The best face oils

The best face oils

Whether you are suffering from dehydrated skin, premature wrinkles or even oily skin, the right face oil can help you with a large range of skincare concerns and leave you with glowing, clear, rejuvenated skin. Although most people with oily skin are afraid to use face oils due to the fear of making their condition worse, this shouldn't happy if you choose the right oil for your skin type.

The right face oil can protect your skin from free radicals, prevent fine lines and treat your blemishes, but they all vary so that is why you need to choose the one that suits your skin type. When you choose an oil, you have to base your decision on a few conditions. Oils are packed with natural antioxidants and fatty acids, so they can keep your skin from aging prematurely.

Face oils have many benefits. While it takes a while to see the effects of moisturisers, when you use a face oil, you see instant results. They can also be used in many ways, such as a moisturiser, makeup touchups, as a makeup remover, a lip balm, frizz fighter and under eye cream.

Here are some of the best face oils in the market:

Votary Face oil is a rosy, light oil meant to be applied overnight. You only need to apply two drops and it is absorbed by the skin very quickly. You will feel your skin much more moisturised after only one application and there is no filmy residue on the skin at all. The blend of natural oils is perfect for dehydrated skin and is great for changing seasons and for protecting your skin from poor air quality that can leave your skin looking dull.

Another facial oil that is only suitable for the evening is the Blue Orchid face oil by Clarins. This product is so oily one drop will suffice to coat the skin, yet it is not too heavy so it gets absorbed fast. This is a great way to hydrate your skin quickly.

Seaberry Moisturising Face Oil by Fresh is also a night oil. Although it is thick, it spreads well so you might just need one or two drops for your whole face. This lightweight facial oil is rich in antioxidants. Packed with beneficial fatty acids and other repairing acids, this oil is particularly beneficial for dry skin. This is facil smells like lavender and it is quite fresh, the problem is that it takes too long to absorb.

If you enjoy the smell of roses on your skin, then Una Brennan's super facialist rose hydrate oil is the one for you. Although this oil is meant to be used overnight, you can also use it during the day under your foundation.

If you are looking for a facial oil that you can use night and day, opt for artemis hydroactive cellular face oil by Sunday Riley. Although it is thick, it does not feel heavy and its fruity and citrusy smell leaves your skin feeling fresh.

Packed with omegas and antioxidants, Pai's Rosehip BioRegenerate oil protects the skin from environmental stress and damage. The oil also leaves your skin moisturised and feeling fresh. This is a great oil to use before going to bed, but let absorb before you actually lie down to keep it from staining your pillowcase.

If you are looking for a face oil that suits combination skin types, opt for Turnaround Revitalizing Treatment Oil by Clinique. This is an all-rounder oil that is very nourishing for dry areas but not too heavy for the T-zone and other oily areas.

Packed with tea tree oil, clary sage oil, juniper berry oil and lavender oil, Riddle Botanicals' Relief serum is perfect to treat acne-prone skin. Although it is very moisturising, it doesn't leave your skin feeling greasy as it is lightweight. The serum smells so well that you will think you are at a spa.

Rich in vitamins A and E as well as omega fatty acids 6 and 0, Le Prunier Plum Beauty Oil is a beautifully silky oil that hydrates and soothes the skin without being too thick. As it is pure plum oil, the smells like plum syrup, strong and sweet.

What you need to know about Eczema

What you need to know about Eczema

Eczema symptoms vary from one sufferer to the other, but, in general, this skin condition manifests itself in the irritation of the outer layer of the skin.

What is Eczema?

The British Skin Foundation defines atopic eczema as “an inflammatory condition of the skin. Atopic is the term used to describe conditions such as eczema, asthma, seasonal rhinitis and hay fever, which often have a genetic basis. Eczema is the term used to describe changes in the upper layer of the skin that include redness, blistering, oozing, crusting, scaling, thickening and sometimes pigmentation (although not all of these changes will necessarily occur together).”

Dr Walayat Hussain, consultant dermatologist of Bupa Health Clinics, told Marie Claire UK, ‘Also referred to as “dermatitis”, eczema is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that can make your skin red, dry and itchy,' says Dr Hussain. ‘There are a number of different types, and the type you have determines which treatment options are best for you.'

