I’ve discovered Healing Bark and I can’t wait to tell you about it! The golden powder in a screw-top jar is made of 100% natural Thanaka tree bark from Myanmar. This country, formerly known as Burma, is in Southeast Asia. Although advicesisters.com has reviewed tons of facial masks, the Healing Bark Golden Tree Bark Mask is unique. It’s a facial masque that is not just a skincare product, but also a pampering ritual with more skincare benefits.
What Is Thanaka Bark Powder?
For over 2,000 years, the Burmese people, young, old, men, and women, have used Thanaka ground into a fine powder and made into a paste with water, to protect their skin. It acts as a sunscreen, sunscreen but it also reduces skin oiliness, tightens pores, and brightens the skin.
Skincare Benefits:
The natural actives in Thanaka are coumarin and Marmesin. The former offers antibacterial, anti-fungal, and antioxidant properties. Marmesin acts as a natural sun screen if applied topically for that purpose. Arbutin is another ingredient. It helps offer skin brightening properties. It is said that Thanaka can also help with skin issues like acne, eczema, and rosacea.
The Facial Mask As Ritual:
While it is easy to use a paper mask or scoop a pre-made facial mask from a jar, the Healing Bark Golden Tree Bark Mask in powder form is a mask that you make fresh every time you use it. Thoughtfully, Healing Bark gives you all the tools you need, Along with a jar of Thanaka bark powder you’ll get a mixing cup with a cover, a re-useable spatula, and three little measuring spoons. Measure out the amount you need, then add water and mix it up. Then apply it with the spatula
For me, the ritual of making the Healing Bark facial mask and applying it has a more satisfying effect than just scooping glop out of a jar. In fact, facial masks are not often used regularly and they can become contaminated. The paper or fabric masks look creepy and often feel slimy on the skin.
The Healing Bark mask feels super-special as you apply it with the included spatula. It also feels cooling as it dries (a nice touch) and washes off easily.
One thing that I should mention is that the mask is not thick like a clay mask. You need to add the right amount of water so it sticks to your skin, but isn’t so thick that it clumps. My first attempt wasn’t the best As I used the yellow tablespoon shown in my photo, and ended up with a too-thick mask. Once I added water, it was too thin. A little bit of practice gets it just right. Also, the mixing bowl has a cover, and I would assume that you could keep already mixed mask product in it, but I don’t think keeping the extra is a good idea There is enough powder in the jar for many mask applications, so I just washed out the remainder.
What About The Results?
I used the healing bark mask and enjoyed mixing it up, applying it to my face, waiting about 15 minutes, and then rinsing it off. The powder went on wet by dried in about 5 minutes. FYI: although Tanaka is related to sandalwood which can have a strong scent, this facial mask doesn’t have any scent at all.
As most of my readers and followers know, I really do try everything I write about. However, I have sensitive skin (a real issue for a beauty reviewer). But the mask was great. I felt a bit of a refreshing, cooling sensation and actually worried that this might be a reaction to the mask. But no…the cooling is expected (it says so on the label) and it was pleasant.
After the mask, my skin looked glowing and refreshed. Here is my unretouched photo in my bathroom right afterward. I could have gone out without any makeup if I’d wanted to.
For more information visit the Healing Bark website.
