I am a big fan of Bambangan (Mangifera pajang), a seasonal fruit which has been labeled as a vulnerable species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This fruit can be found only on the island of Borneo. It is known as wild mango and quite popular among the Kadazandusuns in Sabah as it is usually made into pickle or cooked with fish (or chicken – I later found this when I was studying in UiTM Sarawak).
Bambangan has this sweet, tangy, and sour flesh, and it has more fibrous than mango. It is quite famous in Borneo especially in Sabah. You can find more information about this bambangan which usually makes Sabahans drool here. I’m not going to post about how to peel, cook, or where to buy this local fruit. Today’s post is all about how to make a Bambangan Facial Mask at home. This idea came up when I was joking with my cousin, Pison (@ropuhanditanakwagu) on Bambangan facial mask.
Why Bambangan? Like the flesh of the mango fruit, Bambangan is also nutritious. Research has shown that Bambangan is loaded with polyphenols, carotenoids, dietary fiber, vitamin C, vitamin E and various beneficial plant compounds. Anyway, there is a need to do more research on this topic because I look forward to have this fruit to be promoted commercially as skincare product, too! Wahai budak-budak Universiti yang sedang mencari topik untuk final semester, kamurang buatlah sikit kajian pasal Bambangan yang hanya ada di Kepulauan Borneo.
Why do I use Ropuhan Di Tanak Wagu’s Bambangan Jam? Why not those freshly peeled off Bambangan? Rather than ‘sacrificing’ my skin with irritant sap that can blister the skin, I would play on the safe side. Since there is only one product of Bambangan Jam in Sabah, I would just want to give it a try. After asking a few questions from my cousin about how he produces it (including the ingredients), I braced myself that this food product is safe for the skin. Some of the people laughed at this idea as they found it is crazy, does not make sense, and ‘Hey! This is food! Why waste it?’. Oh well… Different people have their own different opinions. Anyway, you can read about this Bambangan Jam in my previous post.
Let’s get back to the main subject. The Bambangan facial mask is easy to do. The ingredients are:
- 1 teaspoon of Ropuhan Di Tanak Wagu’s Bambangan Jam, and
- 1 teaspoon Aloe Vera Gel (pure or any brands with 90% above aloe vera gel extract)
The Bambangan Jam contains sugar and citrus. Believe it or not. Sugar can be beneficial especially for your skin. Sugar is a natural humectant and it draws moisture into the skin. If you are using sugar based products, it can help hydrate your skin as well as retain moisture. Sugar also contains natural source of glycolic acid, which is an alpha hydroxy acid. This acid penetrates into the skin and holding the skin cells together which allows cell turnover for a fresher and healthier looking skin.
This DIY Bambangan facial mask helps to clear the pores, and prevent blackheads and pimples as Bambangan (same like mango) is packed with cleansing and astringent properties. It also helps to dissolve excess oils and heal acne scars while providing tons of nourishing benefits.
The Aloe Vera gel has this cooling effects that reduce acne inflammation and assist in healing, removing redness and soothing dry or angry skin. Besides, it helps the skin in retaining its moisture and gives back its radiance. It also reduces the visible wrinkles as well as fine lines on the face, prevents premature ageing by improving the elasticity of skin and repairing skin cells.
Apply the mixture of Bambangan jam and aloe vera gel on the skin for 10 – 15 minutes. Then wash off with warm water, and pat the skin dry. Use twice to thrice a week. Pardon me for not being able to take the photo after using this mask. I will put the result on my Instagram later. Do follow my Instagram @dayverampas for more updates (soon!).
