The creation of MŪN Skincare (pronounced 'moon') was co-founded by makeup artist Munemi Imai a few years ago, and her passion for green living lead her to envisioning a natural line. While traveling and learning about ingredients, she had a remarkable experience with using Prickly Pair Oil while on a trip in Morocco, where MŪN sources this oil from a local co-op of women.
“The MŪN philosophy- to make a company that would do good from end to end - from the customer who uses the product and experiences better skin to the producers who use ethical practices to protect our environment and bring sustainable growth where it’s needed.”
The line currently consists of five stellar products: cleanser, toner, serum, multipurpose oil, and a body serum. Every ingredient serves a purpose. There is a travel set available also, which is a great way to introduce these beautiful products into your routine.
Travel Set, $75
AKWI PURIFYING CLEANSER
-Price: $60 for 3.38oz
-Texture & Smell: Milky serum texture, pleasant citrus smell (probably from the yuzu oil)
-Packaging: Opaque Black Glass with pump
-Ingredients: Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil* Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernel Oil* Aqua Camellia Oleifera (Camellia) Seed Oil* Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Oil Sodium Laurylglucosides Hydroxypropylsulfonate Silica Silylate Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate Sodium Bis-Hydroxyethylglycinate Coco-Glucosides Crosspolymer Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Seed Oil Tocopherol (Non-GMO Vitamin E) Isopropyl Palmitate Citrus Junos (Yuzu) Oil *Certified Organic
-Review: I ADORE this cleanser, and it smells so lovely, you'll have a hard time wanting to rinse it off. Sometimes you find those cleansers that are so uplifting, this is one of them. The pH is slightly acidic, I tested it at about a 4.9. This dissolved even stubborn waterproof makeup easily. All skin types can use this- although it does leave the tiniest nourishing feel if you don't use a gentle muslin or washcloth. Perfect for a first cleanse for oily skin (or use a cloth with it) or as your one and done cleanse for normal to dry skin. This uses gentle cleansing agents derived from coconut in a base of soothing and nourishing antioxidant oils, truly a beautiful product.
ANAROSE HYDRATING ROSE TONER
-Price: $65 for 3.38oz
-Texture & Smell: Liquid watery texture, rose scent (obviously!) which doesn't linger, dries quickly but leaves skin velvety soft.
-Packaging: Opaque Black Glass with misting top
-Ingredients: De-ionized Water, Rose Hydrosol* (Rose Water), Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe) Leaf Juice*, Maltodextrin, Opuntia Ficus-Indica (Prickly Pear) Stem Extract, Lycium Barbarum Fruit (Goji Berry) Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Extract*, Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract, Jasminum Officinale (Jasmine) Flower Extract, Bellis Perennis (Daisy) Flower Extract, Lanthaan Gum, Vegetable Glycerin, Dehydroacetic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol**. *Certified ORGANIC **The Benzyl Alcohol is a naturally occurring ingredient derived from essential oils of Ylang Ylang and Jasmine. It is an aromatic alcohol that functions as a preservative, which is necessary for any product containing water and/or hydrosol to prevent mold, bacteria, and microbial growth.
-Review: This toner is a ph of 4.5, and it goes above and beyond your traditional rose toners and mists. Mun uses organic rose hydrosol as the second ingredient, but also includes many other hydrating, soothing and anti-aging ingredients like prickly pear and goji berry extracts (antioxidant), hyaluronic acid (hydration), and willow bark (a plant based gentle exfoliant). Hydrosols are very different from an essential oil which sometimes can be irritating for certain skin types, they have the same constituents but very different ratios. Since hydrosols are 99.95% water, they are safer than essential oils in regards to possible sensitivity. This does contain 3 flower extracts: Jasmine, Daisy and Rosa Centifolia, all which absolutely have skin benefits, but if you have strong allergies to flowers, do a patch test first.
Opuntia Ficus-Indica aka Prickly Pear! (photo from www.mun.com)
ANKARI BRIGHTENING YOUTH SERUM
-Price: $95 for .68 fl oz
-Texture & Smell: Clear yellowish tint oil, light texture, hearty rose scent.
-Packaging: Opaque Black Glass with pump top
-Ingredients: Opuntia Ficus-Indica (Prickly Pear) Seed Oil*, Argania Spinosa Kernel (Argan) Oil*, Rosa Damascene Flower Oil*. *Certified Organic
-Review: This oil cocktail soaks in quickly, and leaves a beautiful finish on the skin. The rose scent does linger on the skin, so if you are a fan of rose, you'll adore this. Prickly Pear is an antioxidant oil rich in amino acids (boosts collagen), omegas, and vitamin K. Second is Argan oil, another antioxidant oil rich in lipids and fatty acids. The final ingredient is organic rose oil which gives this serum its scent. Mun uses an organic steam distilled rose oil sourced from Bulgaria, which is where the world's best rose oil comes from- and most likely which contributed to the cost of this product. There is research to show this high quality oil to have antimicrobial, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties. I love this for under eyes also!
AYOUR BODY TONING SERUM
-Price: $75 / 3.38oz
-Texture & Smell: This is an oil, but its very light and soaks in so fast- it doesn't leave the skin a bit greasy at all. Scent is herby
-Packaging: Opaque Black Glass with pump top
-Ingredients: Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil*, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Seed Oil, Rosa Moschata (Rosehip) Seed Oil*, Opuntia Ficus Indica (Prickly Pear) Seed Oil*, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil*, Boswellia Carterii (Frankincense) Oil, Origanum Majorana (Marjoram) Oil*, Citrus Aurantium (Neroli) Oil*. *Certified Organic
-Review: The first five ingredients are powerhouse antioxidants with incredible soothing, repairing, anti-aging and hydrating properties which absolutely will improve the appearance of your skin. The last four ingredients are essential oils, which not only give this body serum it's amazing smell but have unique benefits for the skin. I like to apply products like this on slightly damp skin right our of the shower, skin feels very nourished after one use!
PURE ARGAN OIL
-Price: $70 / 6.76oz
-Texture & Smell: No noticeable scent.
-Packaging: Opaque Black Glass with pump top
-Ingredients: Just one! Organic Argan Oil sourced from Morocco
-Review: Argan oil contains multiple fatty acids, is a good source of vitamin E, and functions as an antioxidant. This could be used anywhere on the body to hydrate- including hands, face, or hair. Your skin will obviously benefit from more than a single ingredient, however this could be used as a top layer anywhere you need extra nourishment.