Make Cleopatra's Milk Bath

Cleopatra was famous not just for being a queen of ancient Egypt, but also for being remarkably beautiful and smart. She was also well known for taking her milk baths, which she often infused with honey or herbs. She was wise to do so; milk is great for the skin. It is both moisturizing and exfoliating. It leaves skin feeling silky soft, with a healthy glow.

Ingredients

Basic Milk and Honey Bath[1]

  • 1 to 2 cups (240 to 475 milliliters) milk
  • ½ cup (175 grams) honey

Dried Flower Milk Bath[2]

  • 2 cups (250 grams) powdered milk
  • 1 tablespoon (4 grams) dried orange peel
  • 2 teaspoons (1.3 grams) dried lavender flowers
  • 2 teaspoons (1.3 grams) dried rosemary

Essential Oil Milk Bath[3]

  • 1 cup (125 grams) powdered milk (goat or cow)
  • ¼ cup (45 grams) baking soda
  • ¼ cup (55 grams) sea salt or Epsom salt
  • ¼ cup (55 grams) honey crystals
  • ½ cup (40 grams) dry oatmeal, ground into powder
  • ¼ cup (8 grams) dried lavender, ground into a powder
  • 30 drops essential oil (optional)

Steps

Using Milk and Honey

  1. Fill a large jar with 1 to 2 cups (240 to 475 milliliters) of milk. Try to use whole milk. It will be more exfoliating and moisturizing than low-fat or nonfat milk.[1]
  2. Add ½ cup (175 grams) honey for extra moisture. Honey is also antibacterial, and great at reducing acne.
  3. Close the jar and shake it to mix. If necessary, open the jar, and stir the milk and honey with a spoon. You want the honey to dissolve in the milk, and not settle at the bottom.
  4. Plug your bath tub and start filling it with warm water. Avoid using water that is too hot, or it will destroy the beneficial properties of the honey.
  5. Pour the milk and honey mixture under the running water. Once the tub is ful to your liking, turn the water off, and swish it with your hand to combine the milk-and-honey mixture.
  6. Get into the tub, and soak for no more than 20 minutes. Do not use any soap in this bath. When you are done soaking, drain the bath water, and rinse yourself off using soap and fresh water.[4]

Using Dried Flowers

  1. Fill a glass jar with the powdered milk. Try to use the full-fat variety, as it will be more beneficial for your skin than the low-fat or nonfat kind. Do not add water to the milk yet.
  2. Add the dried orange peel, lavender flowers, and rosemary. These will give the bath water a soothing, fragrant aroma. You can also experiment with using other types of flowers and herbs, such as dried rose or lily petals.[5]
  3. Close the jar, and shake it to mix. Keep shaking until all of the ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the powdered milk.
  4. Plug your tub and start filling it with warm water. Avoid using water that is too hot, or it will cook the milk.
  5. Add ½ cup (115 grams) of the mixture to the bath.[2] Store the leftover mixture in a cool, dark place.[6]
  6. Swish your hand through the water to mix. You want the bath water to have an even color. The dried orange peel and flowers may float to the top of the water.
  7. Get into the tub and soak for no more than 20 minutes.[2] Do not use any soap in this bath. When you are done, empty the tub and rinse your body off using soap and fresh water.
    • Consider using a strainer to catch the dried orange peel and flower petals before you empty the tub. This way, you won't risk clogging your drain.

Using Essential Oils

  1. Fill a large, glass jar with the powdered milk, baking soda, and salt. For the salt, you can use sea salt or Epsom salt. For the milk, you can use goat's milk or cow's milk. Which ever milk you decide to use, try to use a full-fat variety. It will be more moisturizing for your skin than the low-fat or nonfat kind.
  2. Add the honey crystals to the jar. You can also use honey powder instead. Using dry honey instead of liquid honey will make it easier to mix into the milk powder.[7] You also won't have to store it in the fridge.
  3. Grind the oatmeal into a fine powder and add it to the jar. You can use a blender or a coffee grinder. This will make the milk bath easier to use, and will prevent your drain from getting clogged.
  4. Grind the lavender flowers into a fine powder and add them to the jar. You can do this using a mortar and pestle, or a coffee grinder. If you don't like lavender, try another type of dried flower, such as chamomile, rose, or lily.[5]
  5. Consider adding 10 to 20 drops of your favorite essential oil for additional fragrance.[8] If you are using more than one type of oil, mix them in a separate bottle first. You can use any type of oil you'd like, but scents that go well with milk and honey baths include: geranium, lavender, mandarin, and ylang ylang.[5]
  6. Close the jar, and shake it to mix. Keep shaking until all of the ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the milk powder.
  7. Plug your tub and fill it with water. Avoid using water that is too hot, or you will ruin the beneficial properties of the honey.
  8. Add a few tablespoons to ½ cup (115 grams) of your mixture under the running water. Store any leftover mixture in a cool, dry place. If needed, give the water a gentle swish with your hand, to help mix the powder in better.
  9. Get into the tub and soak for no more than 20 minutes. Don't use soap during this bath. When you are done, drain the tub, and rinse yourself off with soap and fresh water.
    • To get the most out of the bath's fragrance, consider closing the bathroom door so that the aromas don't escape.

Tips

  • Milk baths are great for dry, flaky skin. They are moisturizing and exfoliating, and will leave you skin feeling soft and smooth.[9]
  • Whole milk is better for your skin than low-fat or nonfat milk.[6]
  • Experiment with other types of milk, such as goat, rice, soy, or coconut milk.[6]
  • Experiment with other types of powdered milk, such as: goat, buttermilk, or coconut.[7]
  • Milk baths are considered to be safe for the lactose intolerant, as you won't be ingesting the milk.[6]
  • Consider letting the milk reach room temperature before adding it to your bath water. Cold milk may lower the temperature too much.[10]
  • After you are done soaking, use soap and water to get rid of any odor-causing milk residue. Don't let the milk dry on your skin.

Warnings

  • Don't stay in the water for more than 20 minutes, or your skin will get chapped.
  • Avoid using too-hot water, as it will destroy the beneficial properties of the honey.
  • Limit your bath to 10 to 15 minutes if you have eczema.[9]

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 http://www.crunchybetty.com/5-relaxing-rejuvenating-bath-recipes-perfect-alternatives-to-bubbles
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 http://teachsoap.com/2013/08/07/cleopatras-milk-bath/
  3. ↑ http://www.iamnotthebabysitter.com/cleopatras-milk-honey-bath/
  4. ↑ http://www.herbhedgerow.co.uk/milk-natural-beauty-throughout-history/
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 http://www.ajsnaturalbeautyblog.com/2016/02/cleopatras-milk-bath-recipe-diy.html
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2013/08/treat-yourself-to-a-luxurious-homemade-milk-bath.html
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 http://www.naturalbeautyworkshop.com/my_weblog/2011/06/making-powdered-milk-baths.html
  8. ↑ http://myfrugaladventures.com/2016/01/homemade-lavender-milk-bath/
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 http://www.flawlessprogram.com/calming-milk-bath-dry-cracked-skin/
  10. ↑ http://www.bustle.com/articles/90189-i-bathed-in-milk-because-history-and-my-editor-told-me-to-and-because-im-a

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