free – follow this link for more details.

If you're interested in which products are vegan or finding vegan brand alternatives – keep reading or click on this link: YUNI vegan products

Animal Testing Policy and History

It gives us great pleasure to announce that YUNI Beauty has been cruelty-free since its inception. It claims that it always has and will continue to test on willing humans.

Cruelty-Free Status in 2021

Here is a screenshot of YUNI's official statement regarding its cruelty-free policies and vegan products, taken from their website:

YUNI Cruelty-Free and vegan website claim

Certification

YUNI is Leaping Bunny certified.

While you might know PETA very well – it surprisingly doesn't hold the strictest cruelty-free regulations out there. It seems to only require a brand's written consent that abides by the PETA code of conduct. 

Certification from Leaping Bunny is ideal because it holds rigorous standards and does regular audits to ensure they are upheld.

Leaping Bunny certification proves that:

  • No animal testing is conducted on the ingredients, formulas, or final products it sells.
  • No animal testing is conducted by the brand suppliers or on their ingredients or formulas.
  • No animal testing is done by someone else that the company itself paid for.
  • Any other form of testing (beyond ingredient and consumer safety), such as worker safety and environmental health, is considered and evaluated.

If you see a bunny stamp on the back of your product bottle – that's an excellent sign. But don't be fooled by the image itself. A lot of brands are using fake logos to mislead consumers.

Do your homework and see which products are genuinely cruelty-free first. This article will help you: Which Cruelty-Free Logos Can You Trust?

Is YUNI Sold Where Animal Testing is Required By Law? 

YUNI does not distribute any of its products to China or any country that requires animal testing on any cosmetics by law.

China has a shocking track record. It is the country with the most animal testing globally, with over 20 million animals used per year.

However, if you live in China or are concerned about its cruel beauty policies, there are a couple of loopholes. Here's how to find cruelty-free cosmetics in China: Are Cosmetics Made in China Cruelty-Free?

The Best Vegan YUNI Products

YUNI has a diverse range of vegan products, including aromatherapy, skin, body, and hair care. It prides itself on developing formulas for active health seekers who live consciously and sustainably.

Could anyone following a vegan lifestyle ask for more?

We've gone through all their mesmeric products and listed the most popular ones to save you some time.

  • My Om World Calming Aromatherapy Body Mist
  • Gliding Light Illuminating Body Balm
  • Shower Sheets
  • Active Calm Firming Facial Moisturiser
  • YUNICORN Celestial Jelly Mask Cleanser

You can find everything on their website for a complete list of YUNI vegan products, you can find everything on their website.

Vegan Alternatives to YUNI

Yuni has some great vegan options with easy packaging that makes your beauty regime quick, simple, and effective.

The brand does have strong cruelty-free and environmental advocacy principles – which act strongly in its favor.

We love what it represents.

It's 100% cruelty-free and vegan, and users say it's effective.

But if the brand is not easily accessible to you, we recommend some alternatives.

Is YUNI Natural and Organic? 

YUNI is a natural brand, and it claims to use organic ingredients where possible.

Although YUNI might use some organic ingredients, it is not certified organic, nor does it advertise itself as an organic cosmetics brand.

Clean vs. Natural Cosmetics

The term "natural" is not regulated for cosmetics and skincare. In other words, it doesn't hold one specific meaning.

Usually, it means a product is free of certain more toxic synthetic ingredients, including parabens, phthalates, sulfates, and more. But people also interpret "natural" to mean ingredients of immediate plant origin.

Here's the thing: "natural" is not necessarily good. Just because an ingredient is natural doesn't mean you should rub it on your skin. Poison ivy is natural – but we wouldn't recommend rolling in a field of that stuff!

Because YUNI is a natural brand, they limit the use of synthetics as far as possible.

If a synthetic ingredient is "clean," it means it is safe and non-toxic for us. Its purpose is to preserve the stability of a beauty formulation.

A few naturally-derived YUNI uses to enhance its cosmetics include:

  • Kukui Nut Oil provides lightweight moisture as it contains essential fatty acids and vitamin E. It is also packed with antioxidants and Vitamins A and C.
  • Triple purified water has all harsh minerals and impurities filtered out to be gentler on the most sensitive skin without leaving heavy metals or residues behind.
  • Tumeric is an ancient medicinal herb that has been used for centuries across many Asian cultures. It's only recently become trendy in food and personal care.

