Since ancient times Burmese women have used the wood and bark extensively as a natural cosmetic, sunscreen, skin preservation treatment, and insect repellent. Applying Thanakha to the face and skin makes it smooth, clear, and cool. It constricts the pores and controls oiliness due to its natural moisterizing & anti-oxidant properties. Thanaka is a yellowish-white cosmetic paste made from ground bark. It's 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 use of Thanaka has also spread to neighboring countries including Thailand. Thanaka cream is made by grinding the bark, wood, or roots of a thanaka tree with a small amount water on a circular stone slab called kyauk pyin which has a channel round the rim for the water to drain into.
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