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If you haven’t taken a milk bath before, the concept may seem strange at first. But this ritual is anything but new. In fact, some historians note that ancient Roman societies and Cleopatra used to frequent milk baths for the healthy aging skin benefits (don’t worry, more on that to follow). 

A milk bath is just as it sounds—a warm bath of water that you pour milk into. This can be liquid milk or powdered, and which kind of milk can vary, though donkey milk was the main player in historical milk baths. 

In modern times, many people take milk baths to soothe dry or irritated skin. Especially when it comes to skin conditions like eczema. Any practice that will help moisturize and ease inflammation is generally worth a shot, right? But let’s hear what the derms have to say.

“Milk contains proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and lactic acids,” Bulzing says. However in order to reap the maximum benefits from a cow’s milk bath, be sure to use full-fat milk rather than skim. 

The fats in milk will help to moisturize your skin, which is essential to pair with gentle exfoliation.  When purchasing cow’s milk, try to stick with ethically sourced and eco-friendly milk brands when possible. Or, opt for dairy alternatives to be sure—those to follow. 

Goat milk tends to deliver a more sour taste, thanks to the rich probiotic content1. While this may not necessarily be a major plus for consumption, it is a dream for your skin—as these probiotics will feed your skin’s microbiome.

When your skin’s microbiome is in a healthy state, you’ll have the ability to fight inflammation, protect the skin from environmental stressors, and protect yourself from infection—to a certain extent, of course. 

If possible, try to use raw goat milk with little to no preservatives, as preservatives often kill the probiotics that make goat milk so beneficial for topical use. And just as with any dairy milk, do your best to purchase from ethical and eco-friendly brands when possible. 

The best alternative milk to bath in is certainly oat milk—especially if you’re using colloidal oats. “Oatmeal has been used for centuries as a soothing agent to relieve itch and irritation associated with various dry skin conditions,” King says. 

What’s more, “It is classified by the FDA as a skin protectant,” she notes. A few specific benefits all backed by research include: 

First things first, you have to choose your milk. Scan the benefits listed above to find one that resonates with your goals and preferences. Remember—you don’t have to use liquid milk if you don’t want to. Any sort of powdered milk will do as well. 

And don’t worry: You fill the bath with all milk either (that would be a lot of milk to purchase, after all). Most experts recommend adding one to two cups to a full tub.

2.

Add additional ingredients. 

• Flower petals (fresh or dried) for ambiance. 
• Essential oils for aromatherapy (unless you have inflammatory skin conditions or are otherwise sensitive to EOs). 
• Fresh eucalyptus for aromatherapy. 
• Hydrating bath oils for extra skin conditioning (coconut, olive, grapeseed, etc.). 
• A bath bomb (DIY or store-bought).

3.

Get your beverage ready. 

4.

Turn on soft music or relaxing sounds. 

To really encourage relaxation, you’ll want to have all of the senses covered—including sound. Turn on your favorite relaxing music playlist or opt for nature sounds if that’s more your vibe. 

You can even lookup sound baths to call upon the powers of sound healing—you can read more about that here. 

“The coat [of milk] on the skin needs to be rinsed off,” Bulzing says. While your skin may absorb some of the nutrients from the ingredients in your bath, you’ll want to make sure the excess is fully rinsed off of your skin. 

You can opt to rinse with water only or use a moisturizing body wash. If you’re using animal milk, the latter option may be better to help rid your skin of the scent. 

7.

Hydrate to seal in the moisture. 

Whether you’re taking a milk bath or an everyday shower, post-rinse hydration is essential. Look for barrier-nurturing ingredients like ceramides, peptides, shea butter, coconut oil, etc.

Not sure where to start? Here are our top clean and natural body lotions for your browsing pleasure. 

• If you have eczema, don’t use essential oils in your bath. Keep all ingredients fragrance-free. 
• If you’re prone to vaginal infections, check with your doctor before taking a milk bath as some ingredients may impact your vaginal pH. 
• If you have open cuts or wounds, proceed with caution as some milk and additional ingredients may irritate an open wound. 
• Never bathe in steaming hot water, especially if you have eczema or sensitive skin as it can disrupt your skin microbiome.