Are There Benefits to Taking a Milk Bath?

The kitchen provides many ingredients that work well in your beauty routine. Pouring milk into a warm bath can benefit the skin in several ways. Honey, essential oils and other milk bath additives provide additional benefits. Rinsing your skin well after the bath enhances the effects of the milk. Many bath products on the market also contain milk if you prefer a commercial product.

Add milk to your bath for skin benefits. (Image: Fuse/Fuse/Getty Images)

Smooth Skin

A milk bath leaves your skin feeling soft and supple. The fat and protein in the milk provide this immediate benefit in your bathwater. The milk also helps exfoliate the skin for additional softness. The lactic acid in milk helps clean and soften the skin. The milk hydrates the skin, preventing dryness.

Soothes Skin Irritations

Many adults and children experience uncomfortable skin irritations such as eczema. A milk bath may help soothe some of the irritation of eczema and other skin conditions, according to She Radiance Magazine. Check with your health-care provider before trying home remedies for a medical skin condition.

Enhances Relaxation

The soothing feeling of the milk in the water creates an overall relaxed, comfortable feeling. Taking a milk bath at the end of the day can help you improve your skin while helping reduce the stress of your day. Adding essential oils to the milk bath provides additional relaxation qualities. Try lavender, eucalyptus, chamomile or peppermint essential oils, based on your personal preference. Create an overall relaxing environment by dimming the lights, using candles and playing relaxing music in the background. The time alone may refresh your outlook.

Improve Skin's Appearance

In addition to the immediate softness of the skin, milk baths may provide deeper improvements to the skin's appearance. The lactic acid in milk may help remove dead skin cells, leaving the skin smooth and may also encourage skin cell renewal. Milk baths may reduce some of the darkening that naturally occurs as your skin ages.