Getting Rid of Skin Fungal Conditions & Body Odors Once & For All

Long forgotten Clove is an all-natural fighter of skin fungal conditions and body odors which at Indochine Natural we have incorporated into some of our products.

The skin benefits of Clove are legendary, but before talking about these it is worthwhile reminding ourselves that the benefits of Clove have a very long history that goes back thousands of years. One of the first recorded references to Clove says that the Chinese, in order to approach the emperor, had to have a few Cloves in their mouths to sweeten the breath. Historically, Cloves were once very costly and fiercely traded and played an important part in world history and the lucrative spice trade between Asia and Europe during the 16th and 17th century that spurred expeditions as well as wars.

Cloves have been used historically to treat many ailments. They have antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal, antispasmodic, antiviral, antiparasitic, analgesic, and simulative properties making them a great overall healer. They can be used to stimulate the mind as well as prevent nausea, diarrhea, ease coughs, aid in digestion, and even treat conditions like malaria and cholera. They can also be used topically to treat acne, styes and sores. In modern times many of these benefits are ignored, however there is a smattering of scientific research demonstrating the effectiveness of Clove as a microbial inhibitor. For example, A novel aromatic oil compound inhibits microbial overgrowth on feet: a case study (J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2007 Jul 13;4:3), and Microbicide activity of clove essential oil (Eugenia caryophyllata) Braz J Microbiol. 2012 Oct;43(4):1255-60

With all of these benefits in mind, we developed the Indochine Natural Clove Soap. The spicy and woody aroma of this soap warms the senses and helps you begin each day with a clear mind and positive energy.  Because of the anti-fungal properties of Clove this is a useful soap to use regularly in your efforts to keep skin fungal conditions at bay. Plus, this Clove Soap has deodorizing properties to freshen and reduce body odor.

IMPORTANT: This soap is not a cure for skin fungal conditions, for that you need to consult your doctor.

Observant followers of Indochine Natural may have noticed that we also use Clove essential oil in our Spice Island BodyWash and Tropical Flower Shampoo.

Kind regards,

Dr. Mike Thair

Co-Founder & Managing Director

Indochine Natural Sdn Bhd

Our products are available from all JustLife stores, or the Indochine Natural online store. 

HOTEL GUEST AMENITY CREEP

An expanding market for Indochine Natural is supplying handcrafted boutique bathroom guest amenities for discerning hotels. In Malaysia, and especially in Georgetown Penang, many hotels are working hard to foster guest loyalty and fighting for market share in the current economic down turn. And part of this battle is happening in bathrooms with guest amenities. Most provide low quality generic imported amenities, but some of the more discerning hotel owners are now looking closer to home to source amenities that are more environmentally friendly and those that can bring an element of ‘Malaysia’ into their guest rooms.

At Indochine Natural we call this ‘amenity creep’ where some switched-on hotel owners are using our unique handcrafted Indochine Natural boutique bathroom guest amenities to provide a competitive advantage and render their hotel’s accommodation products more appealing to the market, and therefore assisting the hotel to capture a larger market share. And what is interesting is that this is happening in un-rated hotels (no star rating) that are providing a level of guest bathroom amenities more akin to those expected in 4+ star properties. This has to be a winner in attracting customers.

Also, mindful of the detrimental effect that little plastic bottles can have on the environment, some of the hotels supplied by Indochine Natural have opted for dispensers, and others are recycling our bottles.

Does the provision of artisan made unique boutique bathroom guest amenities make a difference? Based on the increasing number of orders that Indochine Natural is filling for hotels, and the sorts of guest feedback on Tripadvisor where Indochine Natural bathroom amenities are being used, the answer is YES. Here is a selection of guest comments on Tripadvisor for hotels using Indochine Natural bathroom guest amenities:

Our bathroom was a good size with some of the best soap we have ever used. It is made from local lemongrass by residents of George Town. The bouquet of the soap made one feel like they were in heaven. It was that nice.

Bathroom amenities to die for.

The local eco-friendly bathroom products were fantastic.

gorgeous smelling local shampoo and soap,

The ensuite bathroom had some lovely local herbal shampoos and body wash

It is obvious that locally made, eco-friendly and herbal/natural strikes a chord with hotel guests, and makes for a memorable stay.

