Professional Purity
Each exquisite Yüm ingredient is carefully selected for freshness, purity, quality, and potency. Our formulation team sourced natural therapeutic ingredients that create a harmonious balance between your skin and each Yüm product. Our formulation team, with over 40 years experience in organic chemistry, esthetics, health & beauty, pioneered a fresh new approach to therapeutic skincare employing traditional ingredients in their purest form.
The source of each ingredient is as important as the ingredient itself. Yüm supports ecologically friendly, sustainable and fair trade agricultural practices. Many of our ingredients are grown under organic conditions without the use of synthetic preservatives and fertilizers. The vast majority of our oils, both essential and carrier, are harvested from certified or certified natural sources. Many of our products do not contain animal source ingredients and are Vegan friendly. Those ingredients that are traditionally sourced from animals are substituted in favor of an eco friendly plant based alternative. A large proportion of Yüm botanical ingredients are extracted in our own lab using a traditional steam distillation method. This process eliminates the use of glycols or preservatives to extend the shelf life of the extract.
Extraction Methods
Many Essential Oil, Hydrosols and Botanical Extracts commonly used in Yüm products are obtained using the method of water distillation. The water distillation process starts when botanical material is completely immersed in water and the still is brought to a boil. This method protects the oils, as they are brought to a high temperature, and the surrounding water acts as a barrier to prevent overheating.
When the condensed material cools down, the water and essential oil is separated and the product decanted.
The water that is separated in this process is also used and known as "floral waters" (or hydrosol or sweet water) - such as rosewater, lavender water and orange water.
Water distillation can be done at reduced pressure (under vacuum) to reduce the temperature to less than 100 degrees, which is beneficial in protecting the botanical material, as well as the essential oils.
Botanical Extractions are made using an enclosed flask where there is an inverted condenser pointing down into the flask from the top. Just below the condenser is the suspended recovery vessel. The condenser has cold liquid circulating through it to keep the condenser cold. In the bottom of the main flask alcohol is placed to facilitate the extraction process. Ground plant material is placed in the recovery vessel with perforated sides and bottom so liquid can fall through it. Gentle heat is applied to the main flask allowing the solvent to evaporate and vapors reach the cold condenser at the top of the flask. The re-condensed solvent on the sides of the condenser begin flowing down the sides of the condenser and dripping off drip points on the end of the condenser. The solvent drips into the top of the recovery vessel where it saturates the herb being extracted. The solvent flows through the basket and out the holes in the bottom of the basket carrying the extract with it into the bottom of the flask.
The extract laden solvent falling from the recovery vessel is dark in color and as it becomes clearer you see the plant material leached out and the process is finished.
The next step is the separation of the alcohol from the extract itself. This is done by re condensing the liquid in the recovery flask. The recovery vessel is simply a cup which is suspended below the condenser. As solvent vapors re-condense and fall off the tip of the condenser, they fall into the cup and are separated from the extract itself.
Preservatives & Shelf Life
Yüm has created a unique preservative system derived from natural sources and food grade ingredients. We combine the properties of salicylic acid (plant source), hydroxymethlglycinate (glycine - lecithin source), sodium benzoate (fruit source), decyl glycoside (plant source), gluconolactone (sugar source) at low levels to create a synergetic preservative system that provides superior shelf life.
Our proprietary preservative system is robust. However the products require special handling and packaging. Many Yüm formulations contain photo-sensitive ingredients that can be adversely affected by direct sunlight. To provide the freshest products possible we sell all specialty treatment and skincare in recyclable boxes that extend the unopened shelf life of these products. As well we recommend the use of spatulas when handling crèmes and masques to minimize bacterial contamination.
Another unique feature of Yüm products is the seasonal variation in the appearance and scent of our products much the same as you notice when buying fruit and vegetables in winter months.
As with all natural products we recommend they are stored in a cool dark place with stable and consistent temperature. Never freeze or expose Yüm products to extremes as it will compromise the emulsion or shelf life of the product. We do not use propylene glycol in any of our products, which performs in a similar way to anti-freeze, thus eliminating the need for special handling instructions. Typical room temperature is 68-77 degree F (20-25 degrees C) and is the perfect environment for Yüm. When cosmetics of any kind are stored at higher temperatures the preservative system is significantly deteriorated. A good rule of thumb is that; one week stored at temperatures higher than 85 degrees F is equal to three months shelf life.
Organic vs Chemical
Organic ingredients are grown without the use of conventional pesticides, artificial fertilizers or sewage, and are processed without ionizing radiation or food additives. Increasingly organic production of food and animal products are requiring producers to obtain certification in order to market as organic, however, the use of the term organic is widely used without any certification or authentication in the skin care industry.
All Yüm products are listed in INCI (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients) compliant format, which is necessary to make a product acceptable for entrance into international markets and sale in the United States. INCI names are generally the Latin names and English counterpart or the proper scientific name for all ingredients found in our products. INCI provides a standardized description, however, it does not provide information on the source of the ingredient. The source is as important as the ingredient itself as there are often several ways to obtain an ingredient, some naturally others synthetic. Wherever possible we have selected naturally occurring - or natural source ingredients.
Natural Ingredients
The use of natural and natural source ingredients is growing in popularity as consumers become aware of the ecological and biological impact of synthetic ingredients internally and externally. Yüm uses natural ingredients that are present in or produced by nature, or produced using minimal physical processing. Our extraction methods are simple, using simple chemical processing or are a result of naturally occurring biological processes (such as fermentation).
Our products are:
- not synthetically produced
- ecologically ethical - grown, harvested, raised and processed in an ecological or sustainable manner
- not extracted or processed using anything other than natural ingredients
- not exposed to irradiation
- not genetically engineered
- not GMOs (genetically modified organisms)
- not containing synthetic preservatives
- not containing artificial colors
Certified Organic
Certified Organic is a subset of organic foods and plants. It's a regulated process that requires producers to follow specific rules and methods in their growing. Farms that grow Certified Organic foods, for example, must be free of chemical use for at least three years.
Certified Organic are more expensive than traditionally grown, sometimes twice as much due to a number of factors. Normally when fertilizers and pesticides are used produce is larger more robust. Certified Organic, which does not use these tools, tend to yield smaller crops or those that are more likely to fall prey to insects and disease. The increased cost of producing is inevitably passed along to the consumer. Using Organic or Certified Organic product is particularly important if you plan to use the skin of produce. Skin is more likely to absorb chemicals and contain pesticide residue.
