Tahitian for "scented oil", Monoi – pronounced "mah-noy" – is a fragrant elixir made from coconut oil and tiare flowers (also known as Tahitian gardenias). Although this hot ingredient has only recently caused a stir in beauty circles, it has been a staple of the beauty of the South Pacific for centuries. Eminence Organics recognized the nourishing benefits of Monoi and formulated part of their Age Corrective Collection with this unique oil. Read on to discover the three health and beauty benefits of monoi, the history of the Tahitian monoi, as well as our skin care tips to add this unique ingredient to your skin care routine.
What is monoi | Monoi's story | Benefits of Monoi for Health and Beauty | How to add monoi to your skin care routine
What is monoi
Monoi oil is an ancient preparation made by soaking tiare flower buds or petals in coconut oil. This fragrant oil has its roots in islands across the South Pacific, including Tahiti, Samoa, Tonga, and the Cook Islands. The Institut du Monoi describes the manufacturing process as follows: “Coconuts of the Cocos nucifera variety must be grown on coral soil and harvested when they are ripe. Tiare flowers (Gardenia taitensis) handpicked as buds must be used within 24 hours of harvest. According to local tradition, maceration must last at least 10 days and requires at least ten tiare flowers per liter of refined oil. ”The process of making monoi oil has been passed down from generations of healers in the South Pacific. This oil is subject to strict production standards to protect the cultural heritage of the Monoi flowers.
The tiare plant thrives in a warm, tropical climate with partial to full sun and frequent watering. The beautiful buds bloom from March to November and are usually harvested around dusk. In French Polynesia alone, 110 million tiare flowers are harvested each year. Similarly, coconut palms thrive in warm climates with lots of sunlight and rain. These hardy plants also thrive on the sandy soils along the coastline, meaning the islands of the South Pacific are ideal for their growth.
Monoi's story
Although its origins are not entirely clear, Monoi has been used by residents of the Pacific Islands for over 2000 years, giving it significant cultural significance across the region. Traditionally, this light, amber-colored oil liquid is used in religious ceremonies to cleanse sacred objects, as a medicinal remedy to relieve general ailments, and as a versatile beauty ingredient to soften skin and hair.
The main ingredients in Monoi play an important role in various Polynesian cultures. For example, the tiare flower has been used in Polynesian herbalism for thousands of years. Tiare flowers can also be seen in the mythology of the area. Legend has it that the tiare flower was created by Atea, the ocean god of creation, and Tane, the god of beauty. In addition, these beautiful flowers are a symbol of the people and cultures of the region.
Like the monoi flower, the coconut also plays an important role in the cultures of the South Pacific. Various groups have relied on coconut as a source of food, oil, wood, and fiber. The coconut is also part of the lore of the region, particularly in the legend of Sina and the eel, which explains the origin of the first coconut palm. Versions of this legend are told by Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, and by the Māori of New Zealand.
Benefits of Monoi Oil for Health and Beauty
What makes this ingredient so unique? Here are the top three health and beauty benefits of monoi oil for your skin, hair, and health:
1. Provides skin and hair with intensive moisture
Monoi is a soothing and protective oil that deeply hydrates the skin without depriving it of its natural oils. The people of the South Pacific have long used monoi oil as a full-body moisturizer to protect their skin from harsh environmental factors such as the intense tropical sun and the drying salt water of their surroundings.
In recent years, the moisturizing and protective properties of monoi have been a sought-after asset in the beauty and skin care industries. Dr. Whitney Bowe Says Huffington Post Style, “Monoi oil contains coconut oil, which has been shown to have tremendous moisturizing benefits for the skin and hair. The essential fatty acids in coconut oil, such as lauric acid, can repair hair damage and increase shine. "
2. Delays signs of aging
There's a reason the South Pacific cultures have passed their Monoi beauty secrets down from generation to generation. Taking care of your skin with the potent elixir can minimize the visible signs of aging. Since monoi is based on coconut oil, this incredible superfood is full of antioxidants like vitamin E and ferulic acid that have powerful antiaging properties. In fact, vitamin E and ferulic acid help neutralize the effects of free radical damage. Many environmental stressors, such as UV rays, heat, and sunlight, expose the skin to free radicals that cause fine lines and wrinkles.
3. Soothes and repairs dry skin
One of the main benefits of monoi oil is its calming effect on reactive and chronically dry skin. This multi-purpose Tahitian oil is traditionally used in Polynesian medicine to soothe dry, flaky skin associated with sensitivity and specific conditions. According to Healthline.com, "Monoi oil may also act as an anti-inflammatory that can reduce the symptoms of common skin conditions, including eczema and contact dermatitis." The tiaré flowers used in Monoi contain high levels of methyl salicylate and lauric acid, ingredients known for their calming and tonic properties.
Here's how to incorporate monoi into your skin care routine
At Eminence Organics, we use Monoi to deeply hydrate the skin, improve the appearance of firmness and delay the visible signs of aging. Here are a few skin care products that contain this luxurious ingredient:
Have you tried skin care products with monoi? If not, experience these extremely moisturizing monoi-infused products and various treatments at an Eminence Organics Spa partner near you. We are happy to hear from them! Ask us your questions about monoi in the comments below and join the discussion on social media.
This article was originally written June 2015.