What do Thai people put on their face?

Author: Cletus Schmeler PhD  |  Last update: Friday, April 25, 2025

The cream they use to paint their faces is called “tanaka”. Tanaka is a yellow brownish paste made of a fragrant ground bark from Tanaka tree. The paste is applied on face, neck, arms and legs to moisture the skin and protect from the sun. It has been used for over 2000 years in Myanmar.

What does thanaka do to your face?

Applied over the cheeks, nose, and neck, Thanaka doubles as both a cosmetic beauty product and skincare regimen. Marmesin, one of its active ingredients, acts as a natural sunblock against the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays while also providing a refreshing, cooling effect in hot weather.

Why do Thai people put powder on their face?

It has a cooling effect on the body. Thai people don't like to sweat and the powder reduces the amount of perspiration and absorbs a lot of the rest. Finally Thai people don't not all like the darker color of there skin. They use the powder as whitener to lighten their skin coloration which is much more desirable.

What is the yellow paste on face in Thailand?

hanakha cream is made by grinding the bark/ wood or roots of a thanaka tree with a small amount of water on a circular stone slab called kyauk pyin. The pale, yellowish paste can be applied not only on the face but also on the body, arms and legs.

What is the powder on the face of Songkran?

White powdery paste called din sor pong covers the faces of Thais and foreigners alike during Songkran. It's a symbol of protection for the wearer.

This walk with Brit in Bangkok changed my view of Thailand

What is the white powder in Thailand?

(DIN SOR PONG) In most parts of Thailand you will also see people with a white powder or paste on the faces. This is another ritual to ward off evil spirits and to give protection to the wearer. Thai people normally mix a white powder with water and wipe it across your cheeks; leaving a white smear.

What is the powder on Burmese faces?

In Myanmar, Thanaka used by women, is a traditional golden-yellow powder made from ground tree bark, to enhance their skin. Often seen on the faces of Myanmar women, Thanaka serves as a natural sunscreen, moisturizer, and cooling agent, reflecting the secret of beauty by Burmese.

What is Thai red paste called?

There are actually two pastes that both go by the name "red curry paste" in English: prik gaeng kua and prik gaeng ped. The difference between these two is slight: gaeng ped includes coriander seeds and cumin seeds, whereas gaeng kua does not.

What is the yellow spice for face?

Turmeric may help treat certain skin conditions on the face. People can use generic, store-bought turmeric at home to make their own face masks. However, they should talk with a dermatologist before applying it topically. A person can add it to other ingredients, such as honey or yogurt, to turn it into a paste.

Does thanaka powder really work?

Thanaka powder is also valued as a face mask for its beautifying effects. It is anti-bacterial and antifungal and therefore a useful anti-acne aid. It rejuvenates, smoothes out complexion imbalances, softens the skin… oh, and it helps to reduce and eventually remove unwanted facial and body hair.

Why do Thai people shower so much?

We live in hot and humid weather almost all year round, and good hygienes have been taught when we were in kindergarten like brush your teeth and take shower 2 times a day, avoid using hand to pick the food without washing it, as hands are source of diseases etc.

What is the paint Thai people put on their face?

The cream they use to paint their faces is called “tanaka”. Tanaka is a yellow brownish paste made of a fragrant ground bark from Tanaka tree. The paste is applied on face, neck, arms and legs to moisture the skin and protect from the sun.

Why do Thai people sniff when kissing?

The traditional Thai word for kiss (hăwm) also means “pleasant smelling,” so it makes sense that this type of Thai kissing is a sniff kiss. A Thai sniff kiss is done by placing your nose on the other person's cheek or neck and inhaling. How deeply a Thai person inhales is often a measure of their affection.

Is thanaka has any side effects?

All extracts and the original bark powder showed no detectable genotoxicity while very low cytotoxicity with IC(50) value of more than 12 mg/ml was detected in the water extract. Thus, the use of the Thanaka bark in the form of a watery paste as a skin care regiment is not only safe but also beneficial to skin.

Can you sleep with thanaka?

When applied to the skin it has a pleasant fragrance and gives a cooling sensation much to be desired in the summer heat (for this reason many Burmese people apply thanaka before they go to sleep - men just as much as women!).

What does thanaka smell like?

Not only is thanaka a cosmetic paste, but it has the smell of sandalwood, protects against sunburn, helps remove acne, and promotes smooth skin.

What are the side effects of Qasil powder?

Answer: There are no side effects associated with Qasil powder. That's another case if you're allergic to qasil powder and may experience negative effects using it.

What are the side effects of turmeric on the face?

If you're constantly using turmeric masks, it can result in dehydration of the skin. Rich in antioxidants, it reduces inflammation and redness that strips off the natural skin's oil and can further hamper your moisture levels. This can result in dryness and flakiness issues, which can increase the chances of breakouts.

What is the yellow spice for weight loss?

Several studies suggest that curcumin, a primary compound found in turmeric, may help with weight loss. According to a 2023 review of studies, curcumin supplements help to reduce body mass index (BMI) and promote weight loss.

What does gaeng mean in Thai?

“Gaeng” or “Kaeng” means about the same as “curry thick liquid food”. Most people would say just “curry”. “Ped” might better be written “p(h)et” and means “spicy, hot, especially when made out of particular small peppers (phrik khii nuu (rat turd peppers))”. It can apply to many foods including a curry.

Why is Thai curry so good?

To make a Thai curry dish, you can always expect that there are great amount of fresh herbs and spices added to it. And the combination of these ingredients gives the dish a bold and strong flavour that cannot be replicated by other types of curries.

What is Tom Yum paste called?

When the meat is cooked, final flavorings whose taste is destroyed by heat, such as fish sauce and lime juice, are added. For most varieties a paste called nam phrik phao (Thai: น้ำพริกเผา) is also added, made from shrimp, chilis, shallots, and garlic. This imparts sweet, salty, and spicy tastes.

Why did people put white powder on their faces?

The ancient Roman use of face powder was centred around the Roman ideal of femininity and beauty standards, expressing signs of social and health status. The pale complexion was desired by Roman women and is frequently expressed in the poetry of ancient Roman poet Ovid.

What is Chinese pearl powder?

Pearl powder is made from freshwater pearls or saltwater pearls below jewellery grade. These are sterilised in boiling water and then milled into a fine powder using stainless steel grinding discs or by milling with small porcelain balls in moist conditions. The powder is sold as such or mixed into creams.

What are Burma pearls?

1) Unique Names: Due to their origin, Pearls from Burma are known as South Sea Pearls. These pearls originate specifically in the waters around Myanmar, previously called Burma and neighboring islands. These islands are also named as Mergui islands. The reason why, Burmese mukta or pearls are called Mergui pearls.

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