You already know that milk can be good for your bones, but did you know that it can be good for your skin too? People have been adding milk to their bathwater for centuries as a skin treatment. It’s a quick and easy way to moisturize and soften your skin, and all you have to do is sit back and relax!
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Milk Baths Through The Ages
Legend has it that Cleopatra herself frequently indulged in milk baths! But even if the legend were true, but she wouldn’t have been the only royal woman taking milk baths in those days! Only a few decades after Cleopatra’s death, Pliny the Elder recorded that Poppaea, the wife of Emperor Nero, always traveled with a herd of female donkeys so that she could bathe in their milk. (Seriously!)
Related: 13 Uses For Cornstarch That Go Way Beyond Cooking
The Benefits Of Milk Baths
As impractical as her methods were, it turns out that Poppaea was actually onto something! The natural lactic acid found in milk is an alpha-hydroxy-acid (or AHA). This type of acid gently dissolves proteins to exfoliate dead skin cells, revealing fresher, younger-looking skin underneath. The lactic acid in milk is extremely mild, and the effect is actually quite soothing on dry, itchy skin!
In addition to the exfoliating effects of lactic acid, milk is also rich in vitamins and minerals like vitamin E and zinc. These nutrients can help your skin retain both moisture and elasticity! With all these potential benefits, it’s easy to see why milk has had such staying power as a skin treatment over the centuries.
But you don’t have to spend a fortune on treatments at a fancy spa (or travel around with a herd of donkeys) in order to experience the benefits that milk can have on your skin. It’s quick and easy to mix up your own milk bath mixture at home! And you might even have all the ingredients you need already in your kitchen!
(And speaking of making things at home, you can find more amazing recipes for bath and body concoctions in my eBook At-Home Bath & Body! You can buy it in my shop, or download it for free if you’re an OGT Plus member!)
How To Make Your Own Milk Bath
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Ingredients:
2 cups powdered whole milk
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/2 cup baking soda
10 drops lavender essential oil (optional)
Directions:
- Combine the powdered milk, cornstarch, and baking soda in a large glass container. Put the lid on, then shake the jar until everything is mixed well.
- If you’d like to add some lavender essential oil for added scent and additional skin-soothing benefits, do that at this point. After adding the oil, just put the lid back on the jar and shake again to mix.
- Store the covered jar in a cool, dark place to rest for 24 hours before using. This gives the ingredients time to combine completely.
When you’re ready to use it, add 1-2 cups of your milk bath mixture to your bathtub under hot running water. Then, sit back, relax, and let the milky water works its magic on your skin! :-)
A Few Notes About Powdered Milk:
- This is one time when you should avoid the lowfat option. Use powdered whole milk if you can find it, because more fat means more nourishment for your skin!
- Powdered cow’s milk and powdered goat’s milk are both great choices to use in a milk bath because of their high fat content. But if you’d rather use a non-dairy product, powdered soy milk and powdered coconut milk would both make great alternatives!
What do you like to add to your bathwater?
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