French Polynesia's cosmetics and personal care sector links a network of growers, processors, and manufacturers across its islands. At its center is Monoï de Tahiti, a coconut oil and Tiaré flower preparation that carries a protected designation of origin. Parfumerie Tiki, a family company founded by Gustave Langy, has bottled and packaged its Monoï TIKI in Faa'a since the 1970s, exporting internationally, including to the United States through its California distributor, Ginco International.
The supply chain begins with copra producers in remote archipelagos such as the Marquesas and Tuamotu. Huilerie de Tahiti processes sun-dried copra into oils valued for their quality, while providing cash income that helps families remain on their home islands. Laboratoire de Cosmétologie du Pacifique Sud, founded in 1992, develops ingredients from the endemic plants, working with 100 to 150 suppliers across 15 to 20 islands.
Sustainability runs through the sector. Several producers hold Union for Ethical BioTrade certification, ensuring traceability and fair compensation along the value chain. American consumers, particularly on the West Coast, show growing interest in natural Pacific ingredients. Together these companies present Tahiti not only as a destination but as a source of authentic, responsibly made products rooted in Polynesian heritage and craftsmanship.
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