At MyTopFace we are fascinated with the Asian beauty products because they are very different to European & American products. This is due the fact that we have different weather, completely different flora and fauna, and also because we, people living in a different continents are different as well. This opens up an opportunity for us to find brands that make similar products that we used to, but differently, therefore it brings new results.
Today we are going to talk about Healing Bark brand. Thanaka Powder or healing bark is a Burmese product made from Limonia Acidissima and Naringi Crenulata tree bark grinded and mixed into powder together. This beauty product was used by Burmese (nowadays Myanmar) women for over 20 centuries as they believed it improved skin health, treat and prevent acne, as well as fight free radicals, and reduce signs of aging. The women mixed the Thanaka powder with water making it into paste and applying thick layers onto the skin, doing this multiple times per day.
Being derived from 100% natural and organic products Thanaka deeply cleanses the skin by removing dirt and impurities from pores. It balances natural skin oils, evens out tone and complexion, smoothes appearance, and cools and clams the skin. After learning about the product and its centuries old history, MyTopFace experts were eager to try it, and so got touch with Healing Bark who provided us the products for testing and review.
Myanmar, formerly Burma, is a unique and a beautiful country located in Southeast Asia, that has tropical monsoon climate. -‘I can surely understand the need of special beauty products to protect the skin in a sunny and mostly dry, hot weather’- our expert said. -‘So I really wanted to try some of the original, older products and not something that is developed and tested in laboratory just recently. If that’s something that was used for centuries, before we had any labs, it must be working!’.
While it says that the product is mostly used by women children, it was also used by men and boys, just not that often. The Healing Bark often called a nature’s sunscreen, but in addition to preventing UV rays, it is also has hydrating effect.
‘We are approaching summer and while the wind may still be chilly, warm days and hot sun is already here. While it is not as hot as in Myanmar, hot New York spring is a good time to test the product. To start I mixed powder with a little product and stirred it to make a paste. I applied a thin layer to my cheeks as I wanted to improve skin texture and bring a natural glow in that area, so this is where I conducted my test. Once it was on, I noticed that the mask has a nice hydrating sensation, and, while being intolerant to some of the masks, I really liked the effect of Healing Bark and I didn’t have a feeling to take it off faster. Once the mask dried off which took about 15-20 minutes I rinsed it off with a warm water’ – Expert reported -‘I really like the feeling with the mask on, but I like the feeling with the mask off even more as my cheeks look not just better, but healthy! While I had no doubts that the product is working, I had doubts in how effective it is for my complex skin type. I, like many, sometime experience irritation due to incompatibility with some ingredients, wether natural or not, however, Healing Bark proved to be truly unique and fit all skin types. I finished my routine with Healing Bark Extract Serum to brighten up and revitalize my skin’.
Our expert added: -‘This is an unusual product, not something you can find in Sephora, but I am sure that you will like Healing Bark if you try it, and I am happy that we are taking steps into making sure that such products are being showcased to the public along with other products. Well done Healing Bark!’