Here's Why You'll See More Milk in Skincare This Year

Got milk? That’s a question you might find yourself asking this year as you update your beauty routine and make milk a major part of your skincare regimen. From B-Vitamins to alpha hydroxy acids and calcium, the nutrient-dense drink can work wonders when it comes to keeping wrinkles away, clearing up acne, and even moisturizing dry skin. Oh, and the kitchen staple is gentle enough to nourish, calm, and exfoliate even the most sensitive skin without over-drying. 

Who knew the answer to so many of our skincare woes was hiding in our fridge? If you’re ready to reap the skin benefits of this dairy product, read on to find out how you can incorporate milk into your skincare routine and try our favorite DIY beauty hacks for a clean, clear complexion below.

Benefit #1: It’s an Amazing Moisturizer

Look no further than the kitchen if you’re after baby-soft skin, thanks to the major moisturizing properties in milk. Wondering how the same liquid you pour in your morning coffee can benefit your complexion? It’s all thanks to lactic acid, Vitamin B6, and biotin. Lactic acid moisturizes and nourishes while biotin revitalizes cracked, weathered skin and Vitamin B6 keeps skin moisturized and healthy, aiding in new skin cell formation. No wonder it’s rumored that Cleopatra relied on milk baths to keep her skin so soft. 

Luckily, you don’t have to fill up your entire tub to reap the moisturizing benefits of milk. You can easily whip up a nourishing face mask at home to give your complexion the moisture it needs. Simply combine milk, honey, and rose water: 

1. Mix one tablespoon of honey, two tablespoons of raw milk, and one tablespoon of rose water in a small bowl. 

2. Take a clean, dry cotton ball and allow it to soak up the mixture before applying it to your skin. Let the face mask dry before rinsing it off with water.

All out of milk? No problem. Opt for a hydrating face mask with milk or milk products as a primary ingredient, like the DUFT & DOFT Pink Milk Mask Set, to reap the same moisturizing benefits. This rose-scented mask hydrates and softens your skin thanks to nourishing milk extract, ginseng berry, and niacinamide. Leave it on for 20 minutes, then peel it off for dewy, glowing skin. 

Benefit #2: It Cleanses, Too

Not only is milk an amazing moisturizer, but it’s also great as a cleanser. Why? Exfoliating lactic acid works to clear out your pores and washes away acne-causing bacteria that can accumulate on the surface of your skin throughout the day. If you find yourself down to the last drop of your favorite cleanser, you can simply head to the fridge and wash up by rinsing your face with milk:

1. Soak a cotton ball with raw milk, and swipe it over your face in the same way you would apply a micellar cleanser. Gently rub it across your face and neck in a circular motion. Trust us: you’re going to be amazed by how much dirt accumulates on the cotton ball. 

2. Rinse remaining milk residue away with warm water. 

You can also opt for a milk cleanser, like the TULA Super Calm Gentle Milk Cleanser, if you want to wash your face without worrying about irritants that might mess with your complexion. This gentle cleanser is great for all skin types, but it’s especially beneficial for those with sensitive skin as it’s free of fragrances, sulfates, and alcohol. 

Benefit #3: Exfoliate Away

Looking to slough off dead skin cells and want a brighter complexion? Whole milk is all you need. It’s all thanks to lactic acid, which is a powerful alpha-hydroxy acid that contains antimicrobial properties that target and break down dead skin for a baby-soft complexion. This natural exfoliator works wonders on even the most sensitive skin, as it also reduces redness and inflammation caused by eczema and acne without over-drying. The result? Clean, clear skin that’s more radiant than ever before. 

Create your own milk soak at home if you want to gently exfoliate your skin:

1. Simply soak a cotton pad in milk and rub it over your face and neck in a circular motion. 

2. Rinse with cool water. 

Benefit #4: Use it as Spot Treatment in a Pinch

Not only is the lactic acid in milk an amazing cleansing and exfoliating agent, but it’s also helpful when it comes to treating acne, which is why it can work wonders for those with acne-prone or oily skin. Milk has the ability to clear away acne-causing bacteria, all while reducing redness and inflammation that make a new zit seem so noticeable. 

Want to banish your breakout overnight? All you need is milk and flour to create an effective spot treatment that can minimize the appearance of your pimple before morning rolls around. Bonus: this is also a safe, gentle paste that can be applied to cystic acne: 

1. Mix two tablespoons of milk with one tablespoon of flour until you create a paste. 

2. Apply on the pimple using your finger or a Q-tip. 

3. Leave it on overnight and rinse it off in the morning.

Benefit #5: It’s Anti-Aging

Milk is also a secret weapon when it comes to reducing fine lines and other signs of aging. The abundance of Vitamin D that’s found in whole milk promotes skin elasticity and boosts collagen production, all while protecting your skin from free radicals caused by pollution (which can cause premature signs of aging).

It’s no secret that the key to preventing wrinkles begins with moisturizing, and since milk can keep your skin hydrated you can’t go wrong incorporating it into your anti-aging routine. The easiest way to do so? Create a moisturizing mask made of yogurt that’ll leave you looking more refreshed, all while reducing the appearance of wrinkles:

1. Opt for yogurt made with whole milk and apply to your face and neck. Leave on for 20 minutes and rinse off with warm water.

2. Want even more moisturizing anti-aging benefits? Sleep with your yogurt face mask on and rinse it off in the morning for a more radiant, youthful-looking appearance come morning.

Not into DIY? Opt for a skincare product like the SOO AE Donkey Milk Sleeping Mask. This moisturizing face mask is made with donkey's milk, which has even more vitamin C than cow's milk (four times more, to be exact), so it's great for targeting discoloration and fine lines. Wear it overnight and wake up to smooth, hydrated skin come morning.