Be it coconut oil, aloe vera gel or a banana mask, women have a favorite home remedy or two. Some are also big believers of natural ingredients. Taking it up a level is singer Halsey, who became a mom two years ago, and drinks breast milk as a part of her skin-care routine. The Grammy nominee even called it “the best skin care ingredient ever” in a recent interview. This got us wondering if breast milk is actually good for your skin. Let’s hear what an expert has to say about Halsey’s beauty secret.
In an interview with Nylon magazine, she said that breast milk is “loaded with antioxidants and good fats and things that speed up the healing process.”
Join Health Shots Dr Madhu JunejaSenior Consultant – Obstetrician-Gynaecologist, Cloudnine Group of Hospitals, Kalyani Nagar, Pune To find out if breast milk can be a skin care ingredient.
benefits of breast milk
New mothers are encouraged to give breast milk to their babies as it contains carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. It is an ideal food which is easy to digest and prevents infection.
• Vitamin D promotes bone growth and protects the child from rickets.
• Leukocytes and lactoperoxidase inhibit the growth of infectious agents.
• Lysozyme, lactoferrin and interferon protect against infection.
• Long-chain omega-3 fatty acids are good for neurological development.
• Immunoglobulin protects against infection.
Expert says that it is a complex unique fluid with nutrients, enzymes and antibodies for the growth and development of the baby.
breast milk and skin care
Many women view breast milk as the only baby food because it is very nutritious. Well, some elders even dare to try drinking breast milk, It has immunosuppressive benefits, and this good property leads some people to believe that it can be applied topically to the skin. Dr. Juneja says the anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of breast milk make it even better for use on certain skin conditions. According to the National Library of Medicine, breast milk is a curative remedy. Sometimes, it is used as a treatment for cracked nipples or skin infections.
Dr. Juneja says that the use of breast milk for skin care is not supported by strong scientific evidence. But yes, it can give moisturizing effect on the skin. Some also use it for eczema, acne or diaper rash, However, it is important to note that milk contains bodily fluids with bacteria, so it should not be used on open cut wounds.
In addition, breast milk is a source of nutrition for infants and using it for skin care will reduce the amount of milk available to the baby.
But if you still want to try it, make sure you don’t leave breast milk on your face overnight. The expert says that it is not advised to leave breast milk overnight or for a longer period of time. It is a bodily fluid containing microorganisms and bacteria that can adversely affect the skin. It is better to visit your dermatologist for any skin related problems rather than treating conditions like eczema or acne on its own.
harm of breast milk on skin
While breast milk is a natural and nutrient-rich food for babies, it has some disadvantages if you apply it to the skin. Here are some of the problems you may encounter:
• There is a risk of possible bacterial infection, especially if you apply breast milk to your face without proper hygiene practices.
• Allergic reactions can occur, so when breast milk is applied topically it can cause redness, swelling, hives and itching.
• Your baby will get less milk if you include this in your skin care routine. This may reduce the availability of the child and subsequently the child may have a low immunity or an illness.
Therefore, even though breast milk has potential benefits for the skin, it’s important to check with your doctor first.
