Thanaka is a paste from Myanmar made from ground bark. It is worn on the face by many with the belief that it has cosmetic benefits and properties such as acne control. However, not many people are familiar with Thanaka and what it can do for them.
In this article, we focus on Thanaka and how it can help your skin. Read on to find out more about this paste.
What Is Thanaka?
As mentioned before, it is a paste made from ground bark. It usually comes in a pale yellow or white-ish color. It is used in Myanmar for cosmetics or medical reasons.
Thanaka can be made from different types of trees, but the process is the same. It is soaked in water and then smashed until it becomes a paste. Some pastes may be mixed with other ingredients also found in commercial cosmetic products.
It can be purchased already as a paste or as dry bark to be made by yourself at home. And as mentioned above, there are already some cosmetic products that contain Thanaka in them.
What Are The Benefits Of Using Thanaka?
Thanaka has both cosmetic and medicinal properties when used. Thanaka helps with creating a glowy and fresh look on one’s face. In Myanmar, many would attribute their beautiful skin to the use of Thanaka.
It has been found that trees usually made to create Thanaka are rich in antioxidants to help with various pains. It is also known to have anti-inflammatory properties and mild antibacterial properties.
Other beneficial effects of Thanaka, according to users, are cooling off the skin and sun protection. Although Thanaka has not been approved for safe clinical use, some use it to mitigate malaria, epilepsy, and many other diseases.
Should I Be Using Thanaka?
As a cosmetic, there is no harm to using it and seeing if it works out for your skin. While it is known to have wonderful effects on some people, it still varies depending on the type of skin, just like all cosmetic products. However, make sure to do a skin patch test first to ensure that you are not allergic to Thanaka or any cosmetics containing it.
You can also try consulting with professionals to determine what a particular product contains and how it can be beneficial to you. This can help you decide what kind of Thanaka product you may want to use.
In terms of medical properties, it is not advisable that you use Thanaka as a treatment. As mentioned, there are no studies to back up the use of Thanaka for clinical purposes, and it has not been approved for it. Instead, for any serious medical issues, you should consult with a medical professional to assist you with them.
Conclusion
Thanaka as a cosmetic product has a lot of benefits for the skin, especially for the face. Many people from Myanmar use this to achieve a glowy look. It has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and mild antibacterial properties to achieve the cosmetic benefits it brings. While it may not be used for medical purposes, feel free to use it as a part of your skincare routine. Give Thanaka a try, and you will not be disappointed.
If you are interested in trying Thanaka paste, Healing Bark can help get you started. With our Original Healing Bark Facial Mask, you can finally try out that Thanaka for your skin. Achieve that beautiful, glowy skin by shopping with us today!