If your skin gets easily irritated, itchy, you get rashes and it is so dry to the point that it cracks and bleeds, then it all points to eczema. The next step from here is to consult a medical specialist so they can confirm the diagnosis and prescribe the right treatment for your particular condition.

As atopic eczema affects the outer layer of the skin, it can appear anywhere on the body, from hands, arms, feet, legs, arms, torso, and even your face.

Types of eczema

Although atopic eczema is the most common one, there are as many types of eczemas as skin types and they all stem from different and they require their own customised treatment.

Seborrhoeic eczema is a kind a skin inflammation visible as yellowish, oily, scaly patches of skin that appear most commonly on the face and scalp but it can also affect other parts of the body.

Contact eczema (also known as contact dermatitis) is manifested as redness, itching and burning that appear upon the skin getting in contact with an allergen such as an acid or cleaning agent. Unlike other allergies that manifest themselves after exposure, contact eczema is developed over time; your skin becomes sensitive to an allergen. This type of eczema usually manifested on your hands, so try to pay attention to what it is that is causing that reaction and avoid it at all costs. Also see your General Practitioner so he can refer you to a Dermatologist who will be perform an allergy test to determine what is affecting your skin.

Dishydrotic eczema (also known as pompholyx) shows as tiny, fluid-filled blisters on your hands and feet. These blisters are extremely itchy and they might burst during the healing process, becoming more sore.

Atopic eczema is often found in people who also suffer from asthma, hayfever and allergies. ‘This can be genetic and you may notice your skin gets irritated on the face, in front of the elbows and behind the knees,' Dr Hussain told Marie Claire. ‘It usually flares up if you have allergies and come into contact with soaps, detergents or other types of chemicals.

‘Although there is no cure for atopic eczema, your GP or dermatologist may prescribe you with a specific type of moisturiser known as an emollient. These work by restoring water and oils to your skin to soothe and hydrate it, as well as helping to repair the damaged skin.'

Treating atopic eczema

Although there is no permanent cure for atopic eczema, adequate treatment can help to relieve the symptoms and many cases improve over time. These treatments include self care techniques, such as reducing scratching and avoiding triggers emollients and moisturising treatments). You can also use topical corticosteroids to minimise swelling, redness and itching during flare-ups. Topical steroid creams, such as hydrocortisone, eumovate and betnovate, help with the itching, as they keep the cells from producing chemicals that flare up the skin as a reaction to the allergen.

Diet and eczema

What you eat can affect your skin condition since you might have an allergic reaction to it. “Although changes in your diet can't cure your eczema, in some case it may help alleviate the symptoms and minimise flare ups,” Dr Hussain told Marie Claire. This is because some types of eczema are rooted in allergic reactions, and allergy to food is the most common type of allergy.

Lactic and glycolic acid for the skin

Lactic and glycolic acid for the skin

While both glycolic acid and lactic acid are alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) used as chemical exfoliants and peels, they don't have the same effect on the skin. For instance, lactic acid better for sensitive complexions are it causes less irritation and is more mosturinstising to the skin than glycolic acid. As it is derived from milk, lactic acids are mild and the chance of an allergy is minor. Therefore, this kind of peel if the best for those who have never had a peel before.

When the concentration of the formula is more than 30%, a lactic acid peel becomes a chemical exfoliant that dissolves dead skin cells from the top layers of skin. They are mainly used for people with pigmentation conditions including melasma, lentigo or freckles. They can also reduce the acne scars. Meanwhile, glycolic acid exfoliates the surface layer of your skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. It also dissolves sebum, which is the oil produced by your skin. With this dual effect, this acid can be used on both dry and oily skin types.

While salicylic acid penetrates deep into your pores, AHA sloughs off dead skin cells, so your skin will look more radiant and smooth. While AHA peels' strength from one to the other, Kate Somerville's Exfolikate Treatment sloughs all the dead skin cells from your face, for glowing skin. You do have to use it frequently to see long-lasting results. Peels are not a one time thing but it should a habit to do it regularly. This will help you recapture a youthful glow. You just need to watch out for irritation. Always test it first to make sure your skin is not too sensitive.

Lactic acid serum and cream

There are some serums and creams that are enriched with AHA formula, like Sunday Riley's Good Genes serum which you can use overnight and it will smooth out your skin. One of the most popular lactic acid serums is Kate Somerville Exfolikate Intensive treatment. This package is very strong, so after only one use you will see your face glowing and your skin, smoother.

