What Goes Into MĒNOS and Why Every Single Choice Matters
Formulated by Sarah. Made by hand. Rooted in integrity. Built for your skin biome, your nervous system, and your long-term health.— THE FORMULAS —
A Story of Loss, Courage, and Taking the Reins
MĒNOS began with a collaboration. In the early days of building this brand, I worked alongside Keith, a gifted, deeply knowledgeable formulator whose passion for clean, intentional skincare matched my own. He understood what I was trying to build, and he helped me build it with precision and care.
In October 2025, Keith passed away.
It was a loss that shook me, personally, and for this brand. Keith was not just a formulator. He was a collaborator, a teacher, and someone who genuinely believed in the vision of MĒNOS. Losing him was heartbreaking.
In the months that followed, I made a decision. Rather than search for a replacement, I chose to take formulation into my own hands. I enrolled in the Advanced Natural Skincare Formulation Certificate program at Pacific Rim College, one of the most respected natural health and formulation institutions in North America.
I immersed myself completely. I studied cosmetic chemistry, skin biology, ingredient science, preservation systems, and the art of blending active botanicals into stable, effective, genuinely transformative formulas. I learned not just how to make skincare, but how to make skincare that heals.
Every MĒNOS formula you use today has been conceived, developed, tested, and refined by me.
No outsourcing. No white-labelling. No compromises.
This is skincare made the way it should always have been made.
Full accountability, deep knowledge, and genuine love for the person it is made for.
WHERE IT'S MADE
Small Batch with GMP Standards.
MĒNOS products are formulated and produced in my dedicated apothecary.
We follow Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) guidelines at every stage of production. This means strict hygiene and sanitation protocols, precise measurement and documentation of every ingredient and batch, rigorous testing for stability, pH, and microbial safety, full traceability from raw ingredient to finished product, and consistent, repeatable formulation processes that guarantee the same quality in every jar and every bottle.
OUR SOURCING STANDARDS
Where Our Ingredients Come From and What We Will Never Compromise On.
We source exclusively from certified USDA Organic suppliers, ensuring that our botanicals, oils, and actives are grown and processed without synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers that could compromise their purity or yours.
- USDA Certified Organic: all plant-based ingredients sourced from certified organic farms and suppliers.
- Cruelty-Free: no animal testing, ever. We proudly test on friends!
- Toxin-Free: no parabens, phthalates, synthetic fragrances, PEGs, SLS, SLES, formaldehyde donors, or endocrine disruptors.
- Sustainably Sourced: we prioritise suppliers who practice ethical harvesting, fair trade, and environmental stewardship
- Highest Grade Available: we specify cosmetic or food-grade ingredients only, never industrial or technical grade.
We read every certificate of analysis. We do not cut corners because the woman using our products deserves to know that every choice was made with her health in mind.
ADAPTOGENS — NERVOUS SYSTEM & SKIN ALLIES
Because Your Skin Needs Support at the Cellular Level
Adaptogens are a class of natural substances. They work by modulating the stress response at a hormonal and cellular level, reducing the impact of cortisol on the body's systems. For skin that is stress-reactive, inflamed, or compromised, adaptogens are one of the most powerful ingredients we can use.
Snow Mushroom (Tremella fuciformis)
Snow Mushroom is nature's answer to Hyaluronic Acid, and in many ways, it outperforms it. Its polysaccharide molecules are smaller than those of standard HA, allowing for deeper penetration into the skin. It holds up to 500 times its weight in water, delivering profound, long-lasting hydration. As an adaptogen, it also supports the skin's ability to regulate its stress response, calming inflammation and strengthening the skin barrier over time. Rich in antioxidants, it protects against oxidative damage caused by chronic cortisol and environmental stressors.
Cordyceps (Cordyceps sinensis)
Cordyceps is one of the most researched adaptogenic fungi on earth. In skincare, it works by enhancing cellular energy production — supporting the skin's natural renewal and repair mechanisms at a mitochondrial level. It is a potent anti-inflammatory, helping to calm cortisol-driven skin reactivity, and has been shown to support collagen synthesis and improve skin elasticity. As a nervous system ally, cordyceps supports adrenal health and helps modulate the body's stress response, making it a deeply aligned ingredient for the MĒNOS formulation philosophy.
Seasonal Glycerines: Made In-House, By Hand, With Intention
One of the most distinctive aspects of MĒNOS formulation is our in-house botanical glycerines. Rather than sourcing standard vegetable glycerin from a bulk supplier, I craft my own seasonal glycerin infusions in the apothecary. Drawing on the same philosophy of slow, intentional preparation that runs through everything we do.
Glycerin is a humectant and it draws moisture from the environment and from the deeper layers of the skin up to the surface, keeping the skin barrier supple, hydrated, and resilient. When infused with fresh, certified organic botanicals, it carries the active compounds of those plants directly into the formula and onto the skin.
— THE PRESERVATIVES CONVERSATION —
Let's Talk About Preservatives — Honestly
Why Preservatives Get a Bad Name
The word 'preservative' has become one of the most misunderstood terms in clean beauty. When people hear it, they often think of the infamous parabens, a class of synthetic preservatives that have been the subject of significant controversy due to their potential endocrine-disrupting properties. And that concern is not unfounded. Certain parabens have been detected in human tissue, and their ability to mimic oestrogen in the body is a legitimate reason to avoid them.
The clean beauty industry's response to this, however, has unfortunately created a new problem — the rise of 'preservative-free' claims on products that contain water. And here is what every skincare consumer needs to know:
Any formula that contains water, a serum, a toner, a cream, a mist, will grow bacteria, mould, and yeast without an effective preservation system. No exceptions. A truly preservative-free water-based formula is not a safer product. It is a potentially dangerous one.
Contaminated skincare is one of the most common, and least discussed, causes of skin infections, breakouts, and barrier disruption. When a brand removes preservatives from a water-based formula without a robust alternative system, they are prioritising a marketing claim over your safety.
At MĒNOS, we will not do that.
The Preservatives We Have Chosen and Why
We have spent significant time researching, testing, and selecting preservation systems that do their job effectively without compromising the integrity of the skin barrier, the skin biome, or your long-term health.
Phenoxyethanol + Ethylhexylglycerin
A gentle, modern preservation system
This ingredient pair is used to keep our formulas safe and stable while remaining gentle on the skin. Phenoxyethanol is a widely trusted preservative used in clean skincare to protect products from harmful bacteria, while Ethylhexylglycerin is a plant-derived skin-conditioning ingredient that enhances preservation and helps keep formulas balanced.
Together, they allow us to avoid harsher preservatives while ensuring that every product remains fresh, effective, and safe from microbial growth throughout its use.
We use this system at low levels that meet strict global safety standards, giving you peace of mind without compromising the integrity of the formula.
AMTicide Coconut
A coconut-derived antimicrobial protector
AMTicide Coconut is a naturally derived preservation system sourced from coconut fatty acids. It helps prevent the growth of unwanted microbes such as bacteria, yeast, and mold while remaining exceptionally gentle on the skin.
Unlike traditional preservatives, it also functions as a lightweight skin-conditioning ingredient, helping formulas feel smooth and comfortable while protecting their purity.
By incorporating coconut-derived antimicrobial technology, we are able to maintain the safety of water-based formulas while staying aligned with our commitment to cleaner, skin-supportive ingredients.
Founder & Formulator, MĒNOS skin