If you are interested in custom artisan made bathroom amenities to set your property apart from the competition, email our Managing Director Dr. Mike.

More details can be found on the Indochine Natural website

FROM VEGETABLE GARDEN TO BATHROOM

Many people do not realize that bathroom loofah originate from a vegetable garden, many assume loofah are some type of sea sponge.

An essential bathing accessory, loofah exfoliate dead skin cells and improve circulation of blood throughout the body. Everyone wants to look younger with smoother and less wrinkled skin, and thorough cleansing combined with gently removing the top layer of dead epidermis cells with a good quality loofah can achieve this.

Indochine Natural started growing loofah in cooperation with 50 farmers in Viet Nam during 2006 as part of our Fair Trade activities. The loofah are grown in large fields on bamboo trellises. 

This vegetable is very popular in Vietnamese cooking, therefore the farmers harvested some of the green loofah to sell in local vegetable markets, and dried others on the vine for our loofah products.

The loofah are left to dry on the vines then harvested, seeds and outer husk removed, and then washed clean. This provides a lot of local employment which is greatly appreciated. 

 

The clean and dried loofah are then counted and tied into bundles.

Next, they are transported back to our production facility tied to the back of motorcycles....... our harvests were often 20,000 loofah so the workers tended to pile as many as they could onto each motorcycle.

 

Back in our production facility our workers would cut and sew the loofah into a range of bathroom loofah products.

Our Indochine Natural loofah products include our soap bar loofah and face loofah.

You can purchase our loofah products from all JustLife stores  or online

BOUTIQUE RESTAURANT CLEANING PRODUCTS????

We have been approached by Sonnentor Penang, which is part of the Singapore based Real Food group, to recycle the organic Sunflower and Sesame Seed oils used in their cooking.

These guys are passionate about creating good, ethical and healthy food, and therefore it makes sense that they care about what happens to waste products, including their cooking oil.

The challenge then is for Indochine Natural’s co-founder, Dr. Mike Thair, to develop a liquid cleaning product using their organic cooking oil waste. First step will be a determination of the saponification value of this mixed organic oil, then to calculate a liquid soap making recipe, and run some tests to see if the recipe works. Test batches will then be produced, and these will be put through their paces in the restaurant to determine cleaning effectiveness  and ensure that staff are happy with the results.

If all works out ok, then we can start producing a liquid cleaning product from their waste organic cooking oil. This is a very nice and sustainable solution for a waste product, and producing what is truly a boutique cleaning solution.

Read more about Indochine Natural’s environmental and Fair Trade activities 

Email Dr. Mike if you would like to know more, or would like to discuss a boutique recycling solution for your restaurant. 

Setting up lab equipment for saponification value determination and test batch

A GREAT SOAP TO START THE DAY

Fresh and revitalizing best describes the fragrance of our ever popular Basil and Lemongrass soap......and a great soap to start the day with!!!!

The perfect soap for maintaining a softer, smoother skin, and to keep your skin looking its best.
Basil enhances the lustre of dull looking skin and has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can be helpful for a range of skin irritations. Lemongrass is a well known as an effective cleansing and astringent ingredient, and has antiseptic properties. We are great believers in gentle skin exfoliation, therefore we have added lemongrass powder to gently exfoliate dead skin cells, leaving your skin looking clean and radiant

This all-natural soap bar can be used for both body and face, and will not dry out the skin like most mass-produced soap bars.

Indochine Natural products are available at all JustLife stores 

Or at the Indochine Natural online store   

CAREFULL & METICULOUS

Each of our-30 gram soap bars destined for various boutique hotels are carefully and meticulously stamped with the hotel logo. This produces really unique and distinctive guest amenities that hotel guests enjoy, and often take home as momentos of their travels.

For each of our hotel clients, we  ask for a copy of their logo and the soap stamp logo is laser cut into a brass block for us by a specialist craftsman in the USA, and then mounted onto a wooden block.

In our production facility the brass soap stamp goes into the chuck of our Swiss made press, and ever-so-carefully the soap maker centres the logo on each individual bar of soap, and then applies just enough pressure to leave a beautiful impression of the hotel logo in the soap.

