With age comes experience, wisdom and beauty. We’ve entered a new age of skin care that celebrates the aging process and embraces the changes it brings. Instead of concentrating on anti-aging, it’s time to focus on keeping your skin healthy and radiant, no matter your age. Read on for our guide to aging gracefully. 

How Skin Ages | Signs Of Aging | How To Age Gracefully

How Skin Ages

Just like the rest of the body, our skin gets older with time. For some, the aging process is slow and steady, while for others it can accelerate at a quick pace. The rate of skin aging differs from person to person and depends on a variety of factors including genetics, lifestyle and exposure to environmental stressors. 

Two Aging Processes

As we get older, our bodies naturally start to age. This process, also referred to as intrinsic aging, is a continual process by which our cellular and biological functions slow. With time, the skin’s strong and flexible matrix begins to weaken and hyaluronic acid, elastin and collagen naturally deplete. 

Our bodies are also subject to extrinsic aging caused by exposure to environmental stressors. These include lifestyle choices like smoking, poor diet and lack of exercise as well as external factors like pollution, blue light radiation and UV rays from the sun. Intrinsic aging accounts for only 10 percent of skin changes; the remaining 90 percent is caused by these external influences which accelerate the aging process.​

Free Radicals

How does environmental aging happen? Pollution, blue light and UV rays expose skin to free radicals. Heidi Waldorf MD likens these highly reactive molecules to “anti-oxygen bombs that trigger inflammation and cascades of damage”. Unchecked, free radicals cause oxidative stress that damages the skin, degrades its structural proteins and leads to premature aging. 

Inflammaging

When the skin is repeatedly exposed to free radicals, a process called inflammaging can kick in. According to our Product Support Representatives: “Inflammaging is a term used to describe aging induced by chronic, persistent, underlying inflammation that ultimately exhausts the skin’s defense system. This weakens skin structure, results in the degradation of collagen and elastin and impairs the skin’s barrier function.” 

Signs Of Aging

As we age, it’s normal for our years to begin to show on our faces. Here are a few signs of aging that develop due to the loss of hyaluronic acid, collagen and elastin over time.

Fine Lines And Wrinkles

Hyaluronic acid, collagen and elastin are what keeps the skin plump, firm and elastic. They give skin the density and bounce typical of a youthful complexion. As they degrade, the skin loses moisture, structural support and elasticity. It can’t bounce back from repetitive motions (like frowning and smiling) and begins to fold in on itself, causing creasing in the form of fine lines and wrinkles (hello, forehead lines).

Sagging Skin

As it loses strength, the skin also has greater difficulty defying the pull of gravity. Our skin starts to slacken and hang more loosely, especially around the lower face and neck. Eminence Organics International Trainer Brian Goodwin explains: “When the foundation slips, we see jowls form, loosening of the tissue around the eyes and an overall drooped appearance for the entire face.”

When the foundation slips, we see jowls form, loosening of the tissue around the eyes and an overall drooped appearance for the entire face.

Hyperpigmentation

Another sign of aging skin is hyperpigmentation in the form of sun and age spots. In aging skin, these dark spots are typically brought on by years of sun exposure. When faced with UV rays, the skin protects itself by triggering the production of a pigment called melanin. As time passes and the skin’s melanocytes (the cells that produce melanin) are stimulated over and over, they start to overproduce and cause deposits of pigment on the skin’s surface.

How To Age Gracefully And Maintain Healthy Skin

While you can’t turn back the hands of time, you can make simple changes that ease the aging process. There are several ways to keep aging skin in good shape, including adopting a healthy lifestyle, eating a balanced diet and using results-oriented skin care.

Healthy Lifestyle

One of the best ways to minimize the visible signs of inflammaging is to cut down on stress. According to the Huffington Post, studies show that people with high levels of stress have shorter telomeres, which are located at the tips of DNA chromosomes causing cells to die or become damaged more quickly. Adopting healthy habits like regular exercise, meditation and a sleep schedule can help ease stress and by extension, slow premature aging. 

Balanced Diet

Another way to help your skin age gracefully is to adjust your diet. Sugar, salt and alcohol are key culprits of premature aging and can easily be cut down. Swap in antioxidant-rich foods such as berries and leafy greens to assist your body in fighting free radicals. And, (surprise!) drink plenty of H2O to keep your skin (and body) hydrated and healthy.

Tahitian for “scented oil,” monoi – pronounced “mah-noy” – is a fragrant elixir made from coconut oil and tiare flowers (also known as Tahitian gardenias). While only recently building buzz in beauty circles, this hot ingredient has been a South Pacific beauty staple for centuries. Eminence Organics recognized the nourishing benefits of monoi, formulating part of its Age Corrective Collection with this unique oil. Read on to uncover three health and beauty benefits of monoi, the history of tahitian monoi, as well as our skin care tips for adding this unique ingredient to your skin care routine.

What Is Monoi? | Monoi's History | Health And Beauty Benefits Of Monoi | How To Add Monoi Into Your Skin Care Routine

What Is Monoi?

