February 4, 2015

Pier 42 Boutique Resort & Spa: our hotel on the island of Phuket

Pier 42

Pier 42 is our beautiful boutique hotel and spa (which uses – yes, you’ve guessed it – Siam Botanicals products!) on Phuket island. Whether you’re based in Thailand and looking for a great spot for a relaxing weekend getaway, or live further afield and are planning a holiday of a lifetime travelling around southeast Asia, our staff would love to welcome you to Pier 42. They pride themselves on their warm hospitality and the excellent service they offer to guests; they are always prepared to go the extra mile to help and advise you during your stay.

 

The outside of Pier 42 at night

 

Just a five-minute walk from Chalong Pier – very convenient for divers and those wishing to take a boat trip to Phi Phi island – Pier 42 was a disused property that we renovated in keeping with our ‘green’ principles, with great care being taken to minimise our impact on the environment. Existing structures were retained and restyled with recycled hardwood floors, reclaimed doors and windows, and locally handcrafted encaustic and terracotta tiles.

The hotel’s 25 guest rooms and public areas feature restored teak wood furniture and ornaments, carvings, paintings and photography by local artists, creating an eclectic but homely style that is unique to Pier 42.

 

Guest room at Pier 42

 

But those little luxuries we’ve come to expect have certainly not been forgotten – features such as flat-screen TVs, free wifi and iPod docking stations come as standard, and our café and lovely saltwater pool with Jacuzzi are both very popular spots.

 

The pool and garden at Pier 42

 

You can even indulge in a spot of retail therapy at our Made In Siam store, which stocks clothes, ceramics, jewellery, linens, home furnishings, furniture and curios – all made in Thailand, of course.

Pier 42 is a diver-friendly hotel; in fact, situated within the resort is our Ocean Store, which has a wide selection of scuba, snorkelling and water sports equipment, with special discounts available for Pier 42 guests.

 

The spa

Most importantly – for the purposes of this blog, anyway! – Pier 42 also boasts a beautiful spa (did I already mention that?!), with four treatment rooms set within the hotel’s tropical garden. The treatments all use our 100% natural Siam Botanicals products, and the extensive massage menu includes our signature four-step organic facial; a body polish with peppermint and honey; a body wrap with yoghurt, banana and honey; and an aromatherapy massage with a choice of oil blends. If you enjoy your experience – and we are sure that you will – you can also buy some of our products to take home with you.

 

Spa products and menu at Pier 42

 

A treatment room at Pier 42

How tempting does this look?!

 

So what are you waiting for?! Book yourself in and expect to be pampered from head to toe!

 

The reviews

Here’s what some of our guests have said about Pier 42:

“My first impression was wow! It’s got some real character – an old wooden structure made into a chic modern hotel.”

“I have lived in Thailand for 10 years and have experience of many hotels and resorts, but must say Pier 42 was probably the most unique I have been to. The decor and style of the place are amazing and it feels more like an eccentric, luxury home than a hotel.”

“The all-natural spa products promoted by the hotel are amazing – true commitment to healthy safe products and the most adorable complimentary shower kits for guests.”

“The staff were very helpful and the spa treatments and service on offer were right up there with any top international hotel spa at a much lower price.”

“The bathrooms […] come with complimentary toiletries. These were lovely – called Siam Botanicals and totally natural. They sell the products in the shop and I bought lots to take home they were so nice on my skin.”

“They have an all-natural organic spa and give you a trial-sized pack of some of their items free with your stay. I loved them and I'm VERY picky about my toiletries. No chemicals, fake fragrances or greasy stuff here! I bought some to take home […].
 I had a massage and it was fantastic. Not ‘autopilot’ like most massage places Thailand. She tailored it to me and worked on my bad spots.”

“My friend and I had an aromatherapy massage and it was just bliss […]. I have had many massages and this one was one of the best.”

Sound tempting? Click here to find out more about Pier 42 and to book your stay. Our staff look forward to welcoming you!

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January 20, 2015

FOCUS… on eucalyptus

For the third in our FOCUS series we have decided to turn our attention to the benefits of the widely used and wonderfully stimulating eucalyptus essential oil.

There are more than 700 species of eucalyptus, which are often called gum trees. Mostly native to Australia but now cultivated worldwide, they are fast-growing evergreens with distinctive flowers and fruit.

Eucalyptus globulus, companionplants.com

Eucalyptus globulus

Massage oils with eucalyptus essential oil

Clockwise, from left: After Sun Artisan body Oil (great as a cooling skin moisturizer after exposure to the sun); Revive Massage & Body Oil (with both eucalyptus and peppermint oils, this one is sure to give you a lift!); Relax Massage & Body Oil (this product combines lavender, rosemary and eucalyptus to reduce fatigue and increase mental clarity)

The Eucalyptus Globulus species is the main source of eucalyptus essential oil worldwide. The leaves are steam distilled to extract the oil, which has a long history of usage in both medicine and skin care for (among other things) its natural antibacterial, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.

It has a distinctive, fresh, woody aroma and creates a cooling, refreshing effect that can help to ‘perk you up’ and revive your spirits if you’re feeling physically or mentally sluggish. Because of its analgesic properties it is also often recommended as a massage oil to those with muscle or joint pain.

