Wish to drink milk for stronger bones and enamel? Make it part of your skincare routine too, as there are various milk tub advantages.

If somebody asks you a few milk tub, you’ll most likely consider Queen Cleopatra of historical Egypt. It’s believed that she used milk baths for softer, smoother pores and skin. It might be only a fantasy, however taking milk baths could also be good to your pores and skin. Milk accommodates lactic acid that will assist to take away useless pores and skin cells. It might additionally present hydration and make your pores and skin gentle. Milk baths have advantages for pores and skin, however they will not be for everybody. Folks with delicate pores and skin have to be extra cautious, as a milk tub can result in pores and skin irritation. So, do a patch check earlier than taking the plunge.

What’s a milk tub?

A milk tub entails including milk, or milk-based merchandise, to bathwater to enhance pores and skin well being. “The lactic acid in milk acts as a gentle exfoliant, whereas the fat and proteins moisturise the pores and skin,” says aesthetic doctor and cosmetologist Dr Karuna Malhotra. You should utilize entire milk, coconut milk, or goat’s milk to organize a milk tub. Human breast milk can also be an choice, however there’s solely proof for infants. Throughout a research revealed within the Vitamins journal in 2019, the topical anti-inflammatory results of human breast milk helped within the remedy of pores and skin issues, comparable to diaper dermatitis in infants.

You should utilize coconut milk to your milk tub. Picture courtesy: Freepik

What are the advantages of milk baths?

Listed below are among the advantages of milk baths:

1. Exfoliation

Milk is a dairy product that consists of lactic acid, a sort of alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). “This acid will help to softly exfoliate the pores and skin by eradicating useless pores and skin cells and inspiring cell turnover,” says the knowledgeable. This course of could make the floor of the pores and skin easy. In contrast to mechanical exfoliants like scrubs, lactic acid exfoliates chemically. This pure exfoliation will help cut back the looks of tough pores and skin, and uneven pores and skin tone.

2. Hydration

Milk, particularly entire milk, is wealthy in fat and proteins that may assist to deeply hydrate and nourish the pores and skin. Hundred grams of entire milk has 3.28 g of protein and three grams of fat, as per the US Division of Agriculture. The fat can create a barrier on the pores and skin that may assist to retain moisture and forestall transepidermal water loss (TEWL), which is when moisture escapes from the pores and skin, leaving it dry and irritated. The proteins and nutritional vitamins in milk (comparable to nutritional vitamins A, D, and B12) can additional assist to revive and keep the pores and skin’s hydration ranges. This deep hydration will help enhance pores and skin elasticity, leaving it feeling gentle, easy, and supple after a milk tub.

3. Soothing

Milk baths have a pure calming impact on irritated or infected pores and skin as a result of anti-inflammatory properties of milk. Folks with sunburn could profit from milk baths, which will help to scale back redness, and irritation. “The pure fat in milk can present a protecting layer that may soothe broken pores and skin, whereas lactic acid can gently exfoliate with out aggravating irritation,” says the knowledgeable.

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4. Softening

Lactic acid makes cell turnover occur quick, and so, can help wholesome, easy pores and skin, as per analysis revealed within the Molecules journal in 2018. One of many rapid and noticeable advantages of a milk tub is the way in which it makes your pores and skin really feel softer. The pure emollients in milk, significantly the fat, coat the pores and skin and lock in moisture, resulting in easy and gentle pores and skin. When the pores and skin is hydrated and moisturised correctly, it turns into extra resilient, much less susceptible to cracking or irritation, and feels smoother to the contact. Common milk baths can enhance general pores and skin texture, making it really feel gentle.

5. Brightening

The light exfoliation supplied by the lactic acid in milk helps to do away with useless pores and skin cells and reveal a extra radiant layer of pores and skin beneath. “This pure course of can enhance pores and skin tone and provides the pores and skin a brighter, and extra even look,” says Dr Malhotra.

6. Anti-ageing

Milk has smoothing, soothing, and anti-ageing results, as per analysis revealed within the Molecules journal in 2021. “Milk’s exfoliating properties can have an anti-ageing impact by selling cell regeneration and stimulating the manufacturing of collagen, which is the protein wanted for conserving the pores and skin agency,” says the knowledgeable.

A woman taking a milk bath
Milk tub has advantages for pores and skin. Picture courtesy: Adobe inventory

Tips on how to take a milk tub?

Right here’s a step-by-step information to taking a milk tub:

  • Fill your bathtub with heat water, however not too scorching, as excessively scorching water can dry out your pores and skin. The temperature needs to be snug sufficient to chill out in, however light sufficient to keep away from damaging your pores and skin’s moisture barrier.
  • Add one to 2 cups of milk into the water. You should utilize varied kinds of milk, relying in your choice.
  • If you need, you’ll be able to add a tablespoon of honey to spice up the moisturising results, as honey is a pure humectant.
  • For delicate or itchy pores and skin, colloidal oatmeal could be added.
  • Enter the bathtub and soak for 15 to twenty minutes. Whereas soaking, gently therapeutic massage your pores and skin to permit the lactic acid within the milk to exfoliate useless pores and skin cells, and the fat and proteins to nourish and hydrate the pores and skin.
  • After soaking, rinse off with clear, lukewarm water to take away any milk residue from the pores and skin.
  • Gently pat your pores and skin dry after rinsing, relatively than rubbing it, to take care of the moisturised, gentle feeling that the milk tub supplies.
  • Observe it up with a mild moisturiser to lock in hydration and preserve your pores and skin gentle.

What are the unwanted effects of milk baths?

A milk tub could be a helpful skincare remedy that may depart your pores and skin feeling easy, and hydrated. However there could also be a couple of unwanted effects:

  • Folks with dairy allergic reactions may expertise pores and skin reactions comparable to redness, itching, or rashes.
  • Milk fat can doubtlessly clog pores, particularly for these susceptible to zits or oily pores and skin.
  • Extended soaking in milk could improve the chance of yeast infections as a result of sugar content material in milk.
  • Some folks with extremely delicate pores and skin could discover the lactic acid too harsh, resulting in irritation.

FAQs

1. How lengthy must you keep in a milk tub?

The advisable time to remain in a milk tub is round 15 to twenty minutes. This length permits your pores and skin to soak up the helpful vitamins from the milk with out overexposure, which may dry out your pores and skin. Soaking in water for too lengthy can weaken your pores and skin’s barrier, inflicting the pores and skin to lose moisture. Throughout the 15 to 20-minute window, the lactic acid within the milk works to softly exfoliate the pores and skin, eradicating useless cells. The proteins and fat additionally assist lock in hydration, whereas nutritional vitamins and minerals nourish the pores and skin.

2. Do it’s essential rinse off after a milk tub?

Sure, it is very important rinse off with lukewarm water after a milk tub. Whereas the milk supplies hydration and exfoliation, any residue left in your pores and skin after bathing can clog pores, particularly if in case you have delicate or acne-prone pores and skin. Milk accommodates fat, sugars, and proteins that may grow to be sticky or film-like on the pores and skin if not rinsed correctly, doubtlessly resulting in breakouts or irritation. Additionally, rinsing helps to keep away from any disagreeable odor which may develop from milk left on the pores and skin.

3. Can I bathe with milk on a regular basis?

Sure, you’ll be able to go for a milk tub on a regular basis. Whether or not you’ve dry or delicate pores and skin, a milk tub could be a easy but indulgent approach to enhance your pores and skin well being. But when it causes pores and skin irritation, attempt to cut back the frequency of milk baths.