I got to know about the traditional Burmese beauty secret, thanaka, when Bio-essence first introduced their line of whitening Tanaka White products a couple of years ago. At that time, it got my curiosity as to what tanaka was because it sounded Japanese and how it works to lighten the skin. So I Googled and found out that tanaka is actually spelt as Thanaka. It is a yellowish-white cosmetic paste made from the ground bark of the thanaka tree and a distinctive feature of Myanmar (formerly Burma) seen commonly applied to the face and sometimes the arms of women and girls and to a lesser extent men and boys.
The thanaka paste is made by grinding the logs and branches of the thanaka tree vertically on a special, flat and circular whetstone, known as a kyauk pyin, which, with the addition of a few drops of water produces a milky yellow liquid which can then be applied to the skin.
Video: Watch how thanaka is made in Myanmar.
The thanaka paste 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, 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 all over the body from head to toe. Apart from cosmetic beauty, thanaka also gives a cooling sensation in Myanmar’s hot weather and provides protection from sunburn. It is believed to help remove acne, promote smooth skin and act as a sun block, antiseptic, anti-fungal ointment and toner.
As a result, for many Burmese women the paste is an essential part of their beauty routine. Another reason for thanaka’s popularity among Burmese locals is that the thanaka is cheap. Whether it is sold in powders, soaps or any other forms, thanaka is an affordable beauty tool for all.
This traditional secret never lost its popularity even in city dwelling Burmese ladies. In Singapore, one is able to spot the occasional Burmese lady with thanaka patches on her face. In my last job at a nursing home, I very often saw Burmese nurses with thanaka white patches on their cheeks and forehead as they go about their job duties.
The use of thanaka as a beauty secret is so popular that it has spread to its neighbouring country Thailand.
THE EXPERIMENT
A firm believer of using products in its natural, 100% concentrated form, I thought to give the thanaka secret a try since my rationale goes that modern cosmeceutical products often only include a fraction of the property that they market as the winning formula.
For example, a typical papaya face mask sold in the market may contain only a small percentage of papain, the ingredient that sloughs off dead skin and works as a skin exfoliator, together with a host of other preservatives and God knows what. Since papain is the magic property, wouldn’t it be better to hve mashed papaya applied directly on the skin? Furthermore I have ‘elephant’, super non-sensitive skin so that gives me the extra benefit to play around with concentrations.
And as I mentioned, that is my own rationale towards commercial beauty products that claims to use ‘natural’ ingredients.
Back to my own DIY thanaka homemade mask. I managed to get hold of a pack of 100% pure thanaka powder in a sealed foil pack for S$3+. Traditionally it is mixed with water to create a paste to apply on the skin.
But given that we are in city-living Singapore where tons of beauty products line local shelves, I mixed the powder with my Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Moisturizing Lotion. The ‘lotion’ comes across as a very watery toner, thus making it an excellent liquid base for my thanaka powder face mask. I will be attempting to mix the powder with Nature Republic’s 100% pure Aloe Vera Gel in my next attempt as pure aloe vera is known to fade scars.
The colour of thanaka powder mixed with liquid gives a muddy earth shade but it will dry to a whitish-yellow hue. Apply the wet paste to the skin with fingers or a mask brush. The powder absorbs pretty much a lot of liquid so either you apply it at a speed of light before the paste thicken to messy crumbles, or you dilute it further with more liquid.
The thanaka powder flakes considerably a lot when it is dried so if you’re sleeping in the mask like I am, line your pillow with a protective pillow sheet (available at Daiso).
3 hours later.
VERDICT: No noticeable lightening. Maybe its because that this is my very first application. However, my face did felt so much more smoother and softer than usual when if I applied other beauty lotions/ serums after cleansing. Not too bad for a first try out.
Downside: The biggest, major turn-off is the extreme flaking off of the thanaka mask when it is dried. Barely 3 hours and my entire pillow and sheets are stained with specks of sulphur-coloured looking powder crumbs.
Comparing the thanaka homemade face mask to Bio-essence’s Tanaka White Serum, I’d say the latter is a more fuss-free option that can be used both day and night. It is unfair for me to judge the thanaka homemade mask’s whitening effect upon one application so I’ll be giving this treatment the benefit of the doubt with more applications in the future.
