Michelle Phan shares Thai beauty tips

Fun and beneficial for the skin!

The mud festival in Boryeong, South Korea is not only a fun festival to soak up and get dirty during the summer.  The mud dug up from around the area are rich in minerals and used by cosmetic manufacturing companies.  Imagine spending all day rolling around in the mud on a hot day, and leaving the scene with a glowing skin!

Beyond flavours: Spices that make your skin glow

Spices are great for adding flavours and aroma to food.  They have healthy benefits for the body when being consumed and also used as medicine.  Though not many regard spices as being used for skin care,  spices have been long used in beauty regimen since ancient times.   Spice trade was a driving force for the world economy particularly in India, Egypt, South East Asia and Roman.  The ancient beauty secrets that involved using spices in the skin care regime had also been passed on.  Winter is creeping in and skin can get dull and dry.  These spices come in handy for exfoliating and are already available  in your kitchen.

Lets explore the skin care benefits of these spices:

Cinnamon (อบเชย) Because cinnamon is rich in anti oxidants and helps stimulate blood circulation, it is considered to be an anti-aging agent and a mild astringent.

Peppercorn (เมล็ดพริกไทย) for treatment of eczema and itching.  Peppercorn extract is often used in bar soap or body cream.  It can also be used on sensitive skin.

Turmeric (ขมิ้น) has been used for over hundreds of years as a key ingredient for skin care in South East Asia.  Its contains high amounts of anti-oxidants, and vitamin A, C, E.  Due to its anti fungal properties, applying turmeric is known to treat acne, reduce hyper pigmentation, and fight free radical damage.  Frequent use of turmeric also shown to brighten dull skin and adds radiance.

Cumin (ยี่หร่า) Cumin seed oil is high in vitamin E, and has anti microbial properties.  It can be used as a moisturizer or for treating skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema.

Pandan (ใบเตย) Often used as food coloring and flavouring agent, pandan has a very delicious and comforting aroma.  Combined with other skin care agents, pandan scent is very refreshing and stimulates relaxation.
Ginger - Not only does ginger add flavours to dishes, it is also high in antioxidants and is often used for curing various ailments.  Some of its benefits include stimulating blood circulation, reducing inflammation.  For skin care, ginger extract can help reduce acne, lighten age spots, promotes smoothness and even skin tone.
Sandalwood(ไม้จันท์) for treating inflamed and irritated skin and acne, allergic reactions, adds radiance, cleanse and moisturize,
Aloe Fresh aloe has a very soothing and anti-inflammatory relief on skin. Not only is it a great cleanser, aloe also has anti-aging properties by offering more oxygen into skin cells, stimulating skin rejuvenation. See my previous post on more aloe skin care!

Ancient Thai herbal body scrub
Is your skin feeling snaggy from the cold dry winter yet?  This traditional Thai herbal scrub recipe is packed with vitamins which will hydrate and soften your skin.  It can also be used as anti-aging scrub to help skin stay dehydrated and rejuvenated.


Ingredients
1 cup sandalwood
1 cup cinnamon
1 cup  fresh aloe (or aloe gel)
1/2 cup pandan juice
1/2 cup warm water

Too much?? if you want to use only on certain areas rather than the whole body, you can cut the proportions to tablespoons instead of cups, and teaspoons for pandan and water.
Direction:
To extract pandan juice, blend chopped pandan leaves and keep adding in water until a paste is form.  Squeeze the living juice out of the paste using a strainer.

Combine all the ingredients together to form a grainy paste.  Scrub the mixture well all over the body between shower.  It takes some time for the ingredients to get absorbed so grab a magazine, listen to music, get comfortable.  After 15-20 minutes, rinse with warm water and moisturize with body lotion with coconut oil extract.


Apple strudel body scrub


Whether you're making breakfast, or baking a pie, this recipe would come in very handy and it is very simple to make.  Not only does it sound yummy, but all the ingredients used all have benefits on the skin.  Green apples are high in AHA, which would make a great exfoliant.  Oats are great for holding helping skin hold moisture and are gentle on sensitive skin.  Last but not least, cinnamon helps stimulate blood flow while scrubbing.

Ingredients:
1 green apple
1 cup tbsp. oat
1 tsp. vanilla essential oil
2 tsp. cinnamon

Cut up green apple and blend to form a paste.  Mix well with other ingredients.  Apply on desired area and scrub in circulating motion. Leave on for 10 minutes.

* As individuals sensitivity to natural ingredients may vary, remember to test small area with natural products first to see if irritations occur before application.

Protect your skin and hair from winter!