Several of our own body and massage oils contain eucalyptus oil:

In fact, eucalyptus, lavender and rosemary (key ingredients in our Relax oil, above) are a match made in fragrance heaven – which is one reason why we have used this blend in several more of our products:

 

 

The antifungal and cleansing qualities of eucalyptus oil make it equally effective for hair care, and it is one of the botanical ingredients in our Revive Shampoo and Conditioner:

Australian aboriginals have long used eucalyptus oil as a traditional remedy for colds, sinus congestion, respiratory problems and fever (in fact, one of the common names for the oil is ‘fever oil’). The first recorded instances of eucalyptus oil being used as an antiseptic during operations, and as a disinfectant to clean medical equipment, date back to the late 19th century. It is still a component in many over-the-counter cough and cold remedies, is used in cleaning products and is an active ingredient in some insect repellents, including our own:

With its strong but refreshing and instantly recognisable scent and its many useful, health-giving properties, it’s no wonder that eucalyptus oil features in such a wide range of products, from fragrance and flavouring to medicinal and dental remedies; from soaps and shampoos to massage oils and mosquito repellents.

Is this essential oil one of your favourites? How do you use it? Let us know in the comments section, below.

Bug repellent with lemon eucalyptus

Bio Guard Bug Repellent with lemon eucalyptus

Please note

Essential Oils are for EXTERNAL USE ONLY and should not be applied directly to the skin in undiluted form. Use with a ceramic oil burner, or as directed by your aromatherapist. Some essential oils should be avoided during pregnancy and if you suffer from certain medical conditions; do not use them before checking with your doctor.

References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eucalyptus
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eucalyptus_oil
https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/essential-oils/health-benefits-of-eucalyptus-essential-oil.html http://www.altmedrev.com/publications/15/1/33.pdf

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November 27, 2014

Chemicals: natural versus man-made

The chemical-free myth 

When we think about the dangers lurking in our skin care and our food, the focus is usually on the threat posed by artificial chemicals and additives. A climate of fear has built up around chemicals. The word ‘chemical’ is frequently misused by green skin care and organic food aficionados – and the industry itself – to mean something really bad; something poisonous that must be avoided at all costs. We talk about living chemical-free lives, and how evil mainstream cosmetics companies cynically stuff their products full of chemicals. Of course, we all know what is meant by this lazy language, and perhaps it’s nothing but pedantry to pick up on it. We mean artificial ingredients, of course; we mean man-made chemicals. There is not (usually) a deliberate intention to mislead, and most people don’t want a science lesson about how everything is made of chemicals every time they buy their face serum or toner. This point has already been well covered so I don’t need to rehash what has already been said – these excellent articles say it all:

The Myth of Chemical-Free Cosmetics by Lorraine Dallmeier of Herb & Hedgerow
Can We Claim a Skincare Product to be Chemical Free? by Sarah (Sugarpuffish)
Manmade or natural, tasty or toxic, they’re all chemicals… The Guardian science blog

Natural v man-made chemicals

At Siam Botanicals, we’re all in favour of using natural ingredients. 100% natural skin care is what we are all about. But just because something is man-made, it doesn’t make it inherently bad. And just because something is natural, it doesn’t mean you can consume it or slather it onto your skin in as high a dose as you please. It’s just not that simple. It can’t ever be assumed that because something is 100% natural, it is 100% safe. Would you eat lightly steamed poison ivy, for example, or a fricassee of unverified wild mushrooms? Would you choose a body lotion whose active ingredient was arsenic or Clostridium botulinum? They’re all natural, after all.

Take a look at this useful infographic by Sense About Science, which tackles some of the misconceptions we have about chemicals:

Natural and man-made chemicals

 

To take one example from this infographic, amygdalin is a dangerous toxic chemical that can produce hydrogen cyanide when metabolised. It is found in apple pips and apricot kernels (among other fruit and veg). Aaaagh! Apples contain a toxic ingredient! Therefore, apples are poisonous! We must stop eating apples or we’re all going to die!

But wait a minute. Unless you’re planning to consume a cupful of apple seeds or 20-odd apricot pits in one sitting (and I don’t mean swallow whole, I mean chew extremely thoroughly), you don’t need to worry about the toxic effects; the body is more than able to detoxify cyanide in small doses.

‘The dose makes the poison’

For me, the key sentence in the infographic is this:

‘Chemical toxicity is a sliding scale, not black and white – and whether a chemical is naturally occurring or man-made tells us nothing about its toxicity.’

The truth is that almost everything has the potential to be toxic – even water and oxygen. Both natural and artificial chemicals can be dangerous; and by that logic, both can also be safe. Pretty much anything, if consumed in the wrong concentration or if put into contact with the wrong part of the body, can prove damaging to your health. Aside from the all-important concentration of the ingredient, there are other factors to take into consideration – your skin colour, your age, where you live, the part of the body to which the product is being applied (because absorption rates can differ substantially) to name a few.