—————————————————————–
Based on the numerous requests I get for the thanaka powder, please note that I am not a seller nor a supplier. I merely got my pack on eBay. As a gesture of appreciation (to my blog), I eBay-ed and found the link which thanaka powders can be found HERE.
I was recommended this website by my cousin. I’m not
sure whether this post is written by him as nobody else know such detailed
about my problem. You are wonderful! Thanks!
I want to permanent hair remover thanaka cream (thanaka and kusums oil)
so please send details of cost, how to buying and delivery in raigad, maharashtra, india.
Thanks.
I want to permanent hair remover thanaka cream (thanaka and kusums oil)
so please send details of cost, how to buying and delivery.
Thanks.
i WANT
Sir I get facial hair removal thanaka powdet and kusuma oil
I want to thanaka powder and kusuma oil pls tell me where that found
Hello, I log on to your blog daily. Your humoristic style is witty, keep doing what you’re doing!
I am from Mumbai, Looking for Kusuma Oil & Thanaka Powder, please do let me know where is avaibale in Mumbai – India. Please provide supplier conact details too.
hi am vini from india (hyd) how to get thanaka powder nd kusma oil plzzzzz tel me …m.ashvini218@gmail.com
Where can i buy thanaka powder in chennai. Pls tell me, urgent
Hello……..i wanna buy Thanaka powder…….i’m from b’lore, India.
My no. Is 9986522559.
Hey Guys. If anybody need Thanaka Powder and any other herbal product in India then please feel free to contact me at d.a.harwani@gmail.com or 9619494579. Thank you Divya Harwani
Wer can i get thanaka powder in kolkata ?plz reply
Where can I get Thanaka powder in chennai. Pls tell me
I get thanaka pwder and kusuma oil.but not found there
Please inform me the price of thanka powder in Rupees and where is it available in Mumbai ? My mail id is vaidya.jyoti@yahoo.co.in and my Mob. No. 8108323673 please do reply for this ……..
thanka wood i wnt
i want thanka wood
where i can buy thanaka powder and kusuma oil in delhi please tell me
09419976734
I m from rampur, shimla (H.P) WHERE can i get the thanaka powder and kusuma easily….?plz plz plz…
I am from calicut. i wand to thanaka and kushuma oil. Is it available here? Otherwise. how can buy from online
Want to buy pure thanaka powder with kusuma.plz contact me. I am from Delhi.
i want to buy 1 jar of thanaka powder, how much will it cost? in philippines its very expensive and i cant afford it. pls contact me
How can i get thanaka powder and safflower oil. I want to buy this products
i wnt to purchase thanaka plz contact us
Hi i supply tanaka for $5 per 110g tub. Free shipping to your destination if you purcahse more than 25 tubs.
I want to purchase 25 tubs please provide me your contact number or your mail id as soon as possible. My mail id is surajkulkarni009@gmail.com.
Hi i want to purchase thanaka…. Im frm india… Cud it be arranged?
Hi i supply tanaka for only $5 per 110g tub.
call me 09419976734
Hello idah……i want to purchase Thanaka powder…….
My contact no is (+91) 9986522559.
hey I urgently need pure thanaka powder. how can I contact u ?
hi.. mam.
is it okay to wear clothes when we apply this mixture
where do i get thanaka powder in guwahati – Assam??
Please tell me from where i can purchase this in Jaipur(Rajasthan
plzzz tell me the approx 100gm price of thanaka in india ….(gwalior)
I NEED TO GET THANAKA POWDER AND KUSUMA OIL IS IT AVAILABLE IN THRISSUR OR IN ERNAKULAM.PLS TELL. I AM NOT ABLE TO BUY IT ONLINE.pls reply
I NEED TO GET THANAKA POWDER AND KUSUMA OIL IS IT AVAILABLE IN THRISSUR OR IN ERNAKULAM.PLS TELL. I AM NOT ABLE TO BUY IT ONLINE.pls reply
divyagarg2692@gmail.com
Hi
I want thanka powder please suggest me where i get the same in Mumbai or give me the contact number where i get the thanka powder.