Winter is slowly creeping in and some may notice that the hair and scalp are affected by the changes in season.  Scalp may become very dry and flaky and hair may break and fall more easily.  Because the condition of your scalp affects the hair follicles, maintaining a healthy scalp directly correlated to the health of your hair.  When the weather is very dry, your scalp may also become very sensitive so stay clear off shampoo and conditioner with heavy chemicals which could strip even more natural oil or sebum off the scalp.   During shower, condition hair with natural coconut extract which are rich in vitamin E.  If you have time, give yourself a scalp massage while your hair is still wet with cold pressed coconut oil, or olive oil which are great for adding more lustre and soften to your hair.  Make sure to rinse out well after, or your hair will end up looking oily.  If possible, try to shampoo your hair less frequently during winter and avoid using extremely hot water as it can strip more sebum from the scalp and worsen dandruff.  Also, blow dry hair at medium or low heat high as high heat will further aggravate the scalp and increase breakage.

Coconut oil and moringa oil can also be used after shower as a great skin moisturizer and relief skin irritant as well.  Moringa contains antioxidants and is rich in vitamin and nutrients, and therefore, it has nourishing and emollient properties.  Because moringa contains antiseptic properties, regular use can help reduce acne and clear up blemishes as well.  It works well and is perfectly safe for all skin type, even sensitive skin.

Aside from treating the body from the outside, it is as important to nourish it from the inside as well.  To combat the dry weather, make sure you are drinking 8-10 glasses of water to keep the total body hydrated and well replenished.

DIY tamarind whitening scrub

Tamarind has been one of the most popular ingredients used in cooking in Thailand and other South East Asian countries.  Aside from adding flavours to dishes, it is also high nutrients and widely used for medicinal purposes. It is rich in fiber and vitamin C which helps with digestive problems and boosting immune system.  

Tamarind handmade natural soap 100 g

Tamarind is a perfect treatment for oily and acne prone skin due to antimicrobial properties.  High in AHA, tamarind can also be used as an exfoliant to remove dead skin, lighten skin tone, and reduce the appearance of blemishes.  Since the natural pulp of tamarind is very acidic, the facial skin will be irritated if applied on directly. Therefore, tamarind extract in natural soap or liquid form may be more gentle.  Nonetheless, natural tamarind can be combined and used on the body as a perfect body scrub.  This will be perfect for those who are having problems with body acne, uneven skin tone, exposing ingrown hair, or getting rid of dead cells.  Since this formula is quite strong, avoid contact with face and eyes.  Also, do not apply immediately after a shave or waxing as the skin will be very sensitive. 

Natural Tamarind Body Scrub

3/4 cup fresh tamarind juice (with pulp)

2 tablespoons lemon juice

2 tablespoons bakin soda

2 tablespoon brown sugar

Mix all the ingredients together until forming a smooth paste. Exfoliate well with a loofah before or during shower.

Scalp and Hair Health

Scalp and Hair

Hair and scalp conditions such as dandruff, acne, hair falls may depend on several factors such as genetics, hygiene, illness, smoking, alcohol, diets, etc.  Although the genetic factor is uncontrollable, other lifestyle factors can be altered to help alleviate the symptoms.  Ingredients in your hair products can also contribute to aggregate and worsen the symptoms as well.  The scalp is basically one of the most absorbent parts of your body and also one of the most sensitive areas.  Therefore, whatever you put on your scalp, styling products, hair dye, treatments, a part of it also gets into your body.  The connection of a good health is reflected in the health of your scalp.  Some people maybe sensitive to the chemical ingredients in hair products than others.  Therefore, if you are suffering from hair and scalp problems, you may need to carefully monitor not only your lifestyle, but also the hair products you are using.  

The Ultimate Hair Treatment Duo: Bergamot x Butterfly Pea

Bergamot Shampoo - Bergamot or Kaffir lime is widely used as essential oil in aromatherapy.  Also, it is used for scalp treatment as it contains antiseptic properties which is used for combatting psoriasis, itchy scalp and dandruff.  Bergamot oil provides extra shine and protection to hair cuticle without leaving behind oily residue.  We are testing out our latest addition to the line, Bergamot shampoo extracted with its natural oil and PULP! Just to make sure we get to keep as much of the essential nutrients and their integrity as possible.  Bergamot shampoo works well for all hair type especially those who suffer from acne, itch, dandruff and hair fall.  Since it does not contain any added chemical agent, it does not foam as much during wash.  The trick is to massage the bergamot pulp onto the scalp and leave on for 2-3 minutes during the shower.  Afterwards, my hair and scalp are left feeling more cleaned, refreshed and easier to style between each wash.
I've used both bergamot pulp shampoo with every wash for over 3 weeks now.  I have very oily scalp, and with the shampoo, it really conditions your scalp without stripping out all the sebum, causing it to dry and flake out.  I definitely noticed the shine and silky texture after continuous use without any help of other additional hair styling products.