Monoi oil is an ancient preparation made by steeping tiare flower buds or petals in coconut oil. This fragrant oil has roots in islands throughout the South Pacific, including Tahiti, Samoa, Tonga and the Cook Islands. Here’s how the Institut du Monoi describes the production process: “Coconuts of the Cocos nucifera variety must be grown on coral soil and harvested at a mature stage. Tiare flowers (Gardenia Taitensis), handpicked as buds, must be used within 24 hours of harvesting. According to local tradition, the maceration must last a minimum of 10 days and requires at least ten Tiare flowers per liter of refined oil.” The process of making monoi oil has been passed down by generations of South Pacific healers. This oil is held to rigorous standards of production, designed to protect the cultural heritage of monoi blossoms. 

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 typically harvested at dusk. Each year, 110 million tiare flowers are harvested in French Polynesia alone. Similarly, coconut palms flourish in warm climates with an abundance of both sunlight and rainfall. These hardy plants also thrive in the sandy soils found along coastlines, meaning the islands of the South Pacific are ideal for their growth. 

Monoi’s History

While its origins aren’t entirely clear, monoi has been used by Pacific Islanders for over 2000 years, giving it significant cultural meaning throughout the region. Traditionally, this lightweight, amber-colored oil liquid has been used in religious ceremonies to purify sacred objects, as a medicinal remedy to alleviate common ailments and as a multi-purpose beauty ingredient to soften skin and hair. 

Monoi’s key ingredients play a vital role in various Polynesian cultures and the tiare flowers are seen throughout the region's mythology. According to Tahitian legend, this flower was created by Atea, the Oceanic God of Creation, and Tane, the God of Beauty. Additionally, these beautiful blossoms are considered to be a symbol of the region’s people and cultures. 

Like the monoi blossom, coconut plays a significant role in South Pacific culture and the people rely on it as a source of food, oil, wood and fiber. Coconut has also been a part of the region’s lore, notably in the legend of Sina and the eel, which explains the origin of the first coconut tree. Versions of this legend are told through Samoa, Tonga, Fiji and by the Māori in New Zealand.   

Health and Beauty Benefits of Monoi Oil

What makes this ingredient so unique? Here are three primary health and beauty benefits of monoi oil for your skin, hair and health:

1. Deeply Hydrates Your Skin And Hair

Monoi is a soothing and protective oil that deeply hydrates skin without stripping 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 against harsh environmental stressors like the intense tropical sun and drying salt water of their environment.  

Thanks to Vitamin E, Monoi helps stop protein loss in the hair, preventing breakage and reducing split ends  Dr. Whitney Bowe tells 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, like lauric acid, may repair hair damage and increase shine.”

2. Delays Signs Of Aging

There’s a reason that South Pacific cultures have passed on their monoi beauty secrets from generation to generation. Monoi not only adds luster to your locks, it nurtures your skin to minimize the visible signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles. As monoi’s base is coconut oil, this incredible superfood is packed with antioxidants like Vitamin E and ferulic acid. In fact, Vitamin E and ferulic acid help to neutralize the effects of free radical damage. Many environmental stressors like UV rays, heat and sunlight all expose skin to free radicals, which cause fine lines and wrinkles. 

3. Soothes And Repairs Dry Skin

One of the major benefits of monoi oil is the soothing effect it has on reactive and chronically dry skin. This multi-purpose oil has been traditionally used in Polynesian medicine to soothe dry, flaky skin linked to sensitivity and specific conditions. It's more typically used as a full-body moisturizer to protect skin against the drying effects of intense tropical sun, harsh winds and saltwater. According to Healthline.com, “Monoi oil can also act as an anti-inflammatory that can reduce symptoms from known skin conditions, including eczema and contact dermatitis.” The tiare flowers used in monoi contain high levels of methyl salicylate and lauric acid, ingredients known for soothing and restorative properties. 

How To Add Monoi into Your Skin Care Routine

At Eminence Organics, we use monoi in our Age Corrective Collection to deeply hydrate skin, improve the look of firmness and delay the visible signs of aging. This exotic ingredient is essential to our Monoi Age Corrective products as it helps nourish dry skin and return much-needed moisture to mature skin. 

Brian Goodwin, International Educator at Eminence Organic Skin Care, suggests using the Monoi Age Corrective Collection in your nighttime regimen: “The skin is more receptive to absorbing ingredients at night, when the epidermis becomes more penetrable. This factor makes it even more paramount to incorporate hydrating ingredients and protective oils into nighttime routines.”

Here are a few skin care products that incorporate this luxurious ingredient:

• Monoi Age Corrective Exfoliating Cleanser: Gentle, multi-action exfoliating cleanser that washes away impurities, removes surface debris and smooths skin.
• Monoi Age Corrective Night Cream For Face & Neck: Ultra-rich night cream that replenishes moisture and leaves skin with a smooth, youthful appearance. This moisturizer helps minimize the look of saggy skin around your neck and jawline.
• Monoi Age Corrective Night Body Cream: Moisturizing body cream that leaves skin looking denser, firmer and smoother by morning.

Have you tried skin care products with monoi? If not, experience these ultra hydrating monoi-infused products and different treatments at an Eminence Organics Spa Partner near you. We’d love to hear from you! Ask us your questions about this ingredient in the comments below and join the conversation on social media.

This article was originally written in June 2015.