For dry skin or sunburns, nothing is quite as soothing as a milk bath. Lactic acid works as an effective exfoliant, as it dissolves dead skin for a smoother look. Lactic acid is also a humectant, notes the American Academy of Dermatology. That means that it attracts moisture to the surface of your skin so your skin stays hydrated long after your milk bath. Try a formula of milk mixed with oatmeal and a few additives to create a hydrating bath to soothe your skin.
Step 1
Mix together 3 cups of powdered milk, 1/4 cup of oatmeal and a 1/3 cup of cornstarch. You can also add in extras, like a 1/4 cup dried orris root, or a 1/3 cup of almond meal for better scent, notes PioneerThinking.com.
Step 2
Store the bath additive mixture in an airtight container. When you're ready for your bath, scoop out a half cup of mixture and place it in the middle of a washcloth or small square of muslin.
Step 3
Tie the washcloth or muslin around the mixture. Then, hang the small bag that you've made from the faucet. Turn on the water and make sure it is streaming through the bag. This will slowly add the mixture to your bath and diffuse it through the bath.
Step 4
Test the water and make sure it's comfortable for you. When the water is at the desired level, turn off the water and prick a vitamin E capsule with a pin over the water. Gently squish the capsule so the contents run into the bath for even more nourishment.
Step 5
Step carefully into the bath, swishing the water to disperse the vitamin E capsule. If the washcloth hanging from the faucet still has milk bath inside, drop it into the water and swish it around. Stay in the milk bath for your desired length of time. Note that the bath may be slippery, so grip the sides of the tub when entering and exiting the bath.
Step 6
Pat your skin dry and apply a moisturizer directly after your bath. Since the lactic acid acts as a humectant, it will help moisture absorb into the skin easily for hydration.
Step 7
Wash the washcloth or muslin immediately, as leaving wet milk in the cloth will cause it to smell, warns MotherNature.com.
Things You'll Need
- Powdered milk
- Oatmeal
- Cornstarch
- Vitamin E capsule
- Washcloth
- String
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