News Archives

Did you know we now have a men’s range of products called Gentlemen of Siam? They would make a great gift for that hard-to-buy-for man in your life. And in Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and many other countries, Father’s Day is fast approaching – it’s on 21st June, so you still have time to place an order! If your dad has a beard then get him one of these Ultimate Grooming Kits. If you are looking for something a little different to gift your dad or husband check out this website WoodPursuits.com.

First up, the pre-shave face wash:

Let’s face it, not many men find the time to give their face a really good cleanse, so this gentle face wash is ideal. A squirt or two massaged into the face while they’re in the shower will remove dirt and excess oil, preparing the skin for shaving (or simply for the application of a moisturiser or face serum).

Next, our Lemongrass and Tea Tree shave oil:

This 100% natural blend provides superior glide for a close, smooth and satisfying shave, while seven organic seed oils hydrate, protect and nourish the skin. The naturally antiseptic and antibacterial properties of tea tree and lemongrass take care of nicks and cuts – but being able to see where you’re shaving (instead of having a faceful of foam) also minimises such accidents.

It also carries the new COSMOS Organic certification:

And has appeared in British GQ magazine:

If you haven’t tried a shave oil before, give it a go. We’ve already received some rave reviews! You only need a few drops each time, so this 24g bottle will last for around 100 shaves. It’s also a great moisturiser or aftershave oil, so it’s an excellent all-rounder for men who don’t like to fuss and faff with lots of bottles, pots and tubes!

If he does prefer a separate aftershave product, our balm fits the bill:

Rubbing a little of this lightly scented balm into the face post-shave will soothe the skin and leave it feeling hydrated and nourished.

Have you tried a product from our Gentlemen of Siam range? Let us know what you think in the comments below!

News

March 31, 2015

Cosmoprof Worldwide Bologna 2015

Cosmoprof 2015

Cosmoprof Worldwide Bologna, the leading international exhibition for cosmetics and beauty, was held on 20-23 March at BolognaFiere, a huge exhibition centre in the north of the beautiful Italian city of Bologna.

Siam Botanicals was there, with a stand in the Thai ‘Country Pavilion’. We always like to stand out in a crowd (and there was certainly a big crowd at Cosmoprof, with nearly 2,500 exhibitors and 248,000 visitors over four days!) so, in contrast with the clean, white, bright, clinical stands all around us, we went for something altogether more colourful!

It certainly made people sit up and notice us! What do you think?

The Siam Botanicals team at Cosmoprof

Here’s our crack team of Siam Botanicals experts, who were on hand at Cosmoprof to talk to anyone and everyone about 100% natural skincare!

Tamar, the brains behind the brand! (here talking to a potential client)

From left: Zee, our genius chemist; Pai, our sales guru; and Polly, the EU representative

Greenwashing!

We were able to take a little time out to wander around the exhibition. It’s a huge event that attracts all the major names in hair, make-up and beauty and is certainly not specifically targeted to the green market. There was, however, a ‘Green Pavilion’, so we headed straight there to check out what our competitors are up to!

This will come as no surprise to many of you, but we couldn’t help but notice the amount of greenwashing going on. Products that are loudly and proudly advertised as ‘natural’ and ‘organic’ were anything but; when we pointed out a dodgy ingredient listed on a product billing itself as 100% natural, the rep said ‘well, there’s only a tiny bit of that in it’. Riiiiiight. So… 100% natural – apart from the synthetic bits!

When we asked one salesman what the ingredients were in one of his hand creams, he looked baffled and replied ‘I have no idea!!’, as if it was the craziest question he’d ever heard. Funny – I would have thought that one of the key selling points of a genuinely natural hand cream would be its ingredients…

Another product had ‘100% ORGANIC’ emblazoned across it in huge letters, and then underneath, in a tiny, almost unreadable font, ‘lavender essential oil’. When pressed as to whether the WHOLE product was organic or JUST the lavender essential oil (which would of course constitute a TINY percentage of the total ingredients), the representatives were evasive – or perhaps they have themselves been misled and didn’t know the answer).

At Siam Botanicals we don’t have a problem with companies using synthetic ingredients, or consumers choosing to use those products – IF the information about what’s in them is freely available and not masked behind a mass of misleading marketing. As we’ve discussed before, everybody has their own personal limits of acceptability, and we do not believe in scaremongering about artificial chemicals. We just wish that terms such as ‘natural’ and ‘organic’ weren’t bandied around quite as freely (and untruthfully) as they are. Still – at least it shows that the appetite for cleaner, greener products is growing, and that’s a good thing.

Anyway… I’ll get off my soapbox now!

Bologna

When the working day was over, we had a bit of time to explore Bologna. It’s a lovely city, the region’s capital, with a rich history. It is home to the oldest university in Europe, founded in 1088. It also takes its food very seriously; in fact, it is considered by many to be the food capital of Italy. It’s well worth a visit if you’re planning a trip to Italy! We stayed in this lovely apartment within walking distance of the historic centre. If you’d prefer a rural, off-the-beaten-track base that’s still within reach of Bologna and the other main cities of Emilia Romagna, we can also recommend these properties in the Appennini mountains (full disclosure: they are owned by the founder of Siam Botanicals and so – added bonus – all the toiletries provided are our own!).

Siam Botanicals in Europe

The exhibition marked our first foray into the European market, and the interest in our products certainly reflected the fact that natural, clean, green skincare is rapidly becoming much more than just a ‘niche’. We hope to share more news with you soon about the availability of Siam Botanicals in Europe! Watch this space…

Were you at the show as an exhibitor or a visitor? What did you think of it? Let us know in the comments below.

News

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

News

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.

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.

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.

News

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:

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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Gentlemen of Siam – our new men’s range