Milk & Honey
© Natural Health/Weider Publications. All rights reserved.
Two of the most nourishing, soothing skin-care ingredients come straight from the breakfast table.
By Olessa Pindak
MILK AND HONEY are the original comfort foods. Both are strongly associated with childhood (soupy bowl of Honey Smacks, anyone?) and with relaxation. A little warm milk is commonly sipped in the evening to promote sleep (this works, thanks to milk's tryptophan content), while honey is a sweet treat whether it's spread onto bread or stirred into tea.
As it turns out, this delicious duo comforts more than mind and soul. "Milk and honey are terrific in skin care because they're soothing and nourishing for the skin," explains Doris J. Day, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City and author of Forget the Face-Lift. Both milk and honey have natural properties that help alleviate redness and calm irritated skin; both are hydrating; and both provide gentle, skin-renewing exfoliation.
No wonder so many beauty brands are creating products that feature these fabulous fluids.
The Milky Way
MILK CONTAINS LACTIC ACID, a gentle exfoliant, and is a good source of vitamins A and D, which nourish the complexion. Whole milk is such a powerful soother for dry, itchy skin that it can be used to take the sting out of minor bums and rashes. "Milk proteins [aka whey] are usually much more concentrated than even milk itself, making products with whey proteins very effective," says Day. Look for "lactic acid," "milk proteins," or "whey" on the label to make sure you get the good stuff.
Honey Do's
HONEY IS A TIME-HONORED TREAT for both skin and hair. Honey's unique texture holds the key to many of its benefits. "Because it's so thick, it's occlusive and locks moisture in," explains Day. It's also a great exfoliator.
© Natural Health/Weider Publications. All rights reserved.
