Benefits of a Milk Bath

Did you know that bathing is a luxurious way to nourish your skin?  Not only that, but time spent in a hot tub can really give you some quality “me” time. You can relax and unwind from all of the pressures and demands of your busy day.

However,  if you want to get more out of your bath time, you may want to try a milk bath. This bathing tip, used by history’s most legendary beauty queen -Cleopatra, can deliver luminous looking skin. 

The amount of nutrients in milk can seriously benefit your skin. They include amino acids (protein), vitamins, minerals, as well as a specific type of sugar called lactic acid that works as an alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) exfoliator. When you bathe your body in milk, the gentle exfoliate properties go to work, loosening hardened sebum (oily substance that is secreted by the sebaceous glands that help keep the skin and hair moisturized) and dissolving lingering dead skin cells to reveal dewy, radiant skin.

How Can I Make a Milk Bath?

There are many ways to create a thick, and creamy milk bath for your skin. Here are five of the most commonly used milks you can add to your bath to transform it into a spa-style soak:

1. Whole Milk

This classic milk powder offers some of the largest amounts of skin-nourishing vitamins and minerals of any milk. They include Vitamin A, C, D, K, as well as B Complex Vitamins, folate, pantothenic acid, cobalamin, and choline, calcium, potassium, and essential fatty acids of omega-3, and omega-6.

2. Buttermilk

This type of milk powder contains a higher portion of lactic acid than other varieties. As a skin exfoliator, buttermilk also has a slightly more sour fragrance that may offend some people, so you may want to combine this milk powder with fresh herbs or essential oils.

3. Goat’s Milk

This milk powder resembles the natural pH of human skin closer than any other milk. Because goat’s milk is higher in pH, it is considered to be an alkaline substance. With a natural pH level of mother’s milk at 7.4, goat’s milk is far less acidic than cow’s milk powder, a milk with a pH between 6.7 to 6.5. Also a pungent smelling milk, the natural aroma of goat’s milk pairs well with other strong fragrances like lavender. High in Vitamins A, B, and E, goat’s milk also contains approximately three times more beta carotene than whole milk.

4. Coconut Milk

This milk powder quickly transforms your regular bath into a tropical paradise. With a delicious fragrance, and a thick consistency, coconut milk is an ingredient that everyone should use in their milk baths. Keep in mind that this is an ideal vegan alternative for those who prefer a plant-based milk option. This milk is also the only milk bath option that includes a specific type of fatty acid known as medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) to deeply hydrate skin cells.

5. Yogurt Milk

Also known as kefir, this milk has a tart taste but it works wonders on your skin when used to make a milk bath. Containing beneficial bacteria known as probiotics, yogurt milk may help to improve the condition of acne affected skin. Studies have shown that topical application of probiotics helps to kill off harmful bacteria that can worsen acne, as well as reduce inflammatory activity for healthier looking skin.

You can purchase these milks as milk powders online, or simply add them directly into your bath in liquid form. You may even want to make your own. Here is a basic recipe:

Base Recipe
Use this simple base formula to create your own amazing Milk Bath recipes from scratch!

• 2 cups Milk Powder
• 1 cup Oat Flour or 1/4 cup Rice Powder, Fine
• Up to 1/2 cup Honey Powder, Kaolin Clay, Salt, or Corn Starch
• Up to 2 tablespoons Aloe Vera Spray Dried Powder, Coral Calcium, or Herbs
• 1/4 cup Dendritic Salt or Baking Soda with up to 2 teaspoons Essential Oil or Fragrance Oil mixed in

This recipe should be used at a rate of 2 to 4 tablespoons per bath.

* This recipe is from The Natural Beauty Workshop.

Pinterest also contains a number of recipes you might want to check out.

The post Benefits of a Milk Bath first appeared on Eclectic Red Barn.

Linking to these parties: