It’s been said that Cleopatra would take milk baths to enhance the feel and look of her skin. Seems, she was onto something. Fast forward many centuries later, and the thought of milk as a skin treatment is popular again; nevertheless, it doesn’t involve soaking in almonds, oats, or pistachios (keep those to your latte). Today, there are skin milksspecifically formulated to nourish your face and body.

Products like Laneige Cream Skin Toner and Josie Maran’s Pure Argan Milk Treatment were pioneers, launching back in 2019 and 2014 respectively. As of this summer, they’ve some company — the skincare aisle has began to rival the dairy aisle. Rhode Skin, Chillhouse, and Biologique Recherche all launched milk-inspired products within the second half of 2023. So did By Rosie Jane, Abi Amé, and Milk Made Skin.

Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Marnie Nussbaum explains that the lightweight texture is the right solve for greasy summertime skin. Very like the jelly-texutured products that reigned supreme for some time, milky formulas keep the skin moisturized while still feeling light in peak humidity.

Meet the experts:

• Dr. Marnie Nussbaum is an NYC-based board-certified dermatologist
• Alex Padgett is a cosmetic chemist in Dallas, Texas
• Amanda Lam is a cosmetic chemist in Brooklyn, Recent York

And besides the undeniable fact that these serums, lotions, and toners feel good in your skin, there may be also something nurturing concerning the concept of milk. We saw this with a recent wave of vanilla fragrances. The nose behind Ellis Brooklyn Vanilla Milk scent, Meabh McCurtin, a perfumer at International Flavors & Fragrances, has told Allure, “Milks are having an enormous moment as well [for their] comfort level.” It’s what inspired Chillhouse founder Cyndi Ramirez-Fulton to create Alt Milk Bathing Cream. She reiterated that “milk is certainly one of those things that’s very comforting, so it is smart that individuals want it of their skincare.”

Here, experts share more about summer’s hottest skincare trend, the right way to include it in your routine, and our favourite latest skin milks your skin is bound to drink up.

What’s a Skin Milk?

There isn’t any actual milk in these products — all of it comes all the way down to the feel resembling your cereal’s best accessory. Cosmetic chemist Alex Padgett explains that a milky product typically comprises each oil and water-soluble ingredients. Together the 2 “give products barrier nourishing properties,” says Padgett.