After one week 

After 3 weeks (Disregard my drunk face, look at how shiny my hair is!)

On to the next one, the yin to the yang.

Butterfly Pea Conditioner - Butterfly Pea (aka Clitoria Ternatea) is a native flower in Thailand called ดอกอัญชัญ (dok Anchan).  It is widely used for food colouring, cooking, and as hair treatment.  Traditionally, Butterfly Pea extracts were rubbedon eyebrows and hair as it was believe to have pigment darkening effect.  Today, Butterfly pea is widely used in Thailand as hair wash and as natural alternative to hair dye.   Studies have shown the flower to be a rich source of anthocyanin - a polyphenol anti-oxidant also found in red grapes, making it much more beneficial to consume as well to apply topically.  In Thailand, Butterfly Pea juice not only gives out a beautiful blue colour and definitely satisfies your thirsts, but also jam-packed with nutrients and antioxidants.  

Delicious fresh butterfly pea juice

Butterfly Pea conditioner has the necessary proteins to nourish hair follicles, promoting hair growth, and leaving strands soft and glossy.  It is rich in pigment but will not stain bathroom floors.  Butterfly pea hair products, especially as natural hair dyes, are popular use in Thailand but is gaining popularity around Asia and Middle East.  

Gentle formulas and chemical preservatives free, these shampoo and conditioner are non irritating and perfect for all hair types.  Natural, exotic, effective, safe - your hair and scalp will be thankful.

Chocolate Body Wrap

I was recently treated with a chocolate body wrap courtesy of Marvel College in Edmonton, Alberta.  The services there are offered by students as a part of their learning curriculum.  The experience I had was wonderful.  I was scrubbed down with honey and brown sugar exfoliant to eliminate dead skin cells. It has a sweet aroma and the right texture, not too sticky and not too oily.  Then, I was moisturized with cocoa cream before being treated with the warm chocolate wrap and tucked in like a cocoon for about 20 minutes.  Using chocolate for body wrap is definitely a fun way as it is both beneficial for the skin and stimulating for the senses as well.  The cocoa mixture contains other compounds and minerals   for hydrating and soothing the skin.  The delicious chocolate scent calms and relaxes your senses, while the warm and thick texture of hot cocoa fondue is being smothered all over your body.  After, the chocolate is washed off in a hydro shower with steamer before being moisturized with a light massage.  The whole treatment takes about an hour and a half and I definitely noticed how much softer my skin felt after the treatment.  The best part is I still smell a bit like chocolate after! Of course, I won't mind doing this on a regular basis.

Bernard Cassiere, the brand of products being used for the treatment, is a natural skin care line from France. Established in 2000, the brand is well known for the chocolate skin care products, which are offered exclusively at certain locations in Canada.  I quite enjoyed the products and looking forward to trying more in the future.

Do it right from your home! (a bit messy and you may need another person there to help with the wrap)
Ingredients:
1/2 cup of honey
1/2 cup of sugar
olive or coconut oil

First stage: honey and sugar exfoliate  

Make sure you use big sugar granules for a good scrub.  Mix 2 ingredients together to make one cup.  You may want to add olive or coconut oil for extra moisturizing power.

Ingredients:

2 dark chocolate bars, 1/2 cup honey, 1/2 cup whole milk
plastic wraps (or to improvise, use clean garbage bags cut out)
several big towels you won't mind getting messy
2 small face towels

Second stage: the chocolate fondue wrap
Melt chocolate bars and mix honey and whole milk to the mixture.  Make sure you cool down the chocolate to warm so it doesn't burn the skin when you apply.

Procedure:
*warning: This will get messy!
Sit on a mat layered with towels on the bottom and plastic wraps on top.  Exfoliate all over the body with honey and sugar.  With a warm and moist towel, wipe away all the granules from the body.  Then, cover entire body with the warm chocolate mixture starting with the legs.  Make sure you do a couple layers while the chocolate is still warm.  The chocolate mixture would also make a great face mask as well. Start wrapping yourself with the plastic wrap starting from your feet up, followed by wrapping with towels.  Make sure you are well tucked in.  It is a good idea to use some kind of support for your knees and neck to keep yourself elevated and comfortable.   After 20 minutes, rinse off the chocolate with warm shower and moisturize immediately.