I cheacked ebay but there is no proper information about thanka powder.
Thanks
where i can get dis in hyderabad,
andhra pradesh,india
i want to purchase tanaka powder, we are in bangalore. Can u please guide us where it is available
I am from punjab. Pse provide me contact no. or address of tanaka powder supplier in India
heyyy…did anyone use this thanka powder and safflower oil..for hair removal…..??
does it really works or it jst nothing…waste of money…..??? plzzzz plzzz tell me …
Its really good. I supply them for $5 per 110g tub
Hello idah…….i’m from Bangalore, India. Wanted to buy thanaka powder……..can u plz send ur mail id for further contact……..thanks in advance.
If you have any northeastern friends (e.g from Manipur), you can ask them to get it for you. it’s easily available there.
I NEED TO GET THANAKA POWDER AND KUSUMA OIL IS IT AVAILABLE IN THRISSUR OR IN ERNAKULAM.PLS TELL. I AM NOT ABLE TO BUY IT ONLINE.pls reply
DEEPTHY
g_deepthy@rediffmail.com
plz tell first immediatelly i want
i am salem where is buy thanaka powder
i want to buy thanaka powder and kusuma oil i am from jaipur india plz contact me 9509363756
Hi you still need tanaka ? We have them instock and selling them for very cheap. $5 for 110g tub.
well i wanna order that, plz give ur contact details so i can organise everything
hey I urgently need pure thanaka powder. how can I contact u .. plz reply asap
Hi. .110g tub is thanaka paste from shwe pyi nann?
Hi Am form chennai(India)
I wanna buy this thanaka and kusmo oil from chennai… where i can buy it… for 100g how much it takes in indian rupees… plz dnt tell its very less…
mani 9843445541
Hello
Please let me know how n where will I get this in pune….I have been looking for this in almost all the shops now…I have tried all ayurvedic stores…..
Regards
Tina
you could get ur thanakha powder from me. Pls visit our Facebook page Bedak Tanaka/Thanakha Powder SG.. We are a distributor in Singapore.
AHMED
HI WHERE CAN I BUY TANAKA POWDER IN SINGAPORE PLZ RPLY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
Little Myanmar aka International Plaza, the building opposite The Excelsior.
hi , Im from thailand , Did you get Tanaka powder
please contact
email : allyoucansearch@gmail.com
Hi Ahmed, I am an international distributor Thanakha cream which is an ISO certified product.of 1st health brand. please send me message in my email, sandy.merced@yahoo.com so we can talk privately about purchasing the product. thanks 🙂
hey can uh please tell me… k where can i buy Thanaka Powder in INDia??
I ship tanaka to india
Hi. I am from Mumbai, India. I want to buy this Thanaka Powder. How can i get the same? Whether i will get Thanka Branches, since i don’t know whether thanka powder, which we buy online, is real or not?
If not available, then from where can i get Thnka powder? What will be the approximately price for 100 grams of powder in Indian Rupees? Whether i have to make payment online for buying from ebay? What is the approximate delivery time?
Please reply me at the earliest. I need it urgently.
In Chennai Thanaka is available. U can buy in Redhills in Burma products store. One Thanaka bar is 30rs.
what exactly the name of tat burmese store? Unable to find the complete address?
hey Sara m from Pune.. can u plz tell me phone no of dat shop supplying thanaka so that I can try ordering if he can supply to Pune …
hi Sara, can u please details the address of redhills in chennai to buy the Thanaka bar,as i’m new to chennai.Give me a detailed address please…very urgent
Surendra
The thanaka Powder whcih is available on ebay is it in pure form or mixture.or has anybody bought from ebay and tried this for removal of unwanted hair then please reply back.
Is there any local distributor of Pure Thanaka Powdein Mumbai (India).
How can i get tanaka powder?im from Malaysia..
where is thanaka powder available in bangalore ,,,,
I seriously think it doesnt work for me. And some really sell the 110g at 27$ when I cn get it at $6. And the amount of tanaka actually filled up 1/3 of the tub.