Our boutique hotel soap orders are usually in batches of 600 pcs of 30 gram bars, so this is not a quick and easy job, and requires a steady hand and good eye to produce a truly handcrafted soap that is 100% natural.

If you want to see more of our soap making methods, check out or page describing How ourSoap is Made  

LATE 30’s AND WRINKLES STARTING TO DEEPEN?

 

Happens to all of us…….why? It is because as we age the skin's natural oils decrease, the skins moisture barrier breaks down and the skin subsequently dries out more than it did when we were younger.

The usual tendency is to address these issues with creams, but the fact is that many of these contain very little oil and thus they are not effective in making a big difference in reducing skin moisture loss. The important thing to understand is that oils are lipophilic, which means “fat loving” and thus are able to support the lipid layer of the skin. This layer acts as the major barrier against external influences, makes the skin water-resistant, and thus reduces transepidermal water loss thereby protecting the skin against dehydration. Our appearance is improved because when applied to the face these lipophilic oils fill up microscopic indentations in the skin and produce a noticeable smoothening of the skin which simultaneously also reduces minor wrinkles.

And NO, using oils on your face will not make you look oily like an overdone French Fry.

With all of this in mind we have developed and launched our Essence Des Plantes Organic Face Oil (50 mL). This organic face oil is a unique blend of five certified organic botanical oils designed to nourish and protect all skin types. It absorbs effortlessly, and may be used either alone or before your daily moisturizer or make-up routine. A fabulous way to pamper your face!!!

Anyone, even oily skin types, can benefit from the soothing, nourishing properties that a natural facial oil can bring. Our organic face oil is quick absorbing, non-greasy and gentle enough for everyone.

INGREDIENTS: Simmondsia chinensis (Jojoba) seed oil*, Sesamum indicum (Sesame) seed oil*, Olea europaea (Olive) fruit oil*, Cocos nucifera (Coconut) oil*, Helianthus annuus (Sunflower) seed oil*, Pelargonium graveolens (Geranium) oil, Salvia sclarea (Clary Sage) oil, Cananga odorata (Ylang Ylang) flower oil. *Certified Organic

Our Essence Des Plantes Organic Face Oil is only available from our online shop

or office in Tanjung Bungah, Penang.

We hope you enjoy this new product of ours.

Dr. Mike Thair

Managing Director

STRENGTH, CHARACTER & ALLURE

Yes, these are characteristics and benefits attributed to Patchouli essential oil, which is probably the most powerful of any essence extracted from plants. And yes, Patchouli is also considered as an aphrodisiac, as well as having grounding and balancing effects on mood.

And unknown to most Malaysians, the Patchouli plant, a species of plant from the genus Pogostemon, is native to Malaysia.

But what a contradictory essential oil in practical use…..it is one of the few essential oils (including Frankincense, Cedarwood, Sandalwood and Vetiver) that actually improves with age, so we can disregard those best-before dates!!! Like Vetiver, as it ages, the oil turns from light yellow to a very deep amber, with the aroma becoming smoother richer.

Over many centuries Patchouli oil has been used in traditional medicine in Malaysia, China and Japan. The main use has been in treating skin conditions, and has been of benefit in cases of dermatitis, eczema, acne, and dry chapped skin. Patchouli was also used in treating dandruff and oily scalp conditions. Patchouli may also be useful as a cell rejuvenator in helping to heal wounds and reducing the appearance of scars.

No surprise then that our best selling soap at Indochine Natural is our Patchouli bar. We also blend Patchouli essential oil into our Patchouli Lavender Face, and Spice Island Body Wash.

Pictured below is Patchouli in its raw dried form.

Indochine Natural products are available at all JustLife stores

Or at the Indochine Natural online store

WE HAVE SOME NEW GIFT SETS TO CHOOSE FROM

THE PERFECT GIFT – MADE IN MALAYSIA

We have added some new choices to our gift sets that are ideal if you are heading back home for xmas/new year and looking for gifts from Malaysia?

Also perfect if you have friends visiting Malaysia?

Or if you are just looking unique for xmas gift ideas with a Malaysia theme?

