Bio-essence Tanaka range

Bio-essence, a brand in Singapore (not sure if its sold overseas) has recently released its latest range of Tanaka products. I tried three products from the range, so i'll review them in this post. Heres some background info on Tanaka, taken from the bio-essence website:

All about Tanaka

Tanaka (also known as Thanakha) has a rich history in Myanmar. It is a tradition whitening secret used by women in Myanmar for more than 2000 years. It’s used not only in their daily life, but also in traditional ceremonies where face paintings bear cultural associations of nobility and purity.

The scientific name of Tanaka plant is Limonia acidissima. The best Tanaka plants are naturally slow in growth and it takes three to ten years for the tree trunk to grow two inches in diameter. It must be at least 35 years old to be mature enough to yield good Tanaka. The barks obtained from these trees are fragrant and resistant to pests.

Tanaka means both "cosmetic for beautifying the face" and "cleansing agent". The production of Tanaka for use is fascinating. The simple procedure involves stripping of the bark from the plant, soaking it in water and then grounding it on a mortar and mixed with water to form a fragrant paste to be applied onto the face. It is recognized as an effective and ideal cosmetic for those who have to work under direct sunshine. Women who work in paddy fields always wear thick layers of Tanaka to protect themselves from the harsh sun. It also cools and soothes skin to help prevent pimples.

Bio-essence adapts modern Bio-engineering techniques to extract highly effective whitening, moisturizing and anti-inflammatory agents from the Tanaka tree bark, providing the most natural and effective care for the skin.

The Tanaka Tree Bark Extract used in the Tanaka White Series has deep nourishing, hydrating and cooling properties, and is a tried and tested formula used to maintain skin fairness even under the sun, blocking out harmful UV rays and external pollutants.

The thing is, i already believed in the uses of Tanaka for whitening before this range came out. About 6 years ago, my parents went to Myanmar. When they came back, my mum had bought this face mask that had Tanaka in it. She was raving about how in Myanmar, she saw a lot of women with beautiful white complexion and that she had asked them what they used. They told her they used Tanaka on their faces to maintain a white and flawless mein. My mum also told me that they would smear the Tanaka paste on their faces and walk around the town.

We tried the facemask (came in a tub) for a while, but back then, i wasn't really into beauty products.



When this bio-essence range came out recently, it reminded me of the face mask my mum bought then and what she had told me. So i decided, why not give this a try and see whether it really works out.

First up, Bio-essence White Skin White Perfecting Lotion SPF 15

Given description:

Bio-essence Tanaka White Skin White Perfecting Lotion is a non-greasy formula that uses Bio-engineering techniques to blend unique ingredients Tanaka bark extract, Bio Mineral Essence and Bio-Energy Fluid with other precious herbal extracts Ginseng, Lycium, and Angelicae to effectively moisturize and nourish skin, evens out skin tone and acts as a protective layer against environmental pollutants like dust and dirt. It also contains Pomelo extract, which is rich in Vitamin C for effective whitening properties. With continuous use, skin becomes supple, fair and radiant from within.

Marvelous Efficacies:
• Enriched with Tanaka bark extract for intensive whitening and moisturizing effects
• Light and non-greasy formula, infused with herbal and mineral extracts to replenish essential nutrients for the skin.
• Blocks out and prevents free radical damage from UV rays and environmental pollutants
• Contains strong anti-oxidants to slow down the aging process
• Evens out skin tone, lightens blemishes and pigmentation
• Suitable for use both in the day and at night. Can be used as a make-up base

This sunblock was pretty thick and white, so i don't know about the fact about it being 'light'. Whats true is that its non-greasy definitely. But one negative point is that it will leave your face a shade whiter, like you are wearing some sort of mask. I kinda hate that, but i guess i can tolerate it because im very fair to begin with and people aren't going to notice me being a shade whiter. For people who are more tan, be more cautious if you want to buy this product because you may look unnaturally white. This product has a pleasant scent and is easily absorbed even though its so thick. Overall, not bad, though i would not recommend this because i prefer sunblocks with lighter texture and higher SPF. Retails for $16.80.

Rating: ♥♥♥


Next, Bio-essence Tanaka White Rejuvenating Whitening Day Cream

given description:

Bio-essence Tanaka White Rejuvenating Whitening Day Cream uses advanced Bio-engineering techniques to blend precious herbal extracts and essential nutrients which deeply nourishes to help repair damaged cells and encourage cell renewal. Re-attain bright and naturally fair skin in no time. It is also lightly textured to facilitate absorption while Tanaka extract helps to cool skin the natural way, suitable for ladies who prefer a non-greasy formula for the day

This is pretty thick for a day cream as well. It doesnt contain SPF, so please don't use this as a sunblock of any sort. Pleasant scent as well, and easily absorbed. Just like the one with SPF, this leaves a sort of white mask though its less noticeable. Pretty spreadable and actually feels luxurious! Retails for SGD $22.80 and you can get this at Guardian, Watsons or any drugstore.


Rating: ♥♥♥


Finally, Bioessence Tanaka White Renewal Night Cream

Given description:

Bio-essence Tanaka White Renewal Night Cream contains precious and effective ingredients such as Tanaka and Ginseng extracts, combined with exclusive ingredients Bio Mineral Essence and Bio Energy Fluid to moisturize and nourish your skin while you sleep. It brightens and firms the skin, leaving you with a fair, radiant and blemish-free complexion.