CAN GET TANAKA POWER FROM GM WHOLESALES COST RM 10 – 110 G
where do i find thanaka poder in delhi … n does it really helps on removing facial hairs permanently…?????
where we get a thanaka and kusuma oil punjab
hey deep do you got the answer.. k from where we get thanaka powder in punjab
Hey parneet
i am maninder from gurdaspur. pls tell me how can i get THANAKA powder. its urgent. Have u got dis item?
Hey parneet
i am maninder from gurdaspur. pls tell me how can i get THANAKA powder. its urgent. Have u got dis item? pls inform me on my cont no. 08000060714
Hi, where in abu dhabi can i get thanaka powder?
my contact no.9555018982
sr pls tell me
i want “thanaka powder&kusama oil”qkly
? wher and how availaible this items
bcs i more serching
Dear blogger, can you give me company address who produces pure thanaka powder in thailand or burma or any other countries.
Hello,
We are selling Thanaka facial cream. Please check http://burmesessecret.com for more information.
Thank you. By the way, nice write up. 🙂
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http://www.siamnatural.com/Siam_Natural_export_products.htm IS THE BEST SITE TO GET THANAKA POWDER. 100% pure raw organic and other roar beauty products one can take internally or externally. Ye all literally kiss my ass if ye all go investigate this site. And read what you see for knowledge. Now that said, for starters, I never knew it was a whitening cream. That was at first but my God, my skin felt so soft and smooth and beautiful. Nothing has made my face felt sooooooo soft. It looked younger and fresher. It really is an anti-ageing products and I only left mines on my face for 45 minutes but my face just felt beautiful for now, its near one and a half weeks. It is worth every penny.
i am from surat.please say me that thanaka and kusuma oil really remove the hair for permenently or not?please replay me as misscall on +919909614075
or email me at:viral_patel12353@yahoo.com
for all..any one who want thanaka powder product for skincare… kindly you can contact me by mail.. suhaila.razali@yahoo.com
Hi, i am from Nepal. Plz inform me where the bio essence tanaka available in Nepal.
Neelam, did u get this? Let me know.
i am in coiambatore where is buy thanaka powder
hi paru.. did u get thanaka powder?? pls let me know where u got it..
Im selling thanaka cooling powder. Follow me on instagram @kecantikandankesihatan. It means beauty and wellness. Just for myr20! Rm20.
Hi I’m naimah…how can I buy this tanaka…
hi Im Ann, please reply to my email address of you still want to buy thanakha cream. Our company’s prooduct is ISO certified 🙂 send me a message in sandy.merced@yahoo.com thank you
Hi,am in dubai ,where i can by thanaka powder ,i want to use for as a hair remover.
Great blog article.
Many your reader seem to have problem to buy this in there own country, We stock the ISME Tanaka (Thanka, Thanakha) feature in this blog and also some others .
Price start about S$6.85 for 1 pack, If you buy 5 we discount to about s$4.72 include free shipping from Thailand (price can change depend exchange rates)
http://tinyurl.com/thanaka
Or you can contact us direct if you not able to order with ebay.
should I daily remove my hair with hair removal cream before apply thanaka paste on my body or once a time in total procedure
i want to buy your products.
.may i know ur contact numbers.
.kindly email in my account.
.thank you
do u have a branch in manila?
hey dear, i am supply tanaka powder from malaysia..u can contact me via my email hasnida04@yahoo.com
i have to use tanaka powder with kusuma oil for permanent hair removal( which is a well- known effective technique )….but the tanaka powder available at ebay
says that its for acne reduction. So, can i use it with kusuma oil or is there any other chemical mixed with it for its acne reduction property because of which i may not get effective results after mixing it with kusuma oil?
Hi ! I’m actually thinking about using the same technique for permanent hair removal…. How has it worked for you so far ?
It is available in Kalyan city in Thane Maharashtra at Kasturi shop. The mobile number is 09320350893. But it is available in pieces not in the form of powder as it is made from thanaka (Marathi word kavath) fruit not from bark of tree.
