Luckily, there is one DIY practice that’s not only safe but actually beneficial for those with dry or sensitive skin. This is one relaxing spa-like experience you can trust to help your skin and make you feel great. Enter, milk baths. A milk bath is just as it sounds—a warm bath of water that you pour milk into. This can be liquid milk or powdered, and which kind of milk can vary, though donkey milk was the main player in historical milk baths. In modern times, many people take milk baths to soothe dry or irritated skin. Especially when it comes to skin conditions like eczema. Any practice that will help moisturize and ease inflammation is generally worth a shot, right? But let’s hear what the derms have to say. We know that gently exfoliating the skin and replenishing hydration are two important factors when it comes to healthy skin aging—which is probably why these baths have been associated with skin aging throughout history. Plus, the act of taking a bath in general can be beneficial for the soul, especially if you opt for a spiritual bath. While these won’t have practical skin benefits, sometimes doing something for the sake of enjoyment is enough to add it to your beauty routine. (Listen, beauty should be fun.) For these rituals, you’ll focus on ambience and intention—think relaxing music, essential oils, chakra work, and taking a moment to reflect. You can read the 101 on spiritual baths here, if you’re curious. The fats in milk will help to moisturize your skin, which is essential to pair with gentle exfoliation. When purchasing cow’s milk, try to stick with ethically sourced and eco-friendly milk brands when possible. Or, opt for dairy alternatives to be sure—those to follow. When your skin’s microbiome is in a healthy state, you’ll have the ability to fight inflammation, protect the skin from environmental stressors, and protect yourself from infection—to a certain extent, of course. If possible, try to use raw goat milk with few to no preservatives, as preservatives often kill the probiotics that make goat milk so beneficial for topical use. And just as with any dairy milk, do your best to purchase from ethical and eco-friendly brands when possible. What’s more, “It is classified by the FDA as a skin protectant,” she notes. A few specific benefits all backed by research include: And don’t worry: You don’t have to fill the bath with all milk either (that would be a lot of milk to purchase, after all). Most experts recommend adding 1 to 2 cups to a full tub. You can even look up sound baths to call upon the powers of sound healing—you can read more about that here. You can opt to rinse with water only or use a moisturizing body wash. If you’re using animal milk, the latter option may be better to help rid your skin of the scent. Not sure where to start? Here are our top clean and natural body lotions for your browsing pleasure.
