Dry Winter Skin Milk Bath Remedy

Spring is finally here and I am so happy to feel the warm sun coming in my window! I’ve started to think about sprucing up our back deck in  preparation for enjoying those long and warm days, soaking up the sun and drinking iced tea with friends & family. But I’m also realizing what a beating my skin took over the past few months of cold weather! I don’t know about you, but my skin is DRY and in desperate need of some type of moisturizing treatment. 

Several years ago, in our homeschool studies, my kids and I were studying the ancient Egyptians. We learned a little about Cleopatra, and how she was believed to bathe in milk every single day! Cleopatra is known as one of the most beautiful women in history, but did you know she was one of the most brilliant women in history as well? In fact, the image of her as a beautiful seductress is thought to have just been an image of her painted by Roman adversaries who felt threatened by such a strong and bright woman! So, while I believe she probably was an attractive person, there was much more to her than beauty. She spoke several languages, was a cunning businesswoman, was considered a scientist & mathematician among scholars, and wrote several books – including medical texts! Such a shame THIS hasn’t been portrayed in the movies depicting her life. All of that to say, if Cleopatra really did bathe in milk on a daily basis, I think maybe I should give it a try too.  

From what I’ve read, Cleopatra used fermented milk for her baths. Which makes total sense to me, for the added probiotics our bodies are so desperate for.  For this, I would recommend buying ORGANIC, grass-fed Kefir for your bath – and if you can find RAW kefir that’s even better. I haven’t tried this yet – but you better believe I’m heading to my local Earthfare today to pick some up! The beating our skin takes from the constant attack of chemicals and toxins in the air, and almost everything we touch, is unfathomable. My thinking is, if we know probiotics are vital to the health of our gut – basically our internal “skin” – it’s just as vital to the health of our outer skin.  And we know the skin is the largest organ on the body,  and it’s going to soak up those microorganisms for our inner bodies as well!  

If you don’t have access to Kefir, or would rather not use it, milk is great too! Just make sure it’s ORGANIC whole milk. I really can’t stress the need for organic enough – non-organic milk provides very little benefit for drinking or bathing purposes, and is loaded with hormones that make our bodies SICK, and unhealthy. If you prefer vegan, Coconut milk is also an excellent option and would give your bath a nice tropical feel. 

So, WHY is a milk bath so great for our skin? Why did Cleopatra feel the need to soak herself in it every single night?! Here are several reasons I’ve found:

LACTIC ACID – The lactic acid found in milk is called alpha-hydroxy-acid (AHA). This type of acid gently dissolves proteins to exfoliate dead skin cells – leaving us with softer, younger looking skin. AHA can also possibly provide gentle relief from itchy, irritated skin. 

VITAMINS – Vitamins D, K, A, C, B-Complex Vitamins, calcium, choline, folate, potassium, and the essential fatty acids omega-3, and omega-6. 

PROBIOTICS – When using fermented milk, like Kefir or even plain yogurt, you are filling your bath with happy bacteria that our bodies today are significantly lacking. 

MCTS – When using Coconut Milk we have the added benefit of magnificent medium-chain fatty acids (MCT’s) aka – a powerful, moisturizing super hero!

For even MORE added benefit and make your milk bath extra luxurious, add honey! Honey has it’s own superhero healing powers, and is a perfect addition to a dry skin healing bath. I recommend heating up about 1-2 cups of water on the stove, and dissolving 1/2 – 1 cup of honey into the hot water. Then add the mixture to your bathtub right before you climb in.

If you’re familiar with dry brushing, this would be an excellent bath to do a quick dry brush before getting in. It will begin the exfoliation process, and prepare your skin for receiving all those glorious benefits. If you don’t have a brush, even a rough washcloth can help. And remember to always brush toward the heart to promote healthy circulation.

Finally, here is the recipe I recommend using:

First – dry brush!

2-4 cups you choice of milk (powdered whole milk is also fine!)

1 cup baking soda

1-2 cups warm honey/water mixture

8-10 drops your choice essential oil (optional, but I like lavender or rose for this bath)

So channel YOUR inner Egyptian Queen, and see how amazing your skin feels!

Happy bathing! Love, Melanie

PS – I found this interesting list of little-known facts about Cleopatra, in case your inner History nerd was piqued as well 🙂 https://www.history.com/news/10-little-known-facts-about-cleopatra