If you’re obsessive about your mane, you’ve probably heard about Monat haircare. This direct to consumer company sells naturally derived hair products and recently expanded into skin care, and its devotees say it’s transformed their hair. Here’s a look at what Monat sells and whether the products work- and is it worth a try?
What Is Monat?
Monat means “modern nature” and launched in 2014 by Venezualan born Luis Urdaneta. When the company began, it sold naturally derived hair care products, and added a skincare collection in September 2019. The products are sold directly to consumers through its network of sales consultants and relies heavily on social media marketing. Some users say their products dramatically transformed their hair, helping to reverse hair loss and bald spots.
What Is the Concept Behind Monat?
Monat’s philosophy is to tap into the power of botanicals. As Jamie Ross, Monat’s Senior VP of Research and Development said in a press statement, “Through extensive clinical research we have combined ultra-progressive active botanical ingredients with state-of-the-art scientific technologies to create safe, high-quality, naturally based, age-prevention products.”
According to Monat, the hair care products are meant to restore and replenish hair that has been damaged by the sun, chemical processes and aging. The skincare products also have an anti-aging component, and the formulas are centered on botanical oils, frui and plant-based ingredients.
One of Monat’s key products is its Rejuveniqe Oil Intensive. The company describes it as a “clinically proven blend of rare, significantly potent botanical oils from different countries around the world that serve to enhance the effectiveness of its key ingredient, Abyssinian oil.” The oil is found in Monat’s hair and skin care products, and contains vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, beta-carotene, omega 3 fatty acids, nutrients and amino acids.
What Does Monat Sell?
Monat sells hair and skincare products for men, women and children, as well as a small line of pet grooming products. A lash serum is also available. Here’s a closer look.
Monat Haircare
Monat offers around a dozen hair collections that focus on everything from volume to hydration. The collections include a Restructuring Hair Care; Advanced Hydrating; Volume System; Hydration System; Magnifying System; Effortless Style; Classic Confidence and a Black collection for men. Theirs is also a Junior Line for children, and special products for color enhanced hair as well as styling products such as a texturizing mist, hydrating hair mask and blow out creams.
Monat Skincare
The skincare line has an anti-aging focus, and is formulated to help improve skin texture and elasticity while minimizing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and age spots. Monat’s skincare philosophy comes down to a four step routine– cleanse, prepare, target and replenish. One collection is for dry/sensitive skin, and there is also one for normal/combination skin. Products can be mixed and matched. Here’s a closer look.
Be Gentle Creamy Cleanser
A cream based cleanser, this product can be used twice a day and is formulated to provide a deep cleanse without over drying the skin. The cleanser contains AHAs (alpha hydroxyl acids) and peptides. Most of the ingredients are plant based. People with sensitive skin should skip AHA based cleanser.
Skin Revitalizing Essence
An essence should be applied after cleansing, and patted onto the skin to prepare the skin for the next product. This essence contains soothing chamomile as well as AHAs. We prefer serums over essence formulas because they eliminate a lot of unnecessary ingredients that are designed to make the essence feel good.
Rewind Age Control Nectar
This serum is designed to smooth and brighten skin, and targets uneven skin tone, age spots and loss of elasticity. Key ingredients include kakadu plum, Rejuvenique oil, peptides and AHAs.
Be Gentle Nourishing Moisturizer – This cream can be applied in the morning and evening, and provides hydration while helping to minimize the look of fine lines. Glycerin, a humectant, sits high on the list so the product is hydrating. It also contains plant stem cells know for their anti aging properties.
Be Balanced Foamy Cleanser
Designed for normal or combination skin, the Be Balanced Foamy Cleanser helps cleanse the skin while softening it with antioxidants and fruit acids. We like foaming cleansers and this is a great formulation thanks to its plant based ingredients.
Be Balanced Lightweight Moisturizer
The key ingredient in this lightweight moisturizer is hyaluronic acid, which delivers all day hydration. This is more of a lightweight moisturizer and people with dry skin should use a richer, emollient based product.
How Much Do Monat Products Cost?
Monat products are sold as bundles as well as individually at two different price points- retail price and a lower VIP price which involves paying a one time registration fee in conjunction with signing up for scheduled shipments.
The prices are in line with prestige brands. The Hair Transformation Masque is $65/$55 and the Advanced Hydrating Conditioner is $49/$42. The Renew Shampoo sells for $35/$30 while some of the most expensive hair care products are the Super Nourish Oil Crème duo for $82/$70. The skincare collection has a similar price point, with the four piece Be Gentle and Be Balanced set selling for $278/$236 each.
The Revitalizing Essence is $45/$38 and the Rewind Age Control Nectar sells for $120/$102. The pet line has two products, a Gentle Dog Wash for $32/$27 and a Freshen Up Deodorizing Spray for $22/$19.
Is Monat Cruelty Free?
Monat says its products are cruelty free, naturally based and vegan.
What Ingredients Are in Monat Products?
The Monat philosophy centers around the power of botanicals, fruit oils, plant biotechnology and an exclusive peptide. One of the cornerstones of Monat products is its Rejuvenique Oil, which is found in its hair and skincare products. Monat calls it a “magic multi-tasking elixir” and it started with Abyssinian oil (which is from a plant native to Ethiopia) and includes more than 13 natural plant and essential oils rich in omega fatty acids and antioxidants such as meadowfoam, coconut oil, lime oil and bergamot oil. It can be applied to the hair, face and body.
Other ingredients in Monat products include skincare staples such as hyaluronic acid, AHAs and peptides, along with ginger root and bisabolol (an oil from German chamomile) which are in the Creamy Cleanser, and chamomile and beet root extract in the Skin Revitalizing Essence.
Where Can I Buy Monat Products?
Monat is sold directly to consumers from its website and from its network of sales consultants.
Our Verdict
Good formulations that are fairly clean and humane.
Pros
- Good value for money
- Solid product range for aging, acne prone skin and uneven skin tone.
- Plant based formulas
Cons
- Difficult purchasing products as you have to go through a sales agent