It is available in Kalyan city in Thane Maharashtra at Kasturi shop. The mobile number is 09320350893. But it is available in pieces not in the form of powder. It is made from thanaka (Marathi word kavath) fruit not from bark of tree. So I do not know whether it is useful to remove hair or not. You can contact me at kaleshri@sify.com or at wechat ID kaleshri.
hey i wan thanaka powder at any cost
in myanmar you can buy thanaka 1 jar worth 1 u.s dollar only. natural and fresh
in philippines where i lived, it fucking worth 20 dollars and its only 5 spoons of thanaka, compared to myanmar 1 jar cost 1 dollar.
I have buy the thanaka and apply my whole face, use hada labo as foundation.
It help to reduce pimples. Can worth to try.
Please inform me the price of thanka powder in Rupees and where is it available in Bangalore ? My mail id is kathyayini.87@gmail.com and please do reply for this ……..
Hello, I am afraid I am unable to help you as I have never been to Bengalore and I got my supply on ebay. I have attached the ebay link up on this article, you can have a look there. Thanaka powder isn’t very expensive.
Nice post. I used to be checking continuously this blog and I
am impressed! Extremely useful info specifically the closing phase 🙂
I maintain such information a lot. I used to be seeking this certain information for a long time.
Thanks and best of luck.
where i can get thanaka powder from thrissur kerala?
merin, u can contact me hasnida04@yahoo.com
I don’t know where it is available in pune but it is available in my area kalyan. 50 gram for Rs. 25. May be available at patanjali store.
Where in Kalyan?
Hi Can u please let us know where in Kalyan?
i am from surat,gujarat,india. I want to purchase thanaka powder is it available in surat?
hello dipal i am viral also from surat. i want to know that thanaka and kusuma oil is really works for removing hair permanently or not plz share your expriance with me please…..
my email :viral_patel12353@yahoo.com
or
misscall:+919909614075
thankyou
can u plz give the number of this shop
kalyan……?????
Where do i buy this thanaka powder in Pune….
Pune as in India? You have two options: go over the border and buy Tanakha in Myanmar or buy it online, the source is above here on the blog.
How do I buy this Thanaka Powder in Pune
where can I get it?
u can contact me hasnida04@yahoo.com
I’d just like to give a rational feedback on the the physical properties of Tanakha.
Tanakha alone is not meant to use in the dry climate. You should apply moisturizer first if you don’t want to get a dry and itchy skin.
The flaky appearance on this page after Tanakha paste dries out is caused by either very thick mixture or the ingredients.
In Burma, people use only the bark of Tanakha to grind on the flat and smooth stone to get the thin and smooth paste to apply on the face. The inside material, wood, is only used for the body parts.
The factory made Tanakha products are made with the whole parts of the Tanakha tree. The wood generally produces rougher paste.
Getting a qcuality Tanakha paste (smooth appearance, colors, and aroma) all depends on the harvesting site, age of the tree, and the techniques of making the paste.
If you wanna try Tanakha and you can’t get fresh DIY Tanakha paste, you should at least get all natural 100% Tanakha powder like the one here. It still helps with breakouts and blemishes. I’m currently having Tanakha on my face after getting breakouts after eating my evil lover, durian.
I don’t think people realize that you’re not a thanaka supplier but a consumer like them. Haha.
I already checked eBay account for purchase of Thanaka Powder but not received any particular supplier details correctly. Now I want 1 packet thanaka powder, can send my address we gave money to courier or first flight party. then you have collect the same. and i gave my address below please find send anyone for the same. it’s very important for me.
My Address
Chandre Gowda
Golden Profiles
# 485/5, 14th Cross,
Peenya Industrial Area,
Bangalore – 560 058.
Cell No- 07259981459
Hi, not sure why u can’t find the link but I got mine here: http://www.ebay.com.sg/sch/i.html?LH_PrefLoc=2&_nkw=thanaka
The original seller which I bought from sold it to me at a very cheap price of SGD$3. I looked through my records and couldn’t find the seller anymore. The above link is all I have.
