Use milk for silky smooth skin

Shahnaz Husain *

Wants to look fair, beautiful and attractive, then forget expensive beauty products if you have milk in your kitchen jar. Three glass of milk intake daily will keep your skin soft, supple and radiant.

Milk is considered a miracle drink to control melanin production and to achieve a fair, glowing and flawless complexion. It is one of the most nutrient-rich foods which is packed with proteins, enzymes, vitamins, minerals and lactic acid that works effectively for lighter, blemish and acne-free skin

We all know that Milk is rich in nutrients and plays a most important role in the healthy growth and development of both body and mind. But, many may not know that it is also most beneficial for skin and hair care. Milk helps to nourish and soften the skin. It contains many Vitamins and minerals which are very necessary for healthy skin.

Milk also contains alpha hydroxy acid, which actually help to reduce blemishes and has an anti-tan effect on the skin. Cotton wool soaked in cold milk can be used to wipe the skin to remove tan and soothe the skin. Cold milk applied daily, using cotton wool, not only helps to soothe the skin, but also keeps it soft.

It also makes the skin colour lighter over a period of time, if used daily. It would suit normal to dry skins.

Milk also contains lactic acid, which nourishes and moisturises the skin and helps to delay the visible signs of ageing. Milk can be added to face packs very easily. However, it suits normal to dry skin more.

During winter, milk may be applied on normal to oily skin, to relieve dryness and improve skin texture. Soak Lotus flowers in 3 to 4 tablespoons warm milk for an hour. Crush the flowers with the fingers. Add three teaspoons gram flour (besan) and mix it with the milk and crushed flowers into a paste.

Apply on the face, avoiding the lips and area around eyes. Wash it off after 20 to 30 minutes. Raw milk should be used on the face for beauty care. Boiling the milk destroys several nutrients.

For a face pack. Add 2/3rd tsp of gram flour to raw milk and mix well. Add very little honey and rose to the mixture. Apply on the face and wash off with water after 10 minutes.

Milk has been a favourite beauty aid for generations. For one thing, it is so easily available in every home. Secondly, its properties are well known and also valued. Although it is a common home care ingredient for the skin, it can also be extremely beneficial for the hair.

Milk has softening and nourishing properties. We all know that milk is full of nutrients. It contains different kinds of proteins. Hair is also made up of a protein matter called keratin. Therefore, protein in milk is beneficial for the hair, in terms of adding strength and body.

Milk also contains fats, which help to soften and smoothen the hair. It is of particular benefit to dry hair, as well as hair that has been subjected to chemical treatments. Milk also contains vitamins and minerals, which are nourishing for the hair. Many of them are powerful antioxidants and nourish the hair follicles.

Milk can be applied on the hair to nourish and soften it and also to give it a healthy lustre. If the hair has been subjected to sun-damage, applying milk would help to nourish, soften and restore health to it.

After your shampoo, rinse the hair with milk and leave on for 5 minutes. Then rinse off with plain water. It would help to add body and shine to the hair.

For extremely dry hair, add a little milk to egg yolk and apply on the hair half an hour before shampoo. This is a wonderful nourishing treatment for dry hair. The hair looks soft, smooth and shiny.

A pre-shampoo treatment can also be done with a hair pack containing powdered milk. Add a little water to make a thick paste. Apply it on the hair. Then dip a towel in hot water, squeeze out the water and wrap the hot towel around the head, like a turban. Keep it on for 5 minutes. Repeat the hot towel wrap 3 or 4 times. This helps the hair and scalp absorb the pack bet.