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Donkey Milk: Ancient Elixir Of Life.

Updated: Sep 30, 2023


cleopatra last pharoh of egypt

Donkey milk was hailed by the ancients as an elixir of long life, a cure-all for a variety of ailments, and a powerful tonic capable of rejuvenating the skin. The ancient Greek physician Hippocrates wrote of its incredible medicinal properties and legend has it that Cleopatra insisted on a daily bath in “Asses” (donkey) milk to preserve the beauty and youth of her skin.


Donkey Milk Preserves Beauty and Youth?


Donkey milk is experiencing a modern-day resurgence and according to recent scientific studies, it would appear that donkey milk is indeed beneficial for the skin. Donkey milk has powerful anti-ageing and healing properties as it contains essential fatty acids which lessen the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and help to regenerate damaged skin.


Milk Bath Benefits.


Cleopatra is legendary for many things - she was the last pharaoh of ancient Egypt, she was smart and stunningly beautiful, she also bathed in milk, and that's the stuff of legend too because she was renowned for her beautiful skin. It was believed that donkey milk rendered the skin more delicate, preserved its whiteness, and erased facial wrinkles, and it’s said that over 700 asses were needed to provide the quantity required for her daily bath.

cleopatra in a bath of donkey milk

It’s believed she also added honey and lavender to the milk, which was scattered with floating rose petals, and while it might seem like a wasteful decadence, there's actually a reason why milk is good for your skin. The lactic acid in milk is an alpha hydroxy acid, which helps cleanse the skin and release dead skin cells, allowing the skin to rejuvenate itself more quickly, and resulting in radiantly glowing, satiny smooth and soft skin.


Alpha hydroxy acids are commonly added to moisturizers, cleansers, toners, and masks and are good for the skin in the same way that milk is - they act as an exfoliant. Over time, they are especially effective in decreasing the look of wrinkles and smoothing the skin, so taking a milk bath is the natural way to get these benefits for your skin - and from head to toe, at that!

The Secret is Out!


Cleopatra was not the only one who enjoyed the benefits of donkey milk baths, historical records show that donkey milk was often used as a treatment to revitalize the skin. Preserving great beauty required great effort, and women from the ancient world knew the secret. Poppaea Sabina the wife of Roman Emperor Nero, was also an advocate of asses milk and Napoleon Bonaparte’s sister Pauline, was also reported to have used asses milk for her skin’s health care, but what is the secret behind the benefits of Donkey Milk?


Powerful Anti-Ageing and Healing Ingredients.


Among its many properties, Donkey Milk is rich in vitamins and has a high protein profile, high lactose ratios and low fat content. It contains minerals, essential fatty acids and a bioactive enzyme containing anti-bacterial agents and anti-allergens which are believed to be responsible for alleviating psoriasis and eczema.


Antioxidant and Nutrient Rich.


Donkey Milk is also packed full of powerful antioxidants and nutrients. These include essential vitamins such as vitamin A, B1, B2, B6, C, D