MUN Skincare Overview

I have been playing with the MŪN Skincare line for quite a while now so I feel confident in sharing my thoughts with you about the line. MŪN Skincare was created by celebrity makeup artist Munemi Imai with a holistic approach to skincare. Her Japanese heritage and commitment to clean living laid the foundation for a line of pure and effective green beauty products. First off I love the minimalistic black glass packaging. It's perfect for me.

As you all know by now I'm a cleanser addict. The AKWI Purifying Cleanser is a delicious creamy oil cleanser. Details per MŪN:

Akwi is a creamy, oil-based cleanser that lifts impurities, unclogs pores and removes even the most stubborn waterproof makeup without stripping the skin. The pH-balanced formula is a blend of synergistic natural ingredients, including Castor Oil, a soothing cleanser and powerful detoxifier, nutrient-dense Argan Oil and antioxidant Camellia Seed Oil. It leaves your skin cleansed, soft and moisturized. This cleanser has a pH range of 4.7-5.7. Effective for all skin types.

Directions Apply 6-8 pumps to the palm of your hand and massage onto a dry face, including eye area. Add some warm water to your fingertips and continue massaging as the cleanser emulsifies. Rinse off with warm water. To remove waterproof makeup, massage the area with cleanser, then use a warm washcloth to gently wipe off completely. For a deeper cleanse and light exfoliation, apply cleanser, then press a warm washcloth to the face until it cools. Use washcloth to gently remove excess cleanser.

Benefits

• Gentle pH-balanced formula
• Leaves skin soft & moisturized
• Sweeps away impurities & unclogs pores
• Removes waterproof makeup & sunscreens
• Suitable for all skin types

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

MŪN carries these organic Japanese face towels which are amazingly soft. I love the blue hue as well (then they don't look dirty). It works perfectly with the AKWI cleanser and you can see them HERE. Details per MŪN:

This luxuriously soft face towel by Ikeuchi Organic of Japan is made of 100% organic material that is suitable for even the most sensitive skin. Hang it by the loop in your bathroom to dry super fast after each use.

• Eco-friendly Compostable Polyester Fiber
• OEKO-TEX standard Class 1
• Imabari Towel Brand certified
• Wind Woven Towel
• Low impact dye

AKWI has a thick creamy texture with an oil base. It spreads easily and I apply it to dry skin like an oil cleanser. I then massage it in to remove all traces of SPF, makeup and grime from the day. This cleanser does emulsify when you add water but it will leave behind some oils if you don't use a cloth to fully remove it. The choice is your preference. My skin always feels amazingly soft and never dehydrated after cleansing with AKWI. It seriously has become one of my favorite oil based cleansers. It's also unique as it's not really a typical cleansing oil or balm. It feels like a hydrating creamy cleanser but with the power of oils to remove the day. The scent is pure luxury-It's not fragranced with anything additional, the ingredients give it a nice relaxing aroma. If you're addicted to cleansers as I am then I highly recommend this one. AKWI cleans well with one product (you don't need a double cleanse unless you want to). It works beautifully and leaves my skin, soft happy, hydrated and ready for the next step.

AKWI contains a nice group of oils for cleansing: castor seed (rich in ricinoleic acid an unsaturated omega 9, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant), argan and camellia (antioxidant, hydrating), rice bran (soothing, hydrating), cucumber seed (antioxidant, soothing) and vitamin E (antioxidant).

ANAROSE Hydrating Rose Toner is the only toner in the MŪN line. Details per MŪN:

Hydrate, soften and balance skin's pH with this Japanese inspired toner. Anarose Hydrating Rose Toner offers an essential step to balance the skin’s pH after cleansing. Bulgarian Rosewater instantly soothes even the most sensitive skin while Hyaluronic acid firms and provides long-lasting hydration. Willow Bark Extract contains natural salicylic acid to exfoliate dead cells for a healthy glow and prepares the skin to receive nutrients. Goji Berry Extract helps reduce free radical damage and provides anti-aging benefits. A combination of Rose, Jasmine and Daisy Extracts recreates the velvety sensation of petals on your skin. This toner has a pH range of 4.5-5. Effective for all skin types.

Directions After cleansing with Akwi Purifying Cleanser, pat skin dry. Spray toner on a cotton pad and generously sweep over the entire face, gently exfoliating skin. Follow with Aknari Brightening Youth Serum.

Benefits

• Refreshes & gently exfoliates for an enduring glow
• Balances pH & soothes areas prone to dryness
• Rich in antioxidants that neutralize free radicals & calm inflammation
• Helps prep skin for moisturizers and serums
• Suitable for all skin types

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, Xanthan Gum, Vegetable Glycerin, Dehydroacetic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol.

* Certified Organic

This toner is scented like roses. Think real roses and nothing too strong or overwhelming. I prefer to use it sprayed onto my face versus on a cotton pad. I hate wasting precious toner on cotton pads. I use it more like a facial mist. ANAROSE soothes and hydrates with rosewater, aloe, hyaluronic acid and glycerin. Willow bark extract contains natural salicylic acid (betahydroxy acid) to help keep pores clear and it also soothes while it exfoliates. Goji berry fruit extract is a powerful antioxidant that contains minerals, amino acids, carotenoids (think beta-carotene, zeaxanthin, lutein, lycopene, crytoxanthin, and xanthophyll to protect and help maintain a healthy glow), polysaccharides (hydrate, firm and tighten skin) and vitamin C (antioxidant and helps even skin tone).