I am Staying in Bangalore Can pls tel me how can i get thanaka powder in bangalore or india, what is the price in indian rupees pls pls tel me
hi, i am from jalandhar. i couldn’t found thanaka a.ywhere. how can i get this. plzzzzz reply as far as possible.
thankyou
Hi Kanika. Thanaka powder is available on ebay u. If u hv PayPal account then u got it from there . Any further query u can send me email- harshnandal18@gmail.com
hey kanika do you got the answer.. k from where we can get thanaka powder in punjab.. m also from punjab… even i want to knw does it realy work for removing unwanted hairs…. plz reply me
i have ebay account can you plz told me the process to got thanaka powder on it???
Hi, not sure why u can’t find the link but I got mine here: http://www.ebay.com.sg/sch/i.html?LH_PrefLoc=2&_nkw=thanaka
The original seller which I bought from sold it to me at a very cheap price of SGD$3. I looked through my records and couldn’t find the seller anymore. The above link is all I have.
i am from hyderabad, where can i buy thanaka powder in hyderabad what is the price of it in indian rupees
Hi, you can find thanaka powder here: http://www.ebay.com.sg/sch/i.html?LH_PrefLoc=2&_nkw=thanaka
I am not a seller. I only bought a packet, tried it out and reviewed it.
we need tanaka powder yellow packet (1000000) pcs
we are from pakistan
Address: Plot No. 16, Street 24, B. Area, Qayyumabad, Korangi Road, Karachi, Pakistan.
Phone: +92-21-35388458
Fax: +92-21-35380112
Cell: +92-300-2197943 | +92-321-2427943 | +92-314-2792042
can you send us a sample ?
regards :
G.M
HASSANS HERBAL PRODUCTS
Hi, you can find thanaka powder here: http://www.ebay.com.sg/sch/i.html?LH_PrefLoc=2&_nkw=thanaka
I am not a seller. I only bought a packet, tried it out and reviewed it.
Hi , im from Thailand . Did you get Tanaka powder , You can contact
email : allyoucansearch@gmail.com
Where is can get Thanaka in tamil nadu
Hi, I have no idea at all as I have never been to India but if you have an eBay account you can buy it from there. I bought my thanaka powder from eBay.
hiii
m writing from chennai.wanted to know from where i can get thanaka powder in chennai.kindly plz rply
Hi, I am from Singapore so I am not quite sure where in Chennai has Thanaka powder. If you really want it, you can try eBay or at any Burmese shops in Chennai. In Singapore we have Peninsula Plaza which is our very own very of Little Myanmar. Thanaka can be found at Peninsula Plaza.
Did you get Tanaka powder , im from thailand ,you can contact me
email : allyoucansearch@gmail.com
Hello,
I am writing from Turkey.
I’m looking for Thanaka powder, organic get.
Where can supply the original thanaka dust.
Hi, I am not sure if thanaka comes in organic versions. I got mine on eBay and it’s the generic non-organic type.
Actually Thanaka is not for “whitening” skin … it doesn’t do that.
Burmese people use it to shield their skin from the damaging and ageing effects of the very strong tropical sun.
Thanaka also moisturises skin and has antibacterial properties, so you can use it to prevent acne from breaking out.
Oh my…. That means thanaka is like SPF? And the best way for it to work is to use it outdoors under the sun than as a night time whitening product?
Yes, the product is used heavily in the rural areas where most people still work in the fields under the sun. It is really not a whitening product but you can still use it at night as a moisturizer
where can i buy the thanaka powder in nidia?
Hi, I am not sure where in India may have them as I am from Singapore. Perhaps you can try eBay as I got my Tanaka powder from there.
where can I buy the Thanaka Powder in india ?
i couldn’t find in ayurvedic shop. is there nay alternate power for thanaka power? pls help me
Hi,
I am not sure where in India that thanaka is sold. However, if you really can’t find it in the shops, perhaps you might want to give eBay a try. I found a few sellers selling thanaka powders at very affordable prices here: http://www.ebay.com.sg/sch/i.html?LH_PrefLoc=2&_nkw=tanaka+powder
should I daily remove my hair with hair removal cream before apply thanaka paste on my body or once a time in total procedure
where can I buy the Thanaka Powder in Singapore?
Peninsula Plaza aka Little Myanmar. But I got mine from eBay.
[…] Read also: 100% Pure Thanaka Powder (Traditional Burmese Beauty Secret) vs Bio-essence Tanaka White […]