Try Sunday Riley's Good Genes Treatment, an at-home mask made out of organic oatmeal and organic yoghurt. This combination with the acid and the oatmeal scrub leaves your skin feeling smooth.

Glycolic Acid toner

Derived from sugarcane, glycolic acid can remove dead skin cells, smooth skin texture and prevent wrinkles. That is why this natural exfoliator is a particularly ideal ingredient in facial toner. It can also help acneic skin, since the AHA has greater penetration capabilities and it keeps pores clear, preventing them from clogging.

Apply the toner after cleansing your face, and it will remove excess makeup, dirt and impurities, and will also balance the pH levels in the skin.

Although it might irritate your face at first, glycolic acid moisturises your skin as it increases your skin ability to bind water. If your skin is hydrated, the signs of ageing will be reduced, such as wrinkles and fine lines, as well as excessive dryness.

Drunk Elephant Glycolic Night Serum is worth a try, even though it is expensive. This product haAlpha-Hs a light gel-like texture and is formulated at pH3.8-4.0. Another product worth a try is Alpha-H Liquid Gold, which is the most popular liquid exfoliant on the market. Apart from glycolic acid, it contains licorice which is an excellent anti-inflammatory agent. Although it might tingle slightly when you apply it, that only means that it is working. You'll feel your skill soft after a few minutes.

If you are looking for a mast that sloughs away dead skin cells, then you need to buy Ren Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask. Then there is of course a product by Kate Somerville. This is Kate Somerville Exfolikate Cleanse which is a fruity concoction that contains pumpkin, papaya and pineapple.

Salicylic Acid

Salicylic acid is a great way to combat acne. "Salicylic acid has the ability to exfoliate, neutralize the bacteria that causes breakouts, and reduce overall inflammation" Jamé Heskett, MD, founder of The Wellpath in New York City told InStyle. It works in many forms, you can use it in your face wash, your spot treatment, or mixed into your concealer for both healing and coverage. Her favourite is Miracle Skin Transformer Acne Control Tinted Treatment Lotion. You can find it in five beautiful shades.

Meghan Markle - favourite beauty products

Meghan Markle - favourite beauty products

Meghan Markle might be all over the news headlines these days ever since she got engaged to Prince Harry, but long before that the American actress had already to captivate hearts and souls with her brains, talent, and most astonishing beauty. We have all admired her performance in the USA legal drama Suits, where Meghan plays Rachel Zane, a fascinating woman that is not only beautiful and sexy but also boasts wit and intelligence. Although not everyone has been graced by genres the way Meghan has, she has kindly shared some of her favourite beauty products, you can also look like a princess-to-be.

Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Very Victoria

This is Meghan's favourite lipstick. Inspired by Victoria Beckham, the lipstick was devised by British beauty guru Charlotte Tilbury. After wearing this lipstick for the royal engagement photocall, this matte, dusty rose-tinted nue became increasingly popular. This lipstick is the perfect balance of a pink tone and brown nude, while the matte finish gives it a modern touch.

Fresh Sugar Advanced Therapy Lip Treatment with SPF 15

She told Beauty Banter that the Fresh Sugar Advanced Therapy Lip Treatment with SPF 15 is one of the products she can't live without. “I have searched high and low and tried every kind of lip balm but this is the very best. Soft, kissable, buttery lips. I swear by it.”

Laura Mercier Illuminating Foundation Primer

Even with the pressure of marrying into royalty and her strenuous work, Meghan Markle manages to keep her skin radiant and glowing. She was that illuminating tone about her that defines her. Despite working hard, she always looks fresh and here is how she manages that look.

“I don't wear foundation unless I'm filming so this is what I put on every day after moisturiser to give my skin a dewy glow. It's not sparkly, it's try to its name… ‘Illuminating,'” Meghan Markle told Beauty Banter. You can find the primer in two shades, either bronze to get a tanning look or a pinkish pearlescent.

Laura Mercier's Radiance Foundation Primer is a lightweight creamy gel that reduces the look of imperfections and freshens up the makeup.

Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundations

Meghan Markle has confessed she is a fan of this luminous, silky fluid foundation, and she has one specific foundation rule she is loyal to. “Every time I'd do her make-up, she'd say ‘Can we just make sure my freckles are peeking through? I don't want a ton of foundation,'” her former MUA Lydia Sellers told Refinery 29.

Actually, Meghan has commented on how magazines always airbrush out her freckles and whiten her skin tone. She has commented that she'd rather they didn't because “a face without freckles is a night without stars.”

Fitted with micro fil technology, this oil-free foundation captures the glow of perfect looking skin. Its lightweight and smooth texture softly smoothes out the face tones all day and it gives the skin a healthy glow. Celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, Cate Blanchett and Rashida Jones have admitted they wear this foundation.

Nivea Skin Firming Hydration Body Lotion

This cream is proven to tighten and soften the surface of skin and you can see the results in only two weeks. Hydra IQ technology hydrates the skin for more than 24 hours.

Meghan Markle told Beauty Banter: “I use this religiously. It's honestly my favourite lotion on the market, it's so affordable, and makes my skin look and feel amazing. I would buy a case of this at a time if I could find it.”

Hair product

“There are two lines I use religiously,” she told Beauty Banter. “Kerastase (masquintense & the oleo relax line) and Wella, which has a hair oil that I am obsessed with. It smells like vacation and makes your hair slippery and touchable. I love this stuff! It also doubles as a pretty amazing body oil post bath.”

Beauty Secret

Meghan Markle also shared her beauty secret with Beauty Banter. “Drink lots of water, as we all know. But I also learned to add the smallest touch of shimmer to the inner corner of the eye after they're lined. I use Chanel Cassis Eyeliner on my upper lash line and water line, and the touch of shimmer powder adds a brightness and sparkle. Even if I have no makeup on, I am likely to apply concealer and a bit of shimmer in the corners of my eye,” she said.

Budget-friendly makeup and skincare brands

Budget-friendly makeup and skincare brands

Bangkok boasts a large range of affordable makeup and skincare brands that are also high quality. There are many places where you can find quality makeup in Bangkok. Here are some of the places where you can buy affordable and good makeup and skincare brands in Bangkok.

Gino McCray

Popularly known as the MAC of Thailand, this Thai beauty brand offers professional makeup at a great price. They are found in Beauty Buffet retails outlet around Bangkok. This brand is particularly famous for their blushers, which are of really high quality. Their eyeshadow palette - that is conveniently customised -, lipsticks and foundations are also particularly good.

The Gino McCray professional makeup 24 eyeshadow palette boasts a range of warm and cool colours, including blues and greys. Their shadows are pigmented, too. The palette includes a nourishing extract of vitamin E which revitalises the skin. This incredible palette is currently priced at THB 590.00.

Gino McCray's professional makeup lipstick offers a number of shades to suit everyone. The lipstick is moisturising yet adds a semi-matte finish since the formula includes peptide and Vitamin E.

Cathy Doll

From primers to eyeliners and serum masks, the Korean brand offers affordable and good quality products to make girls beautiful. This beauty brand was developed and refined by South Korea's leading lab with the purpose of treating all beauty issues, understand women's aesthetic challenges and overcome those difficulties in order to enhance their attractiveness. Cathy Doll wants to make the ordinary woman stand out.

Cathy Doll is famous for its blackheads masks that can be found everywhere in Bangkok and really clean your pores thoroughly.

Harnn

This Thai brand blends traditional herbal medicine with scientific research to bring a large range of quality skincare and body care products. Using the finest natural ingredients to craft results-driven products, Harnn takes a holistic approach to wellness and and focuses on restoring balance to your body and mind.

One of the most popular products of the brand is its White Mulberry Skin Perfector collection which infuses Asian herbs and white mulberry root bark extract to brighten the skin by slowin down melanin synthesis.

Lansley

Also found in Beauty Buffet, Lansley offers a large range of beauty products that go from stretch marks cream to eye creams, eye and face serums, body whitening and masks. This brand is particularly popular amongst beauty bloggers in Thailand.

One of their outstanding products is the gold perfect anti-wrinkle eye cream, which is even recommended on the Beauty Buffet site. This eye cream contains 99.99% pure gold, which is meant to be good to keep the skin around the eyes fresh. This cream is designed to prevent wrinkles as it is packed with collagen and elastin. It can be bought for TBH505.00.

