There's no doubt that milk is good for your health. According to the American Dietetic Association, consuming dairy products like milk can help you lose weight and boost your body's ability to absorb nutrients. Yet while milk is good for your body's inner workings, it's just as effective for outer beauty, particularly in combating dry, tired skin. Whether you drink it or bathe with it, good old-fashioned milk can be the basis of your personal skin care strategy.
Nutrition
The ADA's updated dietary guidelines specify that adults should consume about 3 cups of milk -- or its equivalent -- each day. This, plus a balanced diet, proper exercise and sleep are essential to the daily upkeep of skin. "Fitness" magazine particularly cites the vitamin A in milk as responsible for enabling skin's ability to produce new cells and slough off old ones. Without it, skin eventually becomes thick, dry and scaly. If you're lactose-intolerant, simply switch to lactose-free milk. According to the ADA, lactose-free milk still contains the same nutrients as regular milk.
Body Bath
Milk is a natural moisturizer and works well in a bath. If you want to somewhat mimic bathing in gallons of pure milk like Cleopatra, add about half a gallon and a few drops of extra virgin olive oil in a warm bath. Surprisingly, milk also exfoliates as it moisturizes, thanks to the lactic acid present in its composition. If you want milk's double-acting properties on dry skin, but don't want to use as much, use powdered milk instead. For a more frugal milk bath, "Best Health" magazine suggests adding 1 cup of powdered milk, plus 1 tbsp. of grape seed oil.
Facial Care
However, the skin on your face is a lot more sensitive than on the rest of your body. You could be one of those people with "combination" facial skin, which may veer from oily to dry, and on different areas of the face, depending on the time of day or season. For a mask that can be used for all skin types and everything in between, combine lemon rind, orange rind, flour, ground almonds, oatmeal, turmeric, warm water and full cream milk, according to a recipe in "Home Health" magazine.
Eye Care
Don't forget the skin around your eyes. That area can also get dry and tired looking, just as much as the rest of your body. To get a more concentrated treatment for dry skin around your eyes, try what "Good Housekeeping" magazine suggests: Soak two chamomile teabags in lightly warmed milk. Lie back, place the soaked bags over each of your eyelids, and relax for about 10 minutes. Gently rinse your entire face with warm water afterward.
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