What Are The Benefits Of Milk Baths? How-To Tips From Pros + FAQ

Luckily, there is one DIY practice that's not only safe but actually beneficial for those with dry or sensitive skin. This is one relaxing spa-like experience you can trust to help your skin and make you feel great. Enter, 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.

The benefits of milk baths vary depending on the milk source. For animal milk baths, the benefits come from a blend of ingredients. "Milk contains lactic acid, which is an alpha-hydroxy acid that also has humectant properties—that means that it can hydrate the skin and gently exfoliate to soften and smooth the skin," board-certified dermatologist Hadley King, M.D., tells mbg.

For these rituals, you'll focus on ambiance and intention—think relaxing music, essential oils, chakra work, and taking a moment to reflect. You can read the 101 on spiritual baths here, if you're curious.

As we mentioned, milk baths can use all kinds of milk—both animal and plant-based. There's a range of benefits to each, so keep reading to find out which one might be best for you:

The fats in milk will help to moisturize your skin, which is essential to pair with gentle exfoliation. When buying 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.

If possible, try to use raw goat milk with few 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 buy from ethical and eco-friendly brands when possible.

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

You can either buy your own oat milk or make it at home.

Coconut milk is rich in fats, so it will help to soothe irritated skin and add a thin coat of hydration to the skin while you're bathing. If you want to supercharge your coconut milk bath, add a bit of coconut oil as well—as it's been shown to improve skin barrier function in research6.

Brown rice in particular is rich in amino acids7—which can improve texture8, leaving your skin smoother and softer to the touch. Rice milk also contains vitamin D. When applied topically, vitamin D acts as a minor photoprotector and helps speed up wound healing9.

To get the most out of your milk bath, you'll want to do more than just sit in it. Remember the concept of a spiritual bath we mentioned earlier? Now it's time to call upon that practice. Here's how to DIY a dreamy, relaxing milk bath:

And don't worry: You don't have to fill the bath with all milk either (that would be a lot of milk to buy, after all). Most experts recommend adding 1 to 2 cups to a full tub.

To elevate your bath experience, add some additional ingredients. These could include:

You'll want to have a beverage ready by your bath so you don't have to get out mid-session. You can sip on a soothing chamomile tea, some warm water with lemon, or whatever other beverages make you feel comfortable and at peace.

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

Now you'll want to set your intention. Do you want to reflect on any current situations taking up space in your mind? Do you want to practice gratitude? Maybe you simply want to relax and try to quiet your mind. Whatever it is, try to make it clear and come back to it throughout your bath.

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.

RELATED: Spiritual Baths: What They Are, Cleansing Ingredients + More

Milk baths are great for so many reasons, but like anything in skin care, they do come with a list of cautions. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Having dry or sensitive skin can make you feel like there are no safe DIY skin care experiences to try out—however, milk baths are one safe practice you can add to the list. Even if you don't have sensitive or dry skin, milk baths can be beneficial for anyone. Benefits range depending on the type of milk. In order to get the most out of your bath, call upon intention setting and embrace extra ambience factors like a calming beverage or healing sounds. Not sure if you have sensitive skin or not? Check out this story to determine your skin type first.