One of my favorite oils in the world is Monoi oil. Derived from soaking Tahitian gardenias in pure coconut oil, this luxurious elixir has been treasured by Polynesian cultures for centuries for its myriad benefits for the skin and hair. It can help strengthen your hair, soften your skin, and leave you smelling like you’re on a perfect Tahitian vacation. Two days ago, I made a fabulous body butter with monoi oil and the result was magical.
Benefits of Monoi Oil:
Deep Hydration: Monoi oil is rich in fatty acids, making it an excellent moisturizer for dry and dehydrated skin. It penetrates deeply to nourish and hydrate, leaving the skin soft, supple, and rejuvenated.
Antioxidant Protection: Packed with antioxidants, monoi oil helps combat free radical damage caused by environmental stressors like pollution and UV radiation. This protective shield helps prevent premature aging, keeping your skin youthful and radiant.
Soothing Properties: Monoi oil has soothing and anti-inflammatory properties, making it ideal for calming irritated or sensitive skin. It can help reduce redness, inflammation, and discomfort, providing relief for various skin conditions.
Hair Care Hero: Beyond skincare, monoi oil works wonders for hair health. It strengthens strands, minimizes breakage, and adds shine and luster to dull, damaged hair. It also helps tame frizz and nourish the scalp, promoting healthy hair growth.
Monoi Oil Body Butter Recipe:
Ingredients:
2 tbsp. beeswax pellets
1/4 c. monoi oil
1/4 c. organic raw shea butter
2 tbsp. oil (avocado, almond, jojoba)
Vanilla essential oil
Instructions:
Fill a saucepan about half full with water and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low.
Place a stainless steel bowl over the saucepan. Completely cover the opening with the bowl to prevent steam from getting into the oils.
Add the beeswax pellets, shea butter, and other oil to the bowl (I used jojoba). Allow them to melt, stirring occasionally, until you achieve a liquid form. Add monoi oil and remove from heat. The heat from the mixture should melt the monoi while preserving the delicate scent.
Add vanilla essential oil until you reach your desired scent. I used about 30 drops in my mixture.
Carefully pour the hot liquid into wide mouth jar or container.
Stir occasionally as mixture cools to achieve and maintain a creamy consistency.
This luxurious monoi oil body butter smells and feels like heaven. It's the perfect light floral vanilla spring scent which will leave you hydrated and refreshed!