Moana Serum

Size: 1.0 oz (30 ml)

Hailing from New Zealand, the Moana Serum features nutrient-rich, native red algae, plus a potent concentration of marine glycans. This certified organic serum enhances skin’s barrier function to reduce water loss and prevent premature aging, leaving the complexion soft, hydrated and healthy.

Directions:
Apply a few drops of serum onto your skin, especially around your eyes, and allow it to be absorbed.

TIA Review by Marta:
I really identified with Wheaten and her review of Moana Moisturizer, in which she describes herself as an “aging skeptic.” I can certainly relate to that. I would love an anti-aging product that features a simple, all-natural formula, though I find it hard to believe that such a thing would really work. But inspired by Wheaten’s positive review of Moana Moisturizer, I embarked on a test of Moana Serum.

I was not disappointed. In fact, I was impressed. I decided to give Moana Serum a bit of challenge by trying it out on my extremely dry, wrinkled hands with nails that had become so dehydrated that they were forming ridges. Within two applications, the nail ridges were noticeably reduced and are now completely gone, leaving me with pink, shiny nails. My hands are softer, and the skin is much more supple again.

This is a simple, natural formula par excellence. The base is a red algae extract, giving the serum a dose of marine glycans that comprises almost 100% of the formula. Glycans are macro molecules or polysaccharides, and without them, the cells in our bodies can't communicate with each other. Glycans can, for example, send a message to produce collagen. In fact, there are so many different glycans that a whole new branch of science has been established called glycobiology. But that will be the subject of a future post. In the meantime, it is worth noting that as we age, glycans become weaker and stop sending crucial messages. So replenishing them is a good thing to do, and with Moana’s algae, we can.

The other two ingredients are extracts of indigenous New Zealand plants. One is harakeke, a kind of flax. Omegas are bursting out of flax, and this is one of the reasons why it is a good skin conditioner. Researchers have also found that flax reduces skin redness. Harakeke exudes a clear gel on the surface of the leaves at the base of the plant, and this contains polysaccharides and is mildly astringent.

The other plant is kawakawa, a bitter-tasting shrub that is a natural anti-inflammatory as well as anti-bacterial. Maoris traditionally used the oil for wound healing or treating boils. It seems that it also has components that are hallucinogenic. The extract can be converted to a natural glycerin that hydrates and protects the skin.

These three ingredients with a couple of essential oils are it. Moana Serum is one of the best examples of less being more. The serum is a light oil that absorbs very readily into the skin. Although it doesn’t do anything in terms of hyperpigmentation, it is a very effective moisturizer, skin conditioner and crepey wrinkle reducer.

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