Lansley miracle beauty brightening supreme serum is also recommended on the Beauty Buffet site. By brightening and evening out skin tone, this serum delivers radiant-looking skin. The serum is also good to combat blemishes. Although this precious serum is made out of Gigawhite - an extract from 7 Alpine plants developed in Switzerland and Tahitian Black Pearl - it only costs THB490.

Lansley anti acne advanced solution purifying gel cleanser is formulated with an emollient plant extract which is blended with glycolic acid and triclosan, making it an ideal cleanser for those who suffer from acne. Although it is gentle on the skin, it is good at unclogging pores to prevent further breakouts. It costs THB170.00.

In2it boasts one of the best affordable brow-liners you'll find in Bangkok. This Thai brand offers mascaras and browliners, but the latter are the most popular ones for looking natural and being precise.

The brand also boasts a liquid matte lipstick that has been compared to Kylie Jenner's line of liquid matte lipsticks.

Scentio

This brand can also be found in the Beauty Buffet group all over Bangkok. It is famous for its potions for your skin in heavenly scents.

One of its most popular products is the Milk Plus Whitening Q10 facial scrub which is dotted with a nice milky scent. The scrub contains co-enzyme Q10 which has powerful skin cells that nourish and regenerate your skin. The retail price is THB205.00.

Red wine as a weight loss method

Red wine as a weight loss method

Red wine isn't only great paired with cheese and red meat, but it can also help you achieve your weight loss goals. It's not every day that wine lovers hear such gratifying news. After all the caution we hear from authorities and all the negative effects medical authorities tell us, the wine lover community is finally getting some good news. However, those headlines advising “two glasses of wine a day can help you keep the fat away” are not entirely accurate. Just before you fetch the corkscrew and cancel your gym membership, you might want to read the fine print.

Recent research shows that an ingredient in grapes, berries and, yes indeed, red wine can turn excess flab into calorie-burning “brown” fat. Accordingly, a diet that contains the substance resveratrol may help keep the fat away.

Researchers gave mice amounts of resveratrol equivalent to humans consuming 12 ounces of fruit per day. The study found that despite a high fat diet, the mice gained 40% less weight than animals not fed the compound. Researchers believe that the mice changed their excess white fat to active “brown” or “beige” fat which reduces weight gain by burning up calories. A similar effect might be caused by other “polyphenol” chemicals in fruit.

“Polyphenols in fruit, including resveratrol, increase gene expression that enhances the oxidation of dietary fats so the body won't be overloaded,” said lead researcher professor Min Du, from Washington State University, US. “They convert white fat into beige fat which burns lipids (fats) off as head, helping to keep the body in balance and prevent obesity and metabolic dysfunction. We are using resveratrol as a representative for all the polyphenols.”

According to professor Min Du, fruits like blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, grapes and apples are particularly rich in polyphenol.

Although red wines contain resveratrol, they only feature a fraction of the levels found in grapes, said professor Min Du. “Many of the beneficial polyphenos are insoluble and get filtered out during the wine production process,” he explained.

Unfortunately, there's not enough research to prove that red wine can actually help you lose weight. First of all, the study was carried out on mice not humans, and it did not actually involve red wine.

The study was focused on how resveratrol can stimulate the development of brown fat deposits within white fat tissue. Unlike mice and babies, human adults have very little brown fat. It is the accumulation of white fat what eventually leads to obesity, so the study was looking for a way to turn it into calorie-burning brown fat to tackle the problem.

Since researchers found that higher doses of resveratrol fostered the development of brown-fat-like cells within the white fat tissue of mice, they hoped that something similar could take place in humans. As the study was focused on mice, however, we can't know for sure if resveratrol will have the same effect in people.

So before add red wine to your diet, just beware that a standard bottle of 750cl bottle of red wine contains around 570 calories. That is equivalent to two McDonald's burgers.

Adults have little brown fat and it has been recently discovered that white fat contains brown-fat-like cells called “beige” fat cells. Thus, stimulating the development of these beige cells - so called “browning” - could reverse the harmful effects of excess white fat and improve health. The goal of the study was how to stimulate the browning.

