The benefits of raw milk for our skin

Chocolate, coffee, lemon, are among the ingredients in our kitchens that have positive effects in the beauty routine. Among these, there is milk. Cleopatra understood this over 2,000 years ago. The queen of ancient Egypt used to bathe in donkey milk to have smooth and silky-soft skin. But the practice was also widespread in ancient Rome, so much so that Pliny the Elder wrote in his book Natural History that donkey milk "erases wrinkles on the face, makes the skin more delicate, and preserves its whiteness." Today, that beauty secret has become popular again, thanks to TikTok, where hashtags like #RawMilk have collected millions of views, with creators praising its benefits in both diet and skincare.

What is raw milk?

Raw milk, or unpasteurized milk, is essentially milk that comes directly from the animal and has not undergone the heat treatments commonly used to reduce bacterial load and make it safe, such as pasteurization, which is used to eliminate bacteria, yeast, molds, and improve its shelf life. It can be from any animal: cow, goat, sheep, donkey, or camel.

Why is everyone talking about it on TikTok?

Raw milk is the latest wellness trend on the internet, and its supporters are multiplying on TikTok. Delicate girls, health enthusiasts, and neo-revolutionaries who oppose both intensive farming and the companies producing plant-based substitutes praise its virtues, considering it more delicious, purer, and nutrient-rich than commonly processed milk. Content creators, like Lauryn Bosstick of The Skinny Confidential, recommend it for those who may be lactose intolerant and for Hot girls with irritable bowel syndrome, claiming it is more digestible for the stomach. The idea of raw milk enthusiasts is well summarized by the son of the current Queen of England, Tom Parker Bowles: raw milk has undergone "no pasteurization, homogenization, or standardization, which means it still contains the entire complement of vitamins, minerals, and natural digestive enzymes, providing the maximum delightfully creamy mouthful of pure dairy; rich, sweet, and voluptuously full-bodied." But is it really so? The debate between fans and doctors is quite heated. Experts emphasize that milk pasteurization is one of the great achievements in public health of the 20th century. Raw milk can contain Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Campylobacter, and Listeria, germs that can cause food poisoning and symptoms such as diarrhea, stomach cramps, vomiting, fever, headache, and muscle pain. Or even worse.

Milk, raw and not, in skincare

If drinking raw milk proves to be a controversial choice, introducing this food into our beauty routine might be easier. In ancient times, it was used to keep the skin young and elastic. Today, many skincare products are infused with milk for its moisturizing and nourishing properties, and using it in its pure form is not much different. But if you are skeptical, you can always opt for pasteurized milk; in any case, there are several benefits. Milk, in general, is a natural skin softener and can be soothing, moisturizing, and help defend the skin barrier as it contains proteins, vitamins B, B12, A, D, minerals, especially calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium, and also taurine and creatine. Let's see its positive properties:

Moisturizes the skin

Raw or not, milk is an excellent natural moisturizer due to its fat content. The lipids in milk help repair the skin barrier, retaining moisture, preventing dryness, and keeping the skin elastic and soft like that of a child. Therefore, it proves to be an excellent choice for those with dry skin and conditions like eczema.

Is a natural face cleanser useful against acne

Fans of raw milk consider it a complete face product because it contains nourishing lactose, vital amino acids that strengthen the skin, exfoliating lactic acid, hydrating water, moisturizing fats, and important anti-aging minerals and vitamins. Moreover, it is considered an excellent natural facial cleanser that can gently remove dirt from clogged pores, preventing future blackheads, acne, and other imperfections. In particular, lactic acid cleansing can help reduce inflammation associated with pimples.

Is a gentle exfoliant

The lactic acid in raw milk is a gentle exfoliant. Not only does it remove dead cells, but it also brightens and corrects uneven skin tone. Some even believe it is an unparalleled agent that regulates the production of tyrosine, a hormone that regulates melanin in human skin.

Has anti-inflammatory properties

Raw milk contains anti-inflammatory components like lactic acid that can soothe irritated skin and reduce redness. Some use it to relieve sunburns, applying a cotton ball or soft cloth soaked in fresh milk to the affected area. Milk forms a thin protein coating that protects the skin and alleviates the burning sensation.

Is a natural anti-aging remedy

The vitamin A in milk helps stimulate the production of collagen, thus delaying the signs of aging. It's no coincidence that retinol, a potent anti-aging ingredient, is a derivative of vitamin A. Not to mention that the presence of vitamin D in milk further promotes skin elasticity, while, together with vitamins A and B, it protects against free radical damage.