“There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t fret over the world we’re leaving for the next generation. When I speak of these things, I’m not talking about internet hysteria. I’m talking about World Health Organisation papers, respected scientific journals. Science.”

What began as a presentation on organic skincare became something far more expansive when TAN members gathered for an evening with Y natural founder, Barbara. Positioned as a preview of Y 2.0, the session quickly moved beyond product into purpose revealing a philosophy grounded as much in values as in formulation.

Barbara opened with a reflection that set the tone for the night, marking both transition and continuity.

“For me, this is more than starting a new chapter – it’s more like finishing a book and starting the sequel… there’s a kind of quiet, respectful serendipity in the timing of this presentation.”

From there, she revisited the origins of Y natural, describing a brand that set out to challenge industry norms from the outset.

“We knew there is no point in doing what someone else is doing… every single thing we did had to be next level.”

This pursuit of excellence wasn’t simply about removing harmful ingredients; it was about redefining what skincare could be.

“We didn’t just eliminate the bad and the questionable—we eliminated the ordinary.”

As the conversation turned to Y 2.0, Barbara introduced a more personal evolution. It has been one that integrates her own philosophies on wellbeing, resilience and longevity. She speaks about moving away from language she had long been uncomfortable with, including the term “anti-age,” in favour of something more aligned with lived experience. Drawing on her love of distance running and ocean swimming, she has now described a reframing of these products around the idea of “The Long Run”, a perspective that embraces care, consistency and self-acceptance over quick fixes.

This shift reflects a broader repositioning of the brand, away from fear and towards empowerment.

“I’m not one of those people who goes around revving up the fear… your choices can be your superpower—why select something else, when you can opt to select beautiful.”

But it was her wider reflections on the beauty industry and the world it reflects, that resonated most strongly. The discussion moved beyond products altogether, into culture and lived experience.

“It underscores the fact that being a woman in today’s world is in itself a political act.”

By the end of the evening, attendees had been introduced to new product developments and a re-energised vision for Y natural. It is one that sits within science, ethics and everyday life. In that sense, the event delivered exactly what it promised and more; an invitation to think differently about the choices we make and the systems we’re part of.

“It was important that we not only minimise our footprint, but actually help to leave the world better than it would have been, had we not existed.”

More than skincare, indeed.

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Event Gift

The evenings gift to guests was a still unnamed product which will be on the market soon – included all of Barbara’s favourites, including (she says) “Jojoba, the most versatile oil (which is actually not an oil, but is a wax ester that is liquid at room temperature). It is so similar to the skin’s own sebum that the skin accepts like it belongs there – and it works equally well for oily and dry skin profiles. So this is one we recommend whether a customer is a 16 year old grappling with breakouts, or someone with mature skin that needs extra TLC.

Then there are some more unusual but wonderful oils:

prickly pear, argan, seabuckthorn, golden hemp.

The prickly pear is really the hero – this oil comes from Tunisia.

There’s also Bakuchiol, a natural way to get the benefits of retinol without having to worry about burning your skin.

The essential oils are

Bulgarian Rose Otto (costs more per gram than gold)

Helichrysum AKA ‘Imortelle’

Sandalwood and Frankincense

Then there are a few of my classic go-tos like Calendula infused oil for its calming benefits, natural Vitamin E infused oil for additional antioxidant grunt, and the humble thistle which we’re all familiar with as Safflower (but never ever use supermarket safflower on your face – the CO is a whole different thang to the mass produced supermarket stuff).”

Ynatural.com.au
Use code TAN2000 for a 10% discount (limited time)