Epochยฎ Ava Puhi Moniยฎ comes in two bottles, and the names make them easy to confuse. One is a shampoo that also conditions. The other is a conditioner only. Which one you need depends on your hair, not on which sounds more complete. This guide sets out what each bottle does, who each one suits, what each costs, and when it makes sense to buy both.
The short answer: start with the Ava Puhi Moni Shampoo & Light Conditioner ($20). If your hair is dry, damaged, curly or tangles easily, add the Ava Puhi Moni Conditioner ($53) after it.
The two bottles at a glance
| Shampoo & Light Conditioner | Conditioner | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A 2-in-1: washes and conditions in one step | A conditioner only, used after shampoo |
| Size | 250 mL / 8.4 fl oz | 750 mL / 25.4 fl oz |
| Price at NuBodyRx | $20 | $53 |
| Cost per 100 mL | $8.00 | about $7.07 |
| Rinse | Lather, then rinse | Leave in for several minutes, then rinse |
| Nu Skin SKU | 01001990 | 01001992 |
What Nu Skin says about each
We quote Nu Skin's own US wording for both products, exactly as printed, and add nothing to it.
Epoch Ava Puhi Moni Shampoo & Light Conditioner
Nu Skin describes it as "a sulfate-free, color-safe 2-in-1 formula that cleanses and conditions hair in one simple step, leaving it clean, lustrous, and silky soft."
Its listed benefits, as Nu Skin prints them:
- "Suitable for colored and/or chemically treated hair."
- "Leaves hair more manageable, without heavy build-up or residue."
- "Leaves hair clean, lustrous, and soft."
- "Features a pleasant scent"
- "Helps hair look and feel healthy and revitalized."
- "Formulated without sulfates, parabens, or phthalates."
Epoch Ava Puhi Moni Conditioner
Nu Skin calls it "an ethnobotanical formula that nourishes and conditions for smooth, shiny locks." Its listed benefits:
- "Helps hair look smooth, shiny, and soft"
- "Safe on colored/chemically treated hair"
- "Safety-Dermatologist tested"
- "Bottle is made from 100% recycled material"
Which one suits your hair
This is the question the product pages leave you to work out, so here it is in plain terms.
Choose the 2-in-1 alone if
- You want one bottle and one step in the shower.
- Your hair is in reasonable condition and you do not usually reach for a separate conditioner.
- You want to try the range for $20 before committing to the larger bottle.
Nu Skin's own answer on hair type is that the 2-in-1 "is suitable for thicker hair types." That is worth knowing, because many people assume a "light" conditioner is meant for fine hair.
Add the Conditioner if
- Your hair feels dry or rough after washing.
- It is curly, coarse or prone to knots.
- It has been colored, bleached or chemically treated and needs more than a 2-in-1 gives it.
Nu Skin says as much itself: "Those with dry or damaged hair may want to follow with Epoch Ava Puhi Moni Conditioner for more conditioning benefits." It also describes the Conditioner as "enhanced by modern science to help treat dry or curly hair."
Use the Conditioner with your own shampoo if
You already have a shampoo you like and only want a better conditioner. Nu Skin's directions allow for it: use the Shampoo & Light Conditioner "(or your favorite shampoo)", then apply the Conditioner.
How to use them together
- Wet your hair. Work a small amount of the Shampoo & Light Conditioner into a lather in your hands, spread it through your hair, and rinse thoroughly.
- Apply the Conditioner to your hair.
- Leave it in for several minutes, then rinse thoroughly.
A practical tip: the Conditioner is a large 25.4 oz bottle. If your hair is short or only dry at the ends, apply it from mid-length down rather than at the roots, and the bottle will go further.
What is actually in them
Both bottles are built around ava puhi, the shampoo ginger plant (Zingiber zerumbet). Nu Skin explains the name: "Ava Puhi is the Polynesian name for Zingiber zerumbet, the shampoo ginger plant. Moni is the Polynesian word for 'true.'" In other words, the name is a promise that the real plant is in the bottle, not a ginger-scented imitation. The clear, slippery nectar inside the plant's cone-shaped flower heads is what gave it the nickname shampoo ginger in the first place.
The 2-in-1 lists three key ingredients: Ava Puhi Extract, Panthenol, and what Nu Skin calls a Cleansing Blend, "a blend of gentle, plant-based surfactants that cleanses hair and removes buildup."
What it costs, and how to save
- The 2-in-1 alone: $20.
- Both bottles: $73.
- Free US shipping starts at $99. Both bottles together fall short of that. If you were already planning another Epoch item, such as something else from the Epoch range, combining the order may take you over the line.
- First order? Join our email list and use code WELCOME10.
Per milliliter the Conditioner is the slightly better buy, at about $7.07 per 100 mL against $8.00 for the 2-in-1. The difference is small; buy on what your hair needs, not on the unit price.
Buying without a distributor
You do not need a Nu Skin membership or a distributor to order either bottle. NuBodyRx is an Independent Nu Skin Brand Affiliate, and Nu Skin ships your sealed order to you. If you would like the detail, read how buying Nu Skin without a distributor works.
If thinning hair is your real concern
Ava Puhi Moni is a cleanse-and-condition range. Nu Skin does not describe it as a scalp or hair-density product. If what you are actually looking for is help with fuller-looking hair and scalp care, Nu Skin's range for that is ageLOC Scalp & Hair, formerly Nutriol. Our guide to ageLOC Scalp & Hair explains what it is and how it is used.
Questions people ask
Is Epoch Ava Puhi Moni safe for color-treated hair?
Yes. Nu Skin lists the 2-in-1 as "Suitable for colored and/or chemically treated hair" and the Conditioner as "Safe on colored/chemically treated hair", and on both product pages answers the color question with: "Yes! We verified our color protection via a third-party study."
Is the Shampoo & Light Conditioner sulfate-free?
Nu Skin describes it as "Formulated without sulfates, parabens, or phthalates."
Do I need the Conditioner if I use the 2-in-1?
Not necessarily. If your hair feels soft and manageable after the 2-in-1, it is doing the job. If it feels dry, rough or tangled, Nu Skin suggests following with the Conditioner.
Can I use the Conditioner with a different shampoo?
Yes. Nu Skin's directions say to use the Shampoo & Light Conditioner or your favorite shampoo first.
What does Ava Puhi Moni mean?
Ava puhi is the Polynesian name for the shampoo ginger plant, and moni means "true", signalling the real plant extract.
Ready to order? Epoch Ava Puhi Moni Shampoo & Light Conditioner, $20 ยท Epoch Ava Puhi Moni Conditioner, $53