On an analysis by Bazian, published on the NHS website, it claimed: “Mouse studies can give an indication of biological processes that may also work in humans, but we are not identical. We don't know that if we were to be given daily resveratrol we would also start developing more brown-fat-like cells in our fat tissue. Even if we did, we don't know whether this would cause weight loss, or reverse obesity.”

The analysis also pointed out that the study didn't use wine specifically: “The mice were not drinking red wine on a daily basis. As one of the lead researchers is quoted in the media, the amount of resveratrol found in wine is a fraction of that present in grapes and berries, as much of the chemical is filtered out during the wine production process. You would gain more resveratrol from eating the grapes and berries themselves than drinking wine - but that makes a much less exciting headline.”

The analysis also pointed out the risks of drinking too much wine. “Wine is also high in calories, which may cancel out any slight theoretical benefit you may gain from trying to convert white fat to brown. A high alcohol intake is also known to be associated with many health risks both in the immediate and long term. The proven risks of drinking too much red wine probably outweigh any possible benefits from trying to convert white fat to brown fat.”

The analysis edited by NHS Choices concluded that the study provides no evidence that drinking red wine will help you lose weight.”

Mindful eating - strategies to lose weight

Mindful eating - strategies to lose weight

With so many new episodes on Netflix, it's hard stray away from the screen when you are eating. This day and age, we all need that sense of connectedness with the rest of the world that technology gives us. Instead of taking off the world and savouring our dinner at the kitchen table, we eat while we do something else. What used to be a ritual that gathered the family around the kitchen table has been replaced by technology.

The problem for weight loss is that our eating habits have changed. Instead of being mindful of what we are eating, savouring every bite, we overeat while watching TV. If you don't focus on your food, it's easy to lose track of the quantity we've eaten and eat even after being satisfied.

Recent studies found that participants who were mindful about what they were eating lost more weight than others who didn't and they even to continued to lose weight afterwards, as they had acquired a habit.

That is why mindful eating is so important to keep the weight off. You might start a diet and exercise for a while to lose weight, but most people who follow a regime gain the weight back when they quit the healthy eating plan.

A programme in the US tells people that they eat what they want and still lose weight if they eat mindfully - this entails thinking only about the enjoyment of their food, away from the distractions of computers, smartphones and televisions.

The programme is called Eat Smart, Move More, Weigh Less, and it consisted in enrolling 80 people, 42 of whom went immediately on to the programme, while the remaining 38 became the control group. The group on the mindfulness programme lost a mean of 1.9 kg over the 15 weeks, while the others lost an average of 300 grams.

“We instruct people to eat the foods that they love, and not give them up, but to eat them in a mindful way,” said Dr Carolyn Dunn from North Carolina State University in the US, one of the authors of the study introduced at the European Congress on Obesity in Porto, Portugal.

The study came up with Mindful Eating Strategies to help people lose weight:

Fill your plate with plant-based proteins, like beans - they are very filling, which will help you avoid overeating.

Try to make meals last at least 20 minutes. Eating slowly helps you be aware of how hungry you are and stop when you are satisfied. It takes a bit of time for your brain to know that your stomach is full. You can have fun out of this by putting down your fork between bites and have smaller servings than you normally would. You can always get more food later if you are really hungry.

Try to find out why you want to eat. Is it because you are hungry or because you are stressed. We tend to opt for fatty food when we are stressed. If that is the case, try to find an alternative to cope with stress like exercising or taking a few deep breaths, or drinking water. Just tell yourself that food is not the answer.

If you really need that treat, then choose something that you will really enjoy and you eat it, savour each bite and stop when you are not enjoying it anymore. “If one of us was going to eat a food that has very high calories, we would tell them to eat on or two bites, but to eat those one or two bites with awareness, so they are getting the most pleasure out of those one to two bites,” Dunn said.

“Other research has shown that those first two bites are associated with the most enjoyment - eating more will certainly give you more calories not not more enjoyment.” She added: “So a chocolate mousse, for example… we would advise them to eat it with mindfulness and with purpose and to enjoy those first few bites.” It's not necessary to waste food, she explained. “We instruct them to share it or take it home for another day or buy it in smaller amounts.”

Don't eat when you are working, reading or watching TV. “Mindfulness is paying attention to your surroundings, being in the present moment,” said Dunn. “Mindful eating is eating with purpose, eating on purpose, eating with awareness, eating without distraction, when eating only eating, not watching television or playing computer games or having any other distractions, not eating at our desks.”