    In skincare, its uses range from reducing breakouts, acne scarring, and brightening to helping with stretch marks and antiaging. YUNI sources Fair Trade turmeric root for its products.

Does YUNI Use Safe Ingredients?

According to Skin Safe, YUNI has a 91% allergen-free ranking for each product. We couldn't ask for more!

All YUNI formulas are non-toxic, plant-based, and free of parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde, petrolatum, sodium lauryl, sulfates, mineral oil, synthetic colors or fragrances, GMOs, PABA, EDTA OR PEGs

Many of YUNI's products are free of allergens such as gluten, nickel, MCI/MI, Propylene Glycol, soy, and dyes.

Reading the ingredient list is crucial because YUNI is not 100% hypoallergenic or non-comedogenic, and they do not claim to be.

However, certain products are specifically for these concerns, so make sure you buy what your skin needs.

The EU/UK Have Stricter Ingredient Regulations

As a conscientious shopper, you must read up on any brand's ingredient list before you make a purchase – especially if you live within the United States.

This is because the FDA has only banned or restricted 11 harmful chemicals from cosmetics within the country. Europe and the UK, on the other hand, have banned 1,328!

Although Yuni is a natural brand that avoids harsh chemicals and toxins at all costs – you should always check each label since it is an American brand.

For good measure, here are some of the ingredients you really want to avoid with skincare:
  • DEA, MEA, and TEA
  • DMDM Hydantoin and urea (that often release formaldehyde)
  • PEG (Polyethylene glycol)
  • Phthalates
  • Propylene glycol (pg) & butylene glycol
  • Triclosan

Are Cruelty-Free Ingredients Safe?

If you're worried about how safe it is to use cosmetics not tested on animals – please relax and take a sigh of relief.

There is no reason why cruelty-free products shouldn't be just as safe as anything tested on an animal.

Not only is it easy to test ingredients without using animals altogether, but there are so many pre-approved ingredients you can use to make cosmetics that there really is no need.

If you're interested, here's more on the subject: Are Cruelty-Free Cosmetics Safe?

Is YUNI Sustainable and Ethical? 

YUNI has an impressive set of sustainability and ethical initiatives, giving more than just lip service when it comes to responsible beauty and mindful living.

As it stands, the brand:

  • Keeps people's needs (both customers like you and their team) at the heart of the business.
  • Has sustainability efforts across its supply chain.
  • Avoids artificial ingredients and opts for natural ingredient wherever possible

It's no secret that the world has a huge waste problem, and cosmetic brands are only making it worse by using unsustainable packaging and harmful ingredients.

Some of the ways YUNI is taking strong environmental accountability are by:

  • Using natural ingredients and biodegradable formulas that are kinder to the environment.
  • Prohibiting the use of synthetic microbeads that pollute our waters and harm marine life.
  • Avoiding extra packaging and only using sustainable or recycled materials (paper) when needed.
  • Having an active recycling program that you can learn about on their website.
  • Sourcing Mica responsibly from mines that do not use child labor or any other form of unethical harvesting practices.
  • Saving energy by having a 90% solar and wind power manufacturing plant.
  • Offering refillable cosmetics to save on packaging waste.Having a renewable energy-powered warehouse.
  • Using sustainably sourced paper (FSC certified) and plant-based (soy) ink.
  • Combining PCR plastic, plant-based resin, and glass to make their packaging.
  • Not using palm oil in any of its products.

Final Thoughts

YUNI is dedicated to being as holistic as possible, and living by yoga teachings is commendable. We love that they've combined the need to balance your well-being if you want to maximize your activity levels.

The brand is entirely vegan, cruelty-free, and has a transparent supply chain – all the things needed to build a more eco-conscious beauty industry.

The sustainability measures put in place by the brand are also impressive. There were very few questions we couldn't find the answers to easily; this level of honesty is great to see.

YUNI is doing so well for a brand that launched in 2016. Although it isn't perfect just yet – we can't wait to see how they grow and expand its positive reach. 

Is Virtue Cruelty-Free and Vegan in 2022?
Is St. Ives Cruelty-Free and Vegan? (Partly – Here’s Why)