AKNARI Brightening Youth Serum is what got me into MŪN to begin with. It came in my Boxwalla subscription box and I've been smitten with it ever since. Details per MŪN:

Transform skin from lifeless to luminous with this all-in-one, glow-giving treatment serum. The stunning results of this lightweight age-defying serum are due to the potency of Prickly Pear Seed Oil, also known as Barbary Fig Oil. Extremely rich in Linoleic Acid and super antioxidant Vitamin E, Prickly Pear Seed Oil combined with Argan Oil works wonders to smooth wrinkles, repair sun damage and lighten dark spots. Aknari Brightening Youth serum also soothes inflammation, brightens under-eye circles and stimulates collagen production. Rose Essential Oil aids absorption and provides a heavenly scent. The synergy of these three elegant oils leaves your skin feeling soft and looking radiant. Effective for all skin types as a day, night and under-eye treatment.

Directions On clean, damp skin, gently massage a dab of serum over the entire face and neck. Note: For dry and mature skin, we recommend layering an additional moisturizer after the Aknari Brightening Youth Serum.

Benefits

• Lightweight formula for day & night
• Nourishes, smooths & repairs skin for total radiance
• Brightens dark circles under the eye
• Promotes cell turnover & reduces the appearance of fine lines
• Suitable for all skin types

Ingredients

Opuntia Ficus-Indica (Prickly Pear) Seed Oil*, Argania Spinosa Kernel (Argan) Oil*, Rosa Damascena (Rose) Essential Oil*

You can see this oil only has three ingredients. I love prickly pear oil and it’s one of my favorites. High in linoleic acid and phytosterols as well as vitamin E. Argan oil is high in ferulic acid and squalene. Bulgarian rose oil adds a hint of scent but nothing overpowering. This oil has a silky feel and it sinks in beautifully. It’s a nice medium weight oil that isn’t too heavy. I love that this comes in both 5 & 20ml sizes. So you can try a mini first to see if you like it. It is a pricier oil at $95 for 20ml. I find that it does really hydrate well and gives my skin such a nice glow. It's a high quality oil. I can use it in the day during the colder months or I use it at night during the summer. I do seal it with some kind of cream or lotion depending on the season as facial oils just burn so quickly off my skin.  I've been officially obsessed with it since I starting using it.

I haven't been into body oils since my move from Montana to Texas. I used to live in body oils. AYOUR Body Toning Serum is one of the few that makes me want to go back to oils again. Details per MŪN:

Brighten, tighten and smooth with a skin-loving botanical blend. This powerful treatment for the body softens, smooths and tones the skin. The silky, fast-absorbing formula is enriched with Moroccan Olive Oil, a highly effective antioxidant and anti-inflammatory that brightens and evens out skin tone. Combined with Cucumber Seed Oil, it works to fight free radicals. Together, Rosehip Seed Oil and Prickly Pear Seed Oil minimize the appearance of stretch marks and wrinkles. Lavender, Neroli and Frankincense soothe skin and provide anti-aging benefits. This fast-absorbing serum leaves the skin moisturized and silky-soft. Effective for all skin types.

Directions Apply a generous amount of serum to damp skin, massaging it over the entire body. Use daily for softer, brighter skin. Calms and soothes the skin after sun exposure. To address areas of particular concern (including wrinkles and stretch marks), dab on extra serum both morning and night.

Benefits

• Fast-absorbing silky formula leaves no residue
• Softens, smooths and helps tone skin
• Helps prevent & minimize appearance of stretch marks & wrinkles
• Calms & soothes after sun exposure
• Use daily for softer, brighter skin

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*

* Organic ** Non-GMO *** Wildcrafted

This body oil is divine. It's the lightest weight body oil that's not a dry oil I've ever seen. It's quite literally brilliant. Dry oils are not enough for me. While they feel nice in not making me greasy before I get dressed, I feel so dried out by the end of the day. Heavy oils like I was accustomed to in Montana are too greasy for me here in hot and humid Texas. That's why I stopped using body oils and went back to lotions. As soon as I tried AYOUR by MŪN I was thoroughly impressed. It was so lightweight yet hydrated my skin perfectly. It has the best scent-an earthy, green and floral mixture that's not too strong or overpowering. I love neroli and lately I've been liking frankincense as well. AYOUR uses olive oil which is a more hydrating oil, cucumber oil (I adore anything cucumber), rosehip seed oil (antioxidant and brightening with it's high vitamin C content) & one of my favorites prickly pear. If you've experienced any of the above issues I mentioned with body oils I urge you to check AYOUR out. It's divine.

MŪN Skincare only has five products in their line right now. I tested four of the five. I prefer oil blends so I didn't go for the pure argan oil though I know it's a very popular oil. It's really hard to pick favorites from the line as they're all really great formulations with good, clean inci lists. AKWI is probably my favorite, but it's a close tie between AKNARI and AYOUR for second. I am pleased to announce that I am now a MŪN brand ambassador which means you can save 15% off the entire line with code BEAUTYENDEAVOR. This code doesn't expire so you can use it whenever. I'm particular which brands I partner with and I would never stand behind a brand unless I fully believe they are quite amazing. MŪN Skincare is just that-quite amazing. I look forward to seeing where they go in the future. If you have tried anything by MŪN or plan to after reading this post I would love to know in the comments below. You can shop MŪN HERE.