Burmese Thanaka Powder - Myanmar's Secret Beauty Ingredient

The wood of several trees may be used to produce thanaka cream; these trees grow abundantly in central Myanmar. They include principally Murraya spp. (thanaka) but also Limonia acidissima (theethee or wood apple). The two most popular are Shwebo thanaka from Sagaing Region and Shinmadaung thanaka from Magway Region.

A more recent contender sold as a paste is Taunggyi Maukme thanaka from southern Shan State. Thanaka trees are perennials, and a tree must be at least 35 years old before it is considered mature enough to yield good-quality cuttings. Thanaka in its natural state is sold as small logs individually or in bundles, but nowadays also available as a paste or in powder form.

Thanaka cream is made by grinding the bark, wood, or roots of a thanaka tree with a small amount of water on a circular slate slab called kyauk pyin, which has a channel around the rim for the water to drain into.

People say it cools the skin, offers sun protection, controls acne, heals wounds, treats rashes and provides nutritional supplement for babies.

You can find below the top 5 benefits of thanaka powder.

1. Natural Alternative to Sunblock

Thanaka is nature’s sunscreen in its purest form. The Burmese have used thanaka to protect and beautify the skin for over 2,000 years. Ground from tree bark in Myanmar (formerly Burma) and commonly pulverized on a stone slab, it is then mixed with water to form a paste. It’s then applied topically where it acts as a physical shield against the sun while also nourishing the skin with its rich antioxidant properties.

2. Rich in Vitamin E

Thanaka is a nutrient-dense paste packed with vitamin E, which protects the skin against polluted air and free radicals, the unstable compounds that damage cell structure.

Vitamin E is comprised of antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, all things your skin loves! Additionally, thanaka is an effective moisturizer, and its hydrating and cooling effects makes it ideal for post-sun exposure. Combine thanaka with MANDA’s other hydrating ingredients like coconut oil and Shea butter, and say goodbye to dry skin.

Thanaka also contains properties that inhibit tyrosinase, an agent responsible for melanin synthesis and skin discoloration. Therefore, the regular use of thanaka can brighten and improve your skin’s complexion.

3. Influenced by Local Traditions

We believe there are power and richness in local traditions. When we examine a particular practice a culture thrives on, we begin to understand its power in application and effectiveness in that culture. The use of a single ingredient, vital to everyday life, gives insight into an alternative practice. The use of thanaka by the Burmese demonstrates how simple working with nature can be.

Utilizing thanaka as a main component in MANDA teaches us to be innovative with the resources from our environment and to work with nature, as nature intended.

4. Less Environmentally Impacting

More thanaka = less zinc.

You might be wondering why less zinc is beneficial, as most natural sunscreens contain zinc as the active ingredient. Because zinc is a mineral, the process of mining it puts a huge toll on our planet. At MANDA, we aim to protect our planet and oceans. By using thanaka, nature’s best solution for sunscreen, we’re able to use a more sustainable and regenerative ingredient, thereby reducing our environmental footprint.

5. Works with Nature, Not Against

By using thanaka, we apply simple indigenous remedies, which enrich lifelong necessities. By learning from other cultures and going back to basics, we enhance our connection to the simplicity of working with nature. By utilizing thanaka as an active ingredient in MANDA, we take part in traditional practices, regressing toward a healthier community and planet. Working with nature can really be that simple.

Extra: Permanent hair removal – the 6th benefit of Thanaka

It basically makes the roots of hair weaker day by day by stopping down the nutrient supply to hair root. when nutrient supply to hair root is stop down then hairs roots automatically falls out.

Locating in the tropical climate zone, the temperature of Myanmar remains pretty hot throughout the year; thus, many Burmese own the dark brown skin because of the effect of weather for working outdoors. However, most of them always have a firm, smooth and rarely acne skin thanks to using Thanaka powder.

Thanaka becomes a multi-purpose cream/ powder which has all of the positive effects. Thanaka sunscreen to protect your skin from sunlight, makeup, skincare day and night. Furthermore, its active ingredients of coumarin and marmesin account for anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti acne; that help remove dead skin (cleansing) and control excessive facial oil that balance the moisture all day.

For these reasons, from young to old, both male and female prefer use this natural cosmetic rather than any other beauty methods for daily life. As the Thanaka is not aging limitation, they use Thanaka for the kids since very little to protect their skins when they grow up.  

You can find below the YouTube video from BBC about Thanaka and its significance in daily life in Myanmar

Thanaka cream has been used by Burmese women for over 2000 years. It has a fragrant scent somewhat similar to sandalwood. The creamy paste is applied to the face in attractive designs, the most common form being a circular patch on each cheek, nose, sometimes made stripey with the fingers known as thanaka bè gya, or patterned in the shape of a leaf, often also highlighting the bridge of the nose with it at the same time. 

It may be applied from head to toe (thanaka chi zoun gaung zoun). Apart from cosmetic beauty, thanaka also gives a cooling sensation and provides protection from sunburn. It is believed to help remove acne and promote smooth skin. It is also an anti-fungal. The active ingredients of thanaka are coumarin and marmesin

Every day you’ll see most females and many boys and young men spotting thanaka pastes on their faces. Although the cheeks are typically the most visibly coated, there is usually a thin layer across the entirety of the face. 

All children usually sport a pretty thick mask, which I believe accounts for such smooth skin later in life. It is the sun damage we acquire as children (oops) that ages us so dramatically as we get older. 

An ever-present thanaka mask from birth until ten years old goes a long way toward anti-aging later in life. Although used for sun protection during the day, thanaka is also applied at night after bathing in order to receive the other anti-inflammatory therapeutic benefits.

With all of the interesting information provided, it is time for our most important question. Where to buy Thanaka in Myanmar? As the popular beauty remedy, Thanaka can be found in almost all markets in the country and big cities such as Yangon, Mandalay or Bagan; so finding one should not be challenging. There are two types of Thanaka you can purchase: either powder/cream form or the original wood blocks.

Thanaka wood blocks are widely available so you can easily get them in every wet market or even at your hotel lobby. The prices of these original woods may vary depending on wood’s age and harvest location. The longer the life span of the log is, the higher quality and cost will be. 

Yet, the harvest location is hard to say which place has the best quality of soil and wood, maybe in Mandalay or Irrawaddy river. But many people recommend buying Thanaka in Bagan; as the quality of Thanaka in Central Myanmar is the best because of many sunny days even in wet season there.

Normally, if you plan to buy the Thanaka branches, do not forget to buy the stone together; as you can easily rub the Thanaka log against the stone to make the powder on your own. For the first time using the Thanaka branch, firstly you need to let the branch dry under sunlight for a week; after that the log can be kept at dry place and last up to 2 – 3 years. This tip is to avoid the bacteria growing on the branch; so, you can keep the log as long as you want.

However, this traditional way might be pretty heavy for your luggage on air transfer; so buying the ready-made powder is a better idea. These Thanaka powder is made with milk or rose water that can be used as a face mask for beauty enhancement.

Thanaka for hair removal is mixed with kusumba oil that can be applied to your unwanted hair to remove it. Here are the top Thanaka powder suppliers that you can choose while in Myanmar: Jintai Yadi, Thai Pei, Isme Rasyan (Made in Thailand); Bio Way Taung Gyi Mauk Mai, Shwe Pyi Nann (Made in Myanmar).

If you cannot make it to Myanmar, now you can buy it online via Amazon.com