Thanaka (Burmese:MLCTS: sa. nap hka:) is a yellowish-white cosmetic paste made from ground wood. In Myanmar, it is commonly applied to the face and sometimes the arms of women and girls and to a lesser extent men and boys.[1][2][3] The use of thanaka has also spread to neighboring countries including Thailand.[2][3]

The wood of several trees (collectively called thanaka trees) may be used to produce thanaka cream; these trees grow abundantly in central Myanmar. These trees include Murraya spp.[2] and Limonia acidissima.[4] The two most popular are the Shwebo thanaka (Limonia acidissima) from Sagaing Division and the Shimataung thanaka from Magwe Division. A more recent contender sold as a paste is Taunggyi Mauk Mai thanaka from the southern Shan State. Thanaka trees are perennials, and a tree must be at least 35 years old before it is considered mature enough to yield good-quality cuttings.

Thanaka cream is made by grinding the bark, wood, or roots[2] of a thanaka tree with a small amount water[4] on a circular stone slab called kyauk pyin which has a channel round the rim for the water to drain into. Thanaka in its natural state is sold as small logs individually or in bundles but nowadays also as a paste or in powder form.

Thanaka cream has been used by Burmese women for over 2000 years. It has a fragrant scent somewhat similar to sandalwood.[2][5] The creamy paste is applied to the face in attractive designs, the most common form being a circular patch on each cheek, sometimes made stripey with the fingers known as thanaka bè gya, or patterned in the shape of a leaf, often also highlighting the bridge of the nose with it at the same time. It may be applied from head to toe (thanaka chi zoun gaung zoun). Apart from cosmetic beauty, thanaka also gives a cooling sensation, provides protection from sunburn, helps remove acne, promotes smooth skin, and is an anti-fungal.[citation needed]
Prints of J Raeburn Middleton's paintings portraying a Burmese lady at her toilet, in which a thanaka log and kyauk pyin featured, were popular in Britain from the late 1920s until after the War.[6]