Tiare flowers in Polynesia, an exotic ingredient in monoi oil. Photo ©Jcomp | CUIDA-T

Hemonoï(which means "perfumed oil" in the Maohi language) is a traditional oil from French Polynesia that featuresdesignation of originIt is made using themacerationof fresh flowersTiare(Gardenia taitensis) in refined oil ofcoconutextracted from the dried pulp or copra.

The Gold of Polynesia

• Original Name:Monoï (from the maohi)Reo Maohi, which means "scented oil").
• Origin:French Polynesia (Tahiti and its islands).
• Monoï Oil Key Ingredients: Tiaré Flower(Gardenia taitensis): National symbol of Tahiti.Coconut oil(Cocos nucifera): Extracted from the dried pulp (copra) of coconuts harvested from coral soils.
• Quality Seal:It hasDesignation of Origin (DO)since 1992, which guarantees that the flowers are from Tahiti and the process follows the traditional method.

Properties and Benefits

Monoï is a natural "all-in-one" thanks to its high concentration of fatty acids and vitamin E:

• Extreme hydration:It penetrates the deep layers of the skin without clogging pores, leaving it supple and smooth.
• Capillary shield:It repairs damaged hair fibers, prevents breakage, and controls frizz.
• Natural calming agent:Thanks to the methyl salicylate from the Tiare flower, it soothes skin after sun exposure and reduces irritation.
• "Glow" effect:It gives an immediate satin shine to the skin and hair.

Interesting facts

• The secret of the Vahines:Polynesian women (Vahines) have used it for centuries to protect their skin and long black hair from the scorching sun and sea salt.
• Sacred Use:In ancient times, the priests (Tahu'a) they used it in rituals to anoint sacred objects and during birth or wedding ceremonies.
• The Ritual of the 12 Flowers:For an oil to receive the DO seal, Tiare flowers must be macerated in coconut oil for at least10 daysand a minimum of10 to 12 flowers per literof oil.
• It's a natural "thermometer":Monoï solidifies below the24°CIf you see that your bottle is solid, that's a good sign: it's pure! You just need to put it under a stream of warm water to make it liquid again.
• Why does it smell like vacation?Its aroma is not artificial; it's the natural chemical result of maceration. Notes of vanilla, gardenia, and coconut blend to create a fragrance that the brain immediately associates with summer.