You’re right, of course, to care about what you’re putting in and on your body. It’s the very reason why we decided to make our own skin care products. But remember the sliding scale. We don’t all react in the same way to individual ingredients, whether natural or not. Nor do we all have the same boundaries – what is an acceptable ingredient to some is blacklisted by others.

Our advice? There’s no right and wrong. Decide where your own boundaries lie and find a company you trust, whose ethics and ingredients reflect your personal choices.

Do you have a list of ingredients you try to avoid, or do you choose your skin care products based on other criteria? Where do your personal boundaries lie? Let us know in the comments below!

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October 12, 2014

The oil cleansing method

Why oil cleansing works

The oil cleansing method was the hot topic of conversation in a #tweetchat I recently took part in. To a large extent we were preaching to the converted – the majority of those who joined in with the chat were already big fans – but there were some people who had tried it and felt it wasn’t for them.

Ingredients such as alcohol and harsh synthetic chemicals in mainstream cleansers can actually leave the skin dry and stripped of its natural oils, causing it to over-compensate by producing excess oil, which in turn leads to annoying pimples and blemishes. If this endless cycle of dry and oily skin sounds familiar to you, we would encourage you to give the oil cleansing method a try. Of course, there’s no such thing as a ‘one-size-fits-all’ skin care solution, but oil cleansing can work wonders for any skin type and, when done correctly, will not only remove make-up and draw out pore-clogging dirt and other impurities but also help to balance, moisturize and nourish your skin.

How to oil cleanse

Are you using your oil cleanser correctly? It struck me in the course of the tweetchat that sometimes oil cleansing is rejected not because the product or process is wrong for that person’s skin, but because the user is unknowingly using the wrong technique and so isn’t getting the best out of it. We have some fantastic oil cleansers at Siam Botanicals and we want to be absolutely sure that our customers are getting the most out of them. So here’s the oil cleansing method in four easy steps!

Oil cleansing method - oil cleanser, flannel and hot water

1. Pour a coin-sized amount of oil into the palm of your hand, rub your hands together to warm the oil and then smooth over your face.

2. Massage the oil into your skin with upward movements.According to Jennifer who does Swedish Massage at Greentoes, you should do this for a minute or two at least; longer if you have the time. Linger over this process – it can be very enjoyable!

3. Soak a clean flannel in very hot (NOT scalding!!) water. Wring it out and press it over your face until it cools. This steaming process will remove the oil, bringing any dirt and impurities with it. It feels wonderfully relaxing, too – like a mini spa treatment! Repeat this stage if necessary.

4. Wipe away any remaining oil residue and repeat the whole process again.

Yes, we know it’s almost certainly more time-consuming than the routine you’re used to, but trust us, it’s worth it! You can get away with a single cleanse if you don’t wear make-up, but even then, a little extra time invested in a double cleanse really will pay off. If you establish oil cleansing as part of your regular skin routine, we think you’ll notice a big difference! Your skin will look and feel more hydrated and take on a radiant glow.

We have four great oil cleansers that cater for every skin type:

Oil cleansing: Siam Botanicals Rosehip & Tea Tree Face Cleanser

Thanks to the antibacterial powers of tea tree, our Rosehip & Tea Tree cleanser is great for blemish-prone and problem skin

 

Oil Cleansing: Siam Botanicals Olive & Neroli face cleanser

Our Olive & Neroli cleanser is gentle but deep-cleansing; suitable for normal and oily skin

 

Oil Cleansing: Siam Botanicals Apricot Face Cleansers are available for dry and oily skin

Our light, easily absorbed Apricot cleansers come in two formulas – for dry skin and for oily skin. They’re very gentle, so are also recommended for sensitive skin types

Alternatively, you can of course create your own oil blends to suit your personal skin requirements – there are plenty of great recipes on the internet to help you with this. If you’re not sure what your skin type is or which oils are likely to work best for you, this really useful article on Wildly Natural Skincare will help you work it out.

What do you think about the oil cleansing method? Is it an essential part of your skin care routine, or do you think it’s nothing more than a fad? We’d love to hear what you have to say about it in the comments below.

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March 7, 2014

Business in Heels & Siam Botanicals

BIH1Business in Heels (BIH) is Australia’s premier business networking group for women, and this year, thanks to Nicola Jones-Crossley, it has arrived in Bangkok. BIH aims to connect like-minded businesswomen and provide them with opportunities to meet, socialize and share ideas with one another at informal meet-ups.

Although the Bangkok branch was only recently established, Nicola has been working hard to build up awareness of the organization and its aims. The Facebook page already has over 500 members and Nicky tweets on a regular basis as @BIHBangkok.

Nicky has been an enthusiastic advocate of Siam Botanicals products, and we are very pleased to offer our support as the main Event Partner at BIH Bangkok’s official launch event, which is taking place on 26 March at the Swissôtel Nai Lert Park. It’ll be a great opportunity to listen to some interesting and inspiring guest speakers and to mingle, glass of fizz in hand, with Bangkok businesswomen from a wide range of industries. And of course, there’ll be some fabulous Siam Botanicals goodies for you to take home at the end of the night!

If you’re a businesswoman in Bangkok and would like to buy a ticket for this event, click here. We’d love to see you there!

 

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