FACE COOLING POWDER

A novice takes on an artisanal trade

An episode from the series ARTISANS REBOOT

Synopsis

One of the foundations of Southeast-Asian cosmetics is the Bedak Sejuk - roughly translated from Malay into “cooling powder”. In a world filled with complex chemicals, the old ways have been pushed aside waiting for extinction or to be rediscovered by a new generation.

Glenda Han runs a beauty care business in Singapore that promotes natural products. Yang Jing Ming is the acknowledged master of bedak sejuk in Penang. He has been in the trade for the last 30 years, having learnt the art from his mother.

Glenda travels to Penang to discover if she may be able to turn the bedak sejuk into a line she may sell.