This wintry season, as snowy weather encroaches, many of us are left with tight, flaky, itchy, dry, and generally peeved skin. The blustery conditions force us to seek the cozy confines of our homes, and offer the ideal moment to offer our skin some much-needed love. And there is no greater symbol of soothing comfort than that of warm milk.
Milk baths have been a sought-after indulgence since earliest recorded history. Cleopatra, known in part for her luminous skin, bathed daily in donkey milk and honey. Poppaea, wife of Nero, the last Roman emperor, “was said to have travelled with five hundred asses to ensure a constant milk supply” for her baths. In sixteenth century France, Diane de Poitiers, Henry II’s mistress, “was famous for her luxurious spa complex…and for her extravagant indulgences, including drinking gold and bathing in milk.” In the 19th century, European nobles thronged to “whey” spas to enjoy the beautifying and healing virtues of milk-centric balneotherapy.
While the positive effects of milk baths are apparent throughout history, we now know the science behind their potency. First, it’s imperative to understand the primary function of skin: it protects us from the external environment. Milk, including coconut milk, contains lactic acid, the gentlest of alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), which increases epidermal, as well as dermal, firmness and thickness. Essentially, it strengthens the barrier between our bodies and external nasties, such as microbial pathogens. Lactic acid also devours dead skin cells, revealing glowing skin. In addition, milk contains fat, which provides the skin with a moisturizing treat. Coconut milk is particularly rich in fat, which is why it is a key ingredient in Beauvivo’s Relaxation Milk Bath.
Beauvivo’s Relaxation Milk Bath is a unique and luscious mix of USDA-certified organic coconut milk, colloidal oatmeal, and relaxing essential oils. The use of colloidal oatmeal as a soothing anti-inflammatory agent has as storied a history as milk. Its use dates back to 2000 B.C.; however, its efficacy is still touted. In 2003, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration “officially approved colloidal oatmeal as an effective ingredient to treat skin ailments, including eczema, psoriasis, and rashes.” While ingredients such as coconut milk and colloidal oatmeal nurture the skin, the inclusion of Epsom salts in Beauvivo’s formula relieves aches in the joints and muscles beneath.
Beauvivo’s Relaxation Milk Bath also comes in scented and non-scented varieties to suit all tastes. For those who enjoy the benefits of aromatherapy, Beauvivo includes both lavender and rosemary essential oils, which both boast anti-inflammatory properties.
The winter season is notoriously hard on the mind and body, so add a scoop, or two, or even three, of Beauvivo’s Relaxation Milk Bath to your bath water, and let its healing warmth envelop you.
Sources:
“Colloidal Oatmeal Benefits for the Skin.” www.tatcha.com/tatcha-institute/colloidal-oatmeal-benefits-for-the-skin/. Accessed 21 Dec. 2017.
Jeong, Ji Hye, Lee, Chang Y., and Dae Kyun Chung. “Probiotic Lactic Acid Bacteria and Skin Health.” Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, vol. 56, no. 14, 2016, pp. 2331-2337.
Martin, Meredith. Dairy Queens: The Politics of Pastoral Architecture form Catherine de Medici to Marie Antoinette. Harvard University Press, 2011.
Pampalone, Luciana, Foley, Tricia, and Leslie George. “Pampering with Milk.” Victoria, vol. 12, no. 3, 1998, pp. 38-41.
Smith, W.P. “Epidermal and Dermal Effects of Topical Lactic Acid.” Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, vol. 35, no. 3, 1996, pp. 388-391.