Natural cosmetics, like kings and queens Part 5, beauty milk

The articles we are dedicating to INCI, the label that by law should list the ingredients of cosmetics, make us understand that behind creams, serums and lotions that we can buy in shops and that promise miracles for our skin and beauty there are often chemical substances, derived from petrol, sometimes even irritating, that clog the pores and suffocate the skin. And the skin may react by becoming dry, dehydrated and acne, blackheads but also wrinkles may occur. And what about if we try to prepare by ourselves little beauty lotions? Natural cosmetics that are inspired to the beauty secrets of ancient queens and kings, well known for the care they dedicated to their body and for their charm. Today we will see a special face treatment. Cleopatra, Poppea and Paolina Bonaparte had a secret in common, these women indeed, famous for their beauty, took care of their skin with a bath in donkey’s milk that they passed and massaged on the skin. They found out that after this bath the skin was luminous and smooth. Donkey milk in fact, in addition to vitamins, mineral salts and essential fatty acids, contains lactic acid, with an exfoliating action for a renewed skin. And, as often happens, science has confirmed the tradition, we can mention the scientific study published in the Journal of dermatology in 2006 (Yamamoto et al) that has observed that, in case of skin damaged by sun rays, a once-daily treatment for 6 weeks with lactic acid improves both the epidermis and the dermis. Ok, for us nowadays it may be a bit difficult to get so much donkey milk to fill a bathtub, not for nothing Cleopatra had at her disposal about 300 donkeys, but we can anyway take benefit from the properties of lactic acid by preparing a yogurt mask that, always on the basis of researches, improves elasticity, luminosity and the level of hydration of the skin (Yeom et al, J Cosmet Sci, 2011). If you have dry skin you can mix two tablespoons of yogurt, the pulp of half an avocado and a teaspoon of honey. Massage this mask on the cleaned face for some minutes, then let it rest for 15 minutes, finally rinse well. The final effect will be a soft, velvety and luminous skin! If you have instead an acne prone skin you can mix yogurt and half a cucumber blended with a food processor for an astringent action. Apply the mask on the cleaned face with slow movements, then let it act for 10-15 minutes and rinse. Finally use a tonic and your daily face cream!