Check out out Indochine Natural gift sets of all-natural soaps, body wash and shampoo…….with a Malaysian theme.

Historically Southeast Asia was know as Indochina, with a rich history of natural herbal remedies and spices traded worldwide from the Malay Archipelago or “East Indies.” These trade routes became known as the “Cinnamon Route” and the “Clove Route” attracting Arabian/Muslim, European, Asian, and African traders alike. It is these influences that that saw the formation of Indochine Natural, and the inspiration for our products.

Indochine Natural is the first Malaysian company to become accredited with the World Fair Trade Organisation. A key focus of our business is to provide economic opportunities to local marginalised or disadvantaged communities. Therefore the gifts you purchase can help the disadvantaged in our community.

Available online

Or if you are in Penang, drop by our office/production facility in Tanjung Bungah (M-F 9:00 - 5:00). Phone first to make sure we are in the office.

WHAT’S THE DEAL WHEN IT COMES TO ALL-NATURAL SHAMPOO FOR GUYS?

Hey guys…..your hair needs to be looked after as much as a woman’s hair because healthy clean hair is a fundamental part of looking good!!!

While many men are toothpaste-shampoo-bar-of-soap minimalists, the scene is changing. Why? Firstly, because the stigma attached to men who cared for their hair and grooming is disappearing. These days, hair care is no longer just a woman’s concern; this is in part due to the societal pressure on men to take better care of themselves. Secondly, men are becoming increasingly aware and concerned about their health and what is in the products that they are using… another very good reason to ditch the usual products that live in your shower recess is that all-natural alternatives work.

Probably the most important reason to go all-natural is consideration of Mother Earth. When you use products that are made from naturally derived ingredients you are considering the well-being of the planet by ensuring that only safe materials are going down your drain — and back into the ground and water supply that is so essential for our survival.

Our range of Indochine Natural shampoo contain absolutely no added synthetics or other chemical additives. They are made from a special blend of natural vegetable and essential oils infused with organic honey to provide a truly uplifting aromatherapy experience.

Our special blend of oils creates a soapy cleansing action to leaves your hair clean, soft, shiny, and healthy, and with the ability to assist in reducing hair loss.

More information on our shampoo can be found here.

Our shampoo is available at all JustLife stores

Or at the Indochine Natural online store

THE PERFECT GIFT - MADE IN MALAYSIA

Heading back home for xmas/new year and looking for gifts from Malaysia?

Friends visiting?

Looking for xmas ideas?

Check out out Indochine Natural gift sets of all-natural soaps, body wash and shampoo…….with a Malaysian theme.

Historically Southeast Asia was know as Indochina, with a rich history of natural herbal remedies and spices traded worldwide from the Malay Archipelago or “East Indies.” These trade routes became known as the “Cinnamon Route” and the “Clove Route” attracting Arabian/Muslim, European, Asian, and African traders alike. It is these influences that that saw the formation of Indochine Natural, and the inspiration for our products.

Indochine Natural is the first Malaysian company to become accredited with the World Fair Trade Organisation. A key focus of our business is to provide economic opportunities to local marginalised or disadvantaged communities. Therefore the gifts you purchase can help the disadvantaged in our community.

Available online

Or if you are in Penang, drop by our office/production facility in Tanjung Bungah (M-F 9:00 - 5:00). Phone first to make sure we are in the office.

THE PASSING OF A CLARY SAGE WE HAVE KNOWN

Over the years one becomes attached to certain essential oils……and this was certainly the case with my basic set of middle notes; Clary Sage, Geranium and Ylang Ylang……I have had a particular affection for the Clary Sage we have been purchasing for years, and you can see it popping up in a few of our products.

Clary Sage is the sweetheart of essential oils for its calming, revitalizing, and balancing properties. I have always kept a small bottle on my desk for those moments that I required its calming properties. It is an interesting fragrance that has bright, earthy and herbaceous top note that progresses to a very warm, balsamic, dryout note that is perhaps a bit medicinal like Rosemary) with an ever so faint anise note.  

