It is the jewel of French Polynesia, a small white marble flower, the beauty secret of Polynesian women: the gardenia taitensis, more commonly known as the Tiare.

From the maceration of its petals in pure Coconut oil comes Monoi de Tahiti (pronounced Ma-noy). Today we discuss this beauty elixir, its benefits and cosmetic uses.

How it is achieved.

Monoi oil is obtained through a long maceration process.

Tiare flowers are harvested when they have not yet hatched, stripped of the pistil and steeped in coconut oil for a minimum of 15 days (this technique is called enflourage).

In order to obtain the Designation of Origin label, producers must meet certain standards, so for every liter of refined coconut oil, at least 15 Tiare flowers must be used.

An ancient tradition.

It seems that Monoi Oil was widely known as early as the indigenous Polynesians and used for religious, medicinal and cosmetic purposes. The precious ointment was sprinkled on the bodies of the dead to facilitate passage to the Afterlife; used to moisturize the body during the summer and prevent it from becoming too cold during the winter.

In the Polynesian tradition, there were actually several types of preparations that had Coconut Oil as a base and differed in the type of flower macerated: for example, there was Monoi Miri, made from the flowers and leaves of Basil; Monoi Motoi, made from the flowers of Ylang- Ylang; or Monoi Pitate, made by macerating jasmine flowers.

Uses and benefits of Tahitian Monoi

Monoi Oil has always been known by Tahitian women as a precious elixir of beauty. It boasts moisturizing, emollient, soothing properties and, thanks to the presence of Vitamin E, also exerts a powerful antioxidant action on the skin. Tiare flower gives the blend an intoxicating vanilla scent that mingles with the sweet, exotic scent of coconut.

Monoi Tahiti from Naturetica is 100% pure and cold-pressed without the use of solvents.
It can be used in a variety of ways. We recommend it:

• As a moisturizer on damp skin after showering;
• As an after-sun, to moisturize and make the skin supple;
• As a fragrant massage oil;
• as a nutrient for dry, brittle hair (also use after a day at the beach);
• As a cuticle oil;
• as a natural tanner (but be careful! always in combination with SPF protection to avoid sunburn).