Updated on March 31, 2023.
If you experience dry, itchy skin, a simple remedy may be as nearby as your refrigerator.
"Milk is a super soother for chapping, windburn, sunburn, eczema, and other skin irritations," says Amy Wechsler, MD, a dermatologist in New York City. "It contains proteins (whey and casein), fat, amino acids, lactic acid, and vitamins A and D, all of which calm dry, upset skin."
For irritations like sunburn and eczema, Dr. Wechsler suggests applying compresses dipped in cool milk. But use whole milk; skim won't do because it doesn't contain fat, one of milk's most soothing components.
If compresses aren't practical—say you gave yourself an especially nasty sunburn on a beach getaway—a milk bath will give you some relief. Add 2 to 4 cups to a warm (not hot) tub and soak for 20 minutes. You can use powdered whole milk, too: As the water flows from the faucet, sprinkle the amount of powder needed to make a quart of milk.
Just remember to give yourself a rinse with fresh, clean water after your bath, as the residue from a milk bath can stick with you as you go about your day.
Milk baths also soften skin, according to Wechsler. Milk's lactic acid weakens glue-like compounds that stick dead, ready-to-be-shed cells to the skin's surface and makes it look dull and dry. Soak for 15 minutes, and then give your body a gentle neck-to-toe scrubdown with a bath brush, loofah, or washcloth. This will slough off those dead cells, leaving skin smoother and softer.
Note that milk baths haven't been proven by research to work, so one person's experience with them may not apply to others'. It's also a good move to consult with your healthcare provider before trying any home remedies, even those as gentle-seeming as milk baths. The lactic acid in milk may irritate some sensitive skin.