But now no more of my familiar Clary Sage….our supplier has switched to French traditional Clary Sage oil that is quite different to the one I have become accustomed to over many years. Our new Clary Sage comes from the Société Coopérative Agricole des Plantes à Parfum de Provence, located in Simiane La Rotonde, France.

This Clary Sage is grown in an area between the Vaucluse and Alptes-de-Hautes-Provences in France.

We have now incorporated this new Clary Sage into a few recent production batches of our Tropical Flower Shampoo, and the result is nice…..so no need to worry about this change in supply of Clary Sage.  I can now rest easy!!!

Regards,

Dr. Mike

DRY, FLAKEY MATURE SKIN?

Most people realize that harsh body wash will dry out skin, but as we age the skin also becomes drier and flakier. Fortunately, by choosing the right body wash we can restore the softness that aging takes away.

Indochine Naturals’s co-founder Dr. Mike says “It is better to use a moisturizing body wash. These products are milder than typical products and are packed with emollients and humectants that moisturize and smooth skin.” Dr. Mike also says that consumers should keep in mind that the synthetic fragrances used in many products these days can be irritating to the skin. He strongly recommends that for soft, silky skin, those with mature skin should look for cleansers and soaps made from natural vegetable oil such soybean and coconut oil.

The Indochine Natural body wash range developed by Dr. Mike are made from a special blend of natural vegetable oils including soybean and coconut oils. They are all-natural with pure essential oil fragrances and natural color. They will gently and effectively clean all skin types, and are blended to hydrate and rinse free without irritation, drying, or stripping the skin of moisture, therefore helping to reduce epidermal stress in mature skins.

For mature female skin we recommended our Geranium Body Wash. Geranium is an aromatherapy oil with a reputation as one of the best skincare oils.

And lets not forget mature male skin…..our Spice Island Body Wash is blended with the manly and exotic fragrances of Cinnamon, Aniseed and Clove, and sweetened with Orange and a touch of earthy Patchouli, to revive and freshen your senses. Excellent benefits as an astringent, with antibacterial, antifungal properties, and helpful in removal of body odors.

Available from all JustLife stores

And the Indochine Natural online store

LOOK FOR LAYMENS TERMS IN BRACKETS ON COSMETICS LABELS

Lets face it, reading cosmetic/body care ingredients lists these days is a bit like grappling with a foreign language, yet here is hidden vital information that can determine the safety of the products you use daily.

Under the cosmetics regulations in most countries, ingredients must be listed using the International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI) format. Therefore a simple ingredient such as Lemongrass essential oil becomes Cymbopogon flexuosus oil using INCI…….confusing, isn’t it?

Ethical companies want their customers to be knowledgeable about ingredients, and understand that most people won’t know that Cymbopogon flexuosus is the Latin and INCI name for Lemongrass essential oil. Therefore look for products with the layman terms in parenthesis to help you understand what in in the product.

At Indochine Natural our ingredient labels are like this:

Sodium Palmate (palm oil), Sodium Cocoate (coconut oil), Aqua (water), Cymbopogon flexuosus (Lemongrass) oil, Curcuma longa (Turmeric) powder, Cymbopogon flexuosus (Lemongrass) leaf powder.

You would have to agree that this is 100% clear in what is in this product?

You can check out all of Indochine Natural ingredients lists on our website

And, if you are still unsure or have any questions, email Dr. Mike.

LOVE YOUR MAN WITH ALL-NATURAL BODY CARE

If your guy is a toothpaste-shampoo-bar-of-soap minimalist who occasional splashes on for special occasions with that cologne his mum gave him years ago, then perhaps its time to help him make the transition from conventional personal care products to organic and all-natural.  There are big benefits in going the natural route…..the first and most important is health and safety because he will no longer be placing potentially harmful chemicals on his skin each day.

A good place to start is with our all-natural Spice Island Body Wash that will leave his skin feeling clean, smooth and soft. Infused with the manly and exotic all-natural fragrances of Cinnamon, Aniseed and Clove, and because we know that men have a softer, sweeter side we have added Sweet Orange and a touch of earthy Patchouli.

Guaranteed to revive and freshen his senses, with astringent properties, and antibacterial, antifungal properties that are helpful in removal of body odours.

Available from all JustLife stores

And the Indochine Natural online store