The 10 best wellness retreats in Thailand

The 10 best wellness retreats in Thailand

From nature- immersed spas in Chiang Mai's mountainous rainforest to relaxing spas in secluded beaches, Thailand caters to all every kind of spa lover. Whether you are into pilates and yoga or are looking for a holistic and spiritual retreat, this Southeast Asian country boasts some of the world's top wellness treatments. With culture and history-infused treatments, Thailand has attracted spa lovers from far and wide to its shores for thousands of years.

Boasting unique wellness and transformative treatments paired with affordability, Thailand boasts some of the world's greatest spas and here is a selection:

The Sanctuary

Nestled in the remote jungle of Haad Tien Bay, The Sanctuary is a luxurious world-renowned retreat destination. This spa is particularly famous for its delicious health food, detox programs and world-class yoga instructors.

This Thai spa has attracted famous celebrities, the likes of Kate Moss, Hugh Grant and Elle MacPherson. A regular day at The Sanctuary includes three meals, spa treatments and unlimited use of the steam room, sauna and jacuzzi.

AmanPuri

Located in the touristic island of Phuket, AmanPuri is a stylish and luxurious spa on the coast. Set in a luxurious environment, this spa is perfect to achieve your fitness goals or increase your inner sense of peace and happiness.

Soneva Kiri

Steeped in history and tradition, Sovena Kiri treats their guests with locally inspired inspired treatment as well as Asian healing therapies. From mud massages to Thai herbal baths, silk facials, warm oils of Ayurveda and wellness rituals, this spa offers endless opportunities to pamper yourself. Situated in Koh Kood - one of Thailand's least populated islands - this spa is perfect for those who seek solace, and to enjoy the rejuvenating and unwinding benefits of nature. You can even take a break from you break and take part in activities like going to the outdoor cinema or the observatory. Don't leave without trying the Treepod Dining which will give impress you with royal views of the island.

The Pavana Chiang Mai Resort

Nestled within the lush nature of Mae Ann Valley - an hour from downtown Chiang Mai - the Pavana Chiang Mai Resort spans over 100,000 square metres on the hills of Mae Rim countryside. Combining Lanna architecture with carefully designed wellness programs and comfortable accommodation, The Pavana Chiang Mai Resort is an oasis for the body and the mind.

Offering gentle fasting, juicing and and raw food programmes along with yoga and meditation packages, the resort offers holistic programmes designed to balance the body and mind and prompt a transformation inside and out. The programmes are based on The Five Habits of Longevity - cleansing, eating properly, exercising, breathing and mind purification - and are designed to foster equilibrium within the mind and body. The programmes are also customised to suit each person's needs and conditions.

The resort also houses a restaurant - Radiance - which offers a gourmet raw cooking class and healthy meals made out of fresh fruits and veggies from their garden. Apart from getting pampered, there are other activities you can undertake during this wellness retreat, and they including hiking, cycling and running.

Orion Healing Centre

Located on a white sandy beach in Srithanu Bay on Koh Phangan, Orion healing Centre is the perfect wellness retreat option for thrifty travellers. There you should try the 11-day detox package, which includes accommodation, yoga, Thai massage, fresh coconuts, complete supplements, fresh detox drinks and self-administered colonics. The programme allows you to balance the alkaline in your body and increase your “vital life force energy.” You can also give wellness practices a go, including reiki, craniosacral therapy, chakra balancing, and crystal healing. Orion Healing Centre also features the 11-day Alchemy Retreat, which enables you to get the whole detox package plus reiki healing workshops, meditative breathing sessions, and yoga.

Kamalaya

Nestled in a valley that overlooks the coast of southern Koh Samui, this award-winning sanctuary and holistic is centred around a cave that once served as a place of meditation and spiritual retreat for Buddhist monks. Its location accounts for the resort's particular calming energy.

With a combination of Eastern and Western healing therapies and an environment conceived to foster personal growth and long term healthy transformation, Kamalaya prides itself in being of the best enriching wellness sanctuaries and holistic spa resorts in Thailand. Spa lovers flock to Kamalaya in search of solutions to anything from detox to weight loss and stress and burnout yoga.