Goat Milk: Skincare Ingredient Highlight For Hydrated, Soft Skin

December 2, 2021

Try Goat Milk to Soften & Hydrate Your Skin

What do you think of when you hear of “goat milk”? Perhaps bottles of goat milk yogurt or kefir stocked alongside other milk alternatives at a gourmet store or neatly packaged bar soaps on display as you walk through a farmer’s market? You might even imagine the distinct bleating of baby goats on a farm as they trot past bundles of hay and approach you for a treat. But when it comes to skincare, goat milk is probably one of the underrated ingredients you’d think of using for soft, supple, and radiant skin.

Beekman 1802 is one of the many brands known for goat milk

Not convinced yet? Here’s a breakdown of this unusual ingredient.

What is it?

Goat milk is from, you guessed it, goats! They’re collected straight from the goat as one would collect milk from a cow and used as the main ingredient (typically in place of good ol’ water) for making bar soaps, lip balms, and other skincare products.

You can find goat’s milk listed as “Caprae Lac” or “goat milk powder” in the ingredients list. Some products can also include the following ingredients alongside goat milk such as:

Lactose
Colostrum
Milk protein
Lactic acid

Benefits of Goat Milk

The reason why this ingredient is so beloved is that the benefits are endless:

Goat’s milk has humectant properties and is naturally rich in probiotics, amino acids, fatty acids, and triglycerides which can help leave your skin soft and moisturized.

It’s also jam-packed with vitamins A, B, C, D, and E, as well as lactic acid, an alpha-hydroxy acid for gently sloughing away dead skin cells. Lactic acid is known for providing moisture to the skin in addition to exfoliating and can also boost ceramide production!

Note the colostrum ( also known as the first milk produced by mammals after giving birth) which is responsible for skin generation. If you have acne or fine lines, this can help stimulate collagen production and wound healing.

The pH level of goat’s milk closely resembles our skin’s natural pH level. This will help strengthen your skin’s barrier and leave it feeling comfortable.

For acne-prone, red, or irritated skin, goat’s milk has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties and a fat molecule that helps to calm inflammation and tone down redness. It’s perfect for treating post-acne marks and post-popped pimples!

And as a bonus fact, this fat molecule is also responsible for helping your body digest goat’s milk when you ingest it. So if you’re usually intolerant of cow’s milk and can get behind the distinct taste of goat’s milk, perhaps this could be your next milk alternative!

Is it suitable for my skin type?

Goat milk is a fantastic source of nutrients and can be beneficial for all skin types. It’s particularly great for dry, sensitive, itchy, irritated, and even acne-prone skin. If you also find your eczema, rosacea, psoriasis, or dermatitis flaring up at this time, goat’s milk is a perfect ingredient for getting that relief!

When should I use it?

Since goat milk is a very gentle ingredient, it’s great for use in your morning and nighttime routines.

Do not mix with…

Goat’s milk can work well with just about any active ingredient, so you’re welcome to layer on a retinol or vitamin c serum if you wish!

Does it have any side effects?

Goat milk is generally tolerable for all skin types, including sensitive skin. Still, it may not be suitable for anyone who is allergic, cannot tolerate lactose, or is highly lactose intolerant.

And a quick note for those with a strong sense of smell – since many products use pure goat milk, you might notice an off-putting milky scent upon application. Don’t worry since the smell dissipates after absorbing into your skin.

If you still find the smell intolerable, you can opt for scented products or use other skin-soothing ingredients instead.

Any insider tips?

To make the best use out of goat milk skincare, try them in their purest form! Whenever possible (especially if you have eczema and sensitive skin), you can consider investing in fragrance-free goat milk products as long as you can tolerate the natural milky scent.

You can find the highest concentration of goat’s milk in serums. They can be especially beneficial when combined with ceramides.

Face cleansers and facial soaps offer a very gentle cleanse and leave your skin feeling clean, comfortable, and super soft.

Moisturizers, body butters, and hand creams are excellent for nourishing dry and compromised skin everywhere. Do feel free to slather them everywhere – your skin will thank you!