Coconut Milk Bath Recipe

Not so long ago bathtime for me meant scrubbing my kid’s little fingers and toes. After my kids grew up, I’m able to take a relaxing bath. This silky milk recipe is great for relaxing and nourishing the skin. Plus, it makes a fantastic gift!

What’s in a Milk Bath?

You may have tried milk baths or heard about them before. It’s exactly as it sounds: you add milk to warm water in the bath. It’s rumored that everyone from the Romans to Victorians, to Cleopatra herself indulged in milk baths for healthy skin. While there isn’t much scientific evidence done on milk baths in particular, we do know that there are plenty of health benefits to using milk on the skin.

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While you can add just a few cups to your bathwater, most recipes include other ingredients that are good for the skin. You can add baking soda, herbs or sea salt to the bathwater.

A Milk Bath Has Many Benefits

The type of milk that you use will have an impact on your skin. Powdered milk is better for long-term storage than fresh milk. Use different types of milk, such as:

Whole milk (cow’s milk)
Goat milk
Buttermilk
Coconut milk
Oat milk

Both cow and goat’s milk contain lactic acid (an alpha-hydroxyl acid) that helps exfoliate dead skin. Buttermilk and soured milk have higher levels of lactic acids, which are better for exfoliating. Coconut milk contains healthy fats like lauric acids, as well as minerals such copper, iron and magnesium.

The moisturizing properties of milk make it an excellent choice for moisturizing dry skin. It can be used to soothe painful sunburns, rashes or other skin conditions (such as poison ivy). This can also be a good option for those with sensitive skin. Just be sure to opt for non-dairy milk though if you’re sensitive to cow milk.

Ingredients for (Another) Milk Bath

The recipe contains powdered Coconut Milk to make the skin feel silky, hydrated and smooth. I’ve also included some other skin-loving ingredients. The powdered ingredients also last longer since they are stored in a dry form. Here’s a breakdown of the ingredients and why I chose them.

Oats

Since many years, colloidal oatmeal (really finely grounded oats), has been used as a home remedy. Topically, they can soothe eczema and sunburn, as well as itchy skin. Even the FDA acknowledges its use to protect skin as an emollient. Oats contain beta-glucans and starches that protect skin. Also, they contain phenols that have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.

The FDA regulates colloidal oatmeal as a medicine, but you can achieve the same results by grinding your oats. I grind a few tablespoons of oats in a coffee mill until they become a fine powder.

Epsom Salts

I’ve used Epsom salts in many of my bath recipes, including for a detox bath. They are also known as magnesium sulfate, which is a great topical pain reliever for sore muscles. I even used it in the kid’s baths when they were little to help them relax and sleep better at night. Epsom Salts also soothe my sunburned, sore skin.

Herbs & Essential Oils

The addition of these items is optional, but it makes the milk bath more attractive and inviting. Additionally, they are good for your skin. Lavender petals or rose petals are a great way to add some color and soothe the skin. They also relax your senses. Calendula or chamomile petals are also good for healing. Use a tub strainer to drain the tub if you choose to use herbs.

I’ve also included a few drops of essential oils in my milk bath. You can pick your favorite but make sure to choose oils that are gentle enough for baths like cedarwood or lavender.