The secrets of Monoi
DISCOVER THE SECRETS OF MONOÏ
Monoï is a precious oil originating from French Polynesia. It has a strong smell, and is widely used for skin and hair care. It has an appellation of origin and its instructions for use follow a precise rite. What are the secrets of Monoi? Discover them.
WHAT IS MONOÏ?
It is a beauty product obtained from the combination of Tiare flowers and refined copra oil. It is a traditional beauty ritual rooted in the culture of French Polynesia. It is generally used during massage sessions with Tahitians. However, women also use this precious nectar to moisturize their skin and to maintain their magnificent hair.
Monoi contains no UVA and UVB filters, but is wrongly used as a tanning oil.
WHAT ARE THE STAGES IN THE MANUFACTURING OF MONOI AND HOW IS IT PRODUCED?
The monoi production process is the same for all producers in Tahiti. The first step is to pick up the Tiare flowers are picked up while they are still just buds. The day or sometimes the next day, they are macerated in refined copra oil. By doing so, we manage to preserve the very particular perfume of the flowers. The dose to be respected is at least 10 flowers per litre.
The flowers then remain in this oil bath for at least ten days. This is a technique similar to that of enfleurage in the world of perfumery. Thereafter, we move on to the decantation and filtering of the macerate. In the traditional method, a natural antioxidant is added to the resulting liquid. However, it may happen that manufacturers resort to chemical antioxidants. Before it is put on the market, the local Economic Affairs Department checks the oil and checks in particular whether it meets the requirements of the designation of origin.
Being essentially oil, monoi is in a liquid state when it is hot, and can solidify or have deposits in contact with cold. This has no impact on the quality or the fragrance of the product. It is quite possible to apply monoi on the skin or hair whatever its state (liquid or solid).
MONOÏ, A PRODUCT UNDER DESIGNATION OF ORIGIN
There are two types of monoi in Tahiti: traditional monoi, made from fresh and grated coconut almonds (known as monoï des mamas), and monoi de Tahiti. You can rarely find monoï des mamas outside the peninsula. Indeed, for regulatory reasons, it cannot be exported, leaving room for the second type.
This monoï whose country of manufacture is also Tahiti is made using the same process, but differs very slightly from the original recipe. However, it is more suitable for export and the cosmetics industry. It has an appellation of origin defined in decree 92-340 dated April 1, 1992 mentioning "Monoï de Tahiti is the product obtained by maceration of tiare flowers in refined coconut oil, extracted from coconuts harvested in the geographical area of French Polynesia at the ripe nut stage, on soils of coral origin. These nuts must come from the “Cocos nucifera” coconut palm and the tiare flowers of the “Gardenia tahitensis” plant species (Flore de Candolle) of Polynesian origin harvested at the bud stage. »
Thus, it must have on the instructions for a product containing Monoi de Tahiti, ingredients such as “cocos nucifera” and “gardenia tahitensis”. Thus, by respecting the designation of origin, cosmetics containing Monoi de Tahiti respecting the designation of origin generally display what helps consumers to better identify the products.
What about organic farming certification? If ECOCERT certification is possible for monoi, the latter cannot however obtain the organic label, because refined copra oil is present in its composition. Consequently, there is no organic Monoi de Tahiti.
MONOÏ, FOR WHOM?
Monoi is a product that can be used by the whole family. Since Antiquity, it has been the basic element for baby's body massage and it is used to protect fragile skin. It is a gentle product.
If women are big fans of monoi, there are sometimes men who also apply this kind of oil, which not only smells very good, but also has very intense moisturizing benefits. It is a product suitable for the skin and for the hair.
For a successful hydration of the skin, it is preferable to opt for a daily application and all the year on a wet skin. Monoi helps to even out the tan, and to nourish the skin after exposure to the sun. This natural emollient also helps relieve redness caused by the sun and prevent the skin from peeling.
Who doesn't dream of having hair as strong and shiny as that of Tahitian women?! Do you know that their beauty secret is hidden under the name of a precious oil: monoi. Indeed, in contact with damp hair, it acts as a deep nourishing treatment for dry or damaged hair fibres. Thanks to the action of copra oil and the scent of Tiare flowers, it will be easier to style the hair, because the latter will be softer, supple and shinier. The ideal is to apply the monoi in the form of a mask to be left overnight before shampoo. Attention! It is dangerous to expose your hair to the sun when coated with monoi, as it can cause burns.