Marvelous Efficacies:
• Contains precious herbal ingredients such as Tanaka extract, Ginseng and Aloe Vera, combined with Bio-Energy Fluid and Bio Mineral Essence to enrich the skin with mineral & trace mineral elements, vitamins and amino acids so that skin layers are strengthened and more elastic
• Skin tone becomes more even, fairer, brighter with continuous use
• Deep nourishing ingredients helps rejuvenate skin cells to improve skin texture, leaving it supple and energized and appearing more translucent
• Reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines for a more youthful look.

One really strange thing is that this cream is more of a gel than a cream! And it is meant for night use! I wonder why the day creams are thicker than the night 'cream'. Since this is gel, it spreads pretty easily too though i would say it has a pretty THICK gel consistency. Easy absorbed and feels cooling. Leaves my skin feeling smooth too after application.
Retails for SGD$25.80.

Rating: ♥♥♥ ♥/



CREDITS: www.cozycot.com for product descriptions and images

Kiehl's Nymphaea Alba UV Shield sunblock

Given description :

ENLARGE PICTURE TO VIEW DESCRIPTION ON PRODUCT

Hmm strange thing is, this product is apparently sold only in Asia. I guess the tropical climate and humid weather explains why though. This product is an extremely lightweight and oil free sunblock formulated for oily skins and the hot weather. with such humid conditions, we don't need another sunblock that clogs up the skin do we?




I ABSOLUTELY ADORE THIS PRODUCT. I have not found a sunblock thats better than this to be honest. When i used this for the first time, i didn't expect the sunblock to be well, so watery. It's not diluted don't worry, thats just the way it is. The watery texture ensures that the sunblock is light and weightless and it does make my face looks a little more translucent white. Thats good though! By translucent white i don't mean the white thick residue that most sunblocks leave. This one doesn't, and it gets absorbed really quickly into my skin as well.




I love this as it doesn't make my skin feel oily. I hate sunblocks or products that cause my face to be oily, my skin is already oily as it is and i don't want it to be any oilier. this is great and lasts through sweat and the hot weather.



I can't remember the price, i think it's about SGD $54? It's not cheap definitely, and the bottle is small. But with the watery texture, you don't need much for your whole face and so this product does last a long time. Plus, the small bottle makes it easy to pack cos it takes up so little space!




Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ ABSOLUTE FAVE!

* Garnier Light complete whitening and protecting moisturizer

I am unable to provide you with a picture of the product, however i can still continue with my review ;)




The reason i bought this product was because i saw that this was SPF30. I don't know why, maybe it's just me, but i feel that SPF 30 is better than SPF 15. The higher the SPF, the better. I know it may not be true, and people use products with higher SPF if they do sports or are out in the sun very often, which is not me at all. Maybe it's just psychological thinking, that i feel more protected when i use a product with higher SPF. however, no harm in thinking so, the bottom line is to use a product with SPF and you should be fine.




I really loved this when i started using it. This sunblock was so much better than my previous one (a neutrogena one). The texture of this product is really really light, which is great because i don't like to start off a day in school looking brighter than the sun with that oily sheen on my face that some sunblock products just give. This product absorbs quickly, and has a light, citrusy lemon scent. Not too overpowering though.





This is really cheap too, costing less than $15 (if i remember correctly), and you should be able to get this at Watsons or Guardian.




Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ Really like this.

L'Oreal UV Perfect Advanced Fluid Protector

Given Description:

Advanced UVB/UVA protection - Enriched with Mexoryl SX and Mexoryl XL with proven effecicacy on UVB as well as UVA rays, UV Perfect acts as a complete protecting shield to protect the skin from all pigmentation process in the immediate and in the long term.

Pollution anti-adhesion action - UV Perfect is enriched with a natural detoxifier, Detoxyl, to prevent atmospherical pollutants to fix on the skin, and to detoxify skin cells for an anti dullness action.

Anti-free radical action - to protect and to help the skin to recover its normal functions, UV Perfect contains Nympheline, water lily extract, with powerful action against free radicals, main cause of skin's cell damage and premature ageing.

Especially made to prevent the appearance of brown spots, skin darkening and premature skin-ageing.

Let me tell you people, this product, to put it frankly, sucks.


There are 3 types of this product, purple, beige and white. I used the white one, which was supposed to blend to a transparant finish. The fluid came out watery, so i was expecting a smooth blend. I was horribly mistaken. Not only was this difficult to blend and hard to absorb by my skin, it left my skin sticky and really white!! And when i mean white i don't mean the nice translucent type of white that everyone wants. I mean the type of white that looks like you put on a foundation that is too light for your face and you didn't even blend it in! Thats the type of white im talking about.



I felt really self conscious when i left the house, and one of my friends even asked me why i looked so pale.


OF course i refused to tell him why.



Anyway, it was really sticky as well. Felt like sweat and grime and made my face really oily as well. Even after blotting it with a tissue, my hair kept sticking onto my face whenever the wind blew, and of course, made my hair sticky as well.

It said on the back "Perfectly hydrated all day long, skin feels soft, smooth, ready for make-up".


I don't think so. It does not make your face soft, nor does it make it smooth and if it's not smooth, it's definitely not ready for makeup!


I would advise you all NOT to buy this product. Gave me a hard time and made me look like a chinese opera extra.



Rating: Zero hearts. Thats how bad it is.