Many of us know that milk is very nourishing to the body. However, what you may not know is that milk has been used as part of the beauty regimen for beautiful skin since ancient times! In fact, from Egyptian beauty Queen Cleopatra to current celebrities, milk is clearly one of the top favourite ingredients for skin care. Why is that so?
Beauty Benefits of Milk
Moisture: Milk is made up of approximately 85% water, which is why when used in facial treatments, it helps to keep our face hydrated and plump.
Anti-aging: Protein, vitamins and minerals found in milk are said to have anti-aging properties.
Exfoliation: Enzymes found in milk help in shedding dead skin cells, leaving your skin smoother and your skin tone looking more even – a post-facial effect!
Lightening: Owing to its exfoliation properties, milk can help to lighten dark patches of pigmentation on the skin.
Milk as a Superfood?
Paradoxical as it may sound, milk could be one of the rare ingredients that is suitable for topical application rather than consumption if you are talking about skin care.
Research has found that those who drink a pint (approximately 473ml) or more of milk per day are almost 50% more likely to develop spots and pimples than those who rarely or do not drink milk. Furthermore, regular drinkers of skimmed milk seem to get the worst of it.
Not getting the benefits?
Milk is a good facial treatment product that can be used to cleanse and beautify your skin. However, care must be exercised to protect your skin afterwards.
Found in milk is a component called lactic acid which is said to improve your skin’s texture and hydration, giving you that milky clear complexion that many ladies dream of. However, this ingredient is a double-edged sword. It increases sun sensitivity for up to a week after application, meaning that after using milk in your facial treatment(s), it is important to limit your exposure to the sun and slather on your sunblock religiously. Otherwise, not only will you be unable to reap the beauty benefits of milk, your face becomes vulnerable to the damages from the sun. So, as part of the body’s mechanism, melanin production is triggered to shield your skin from these damages and this can in turn lead to skin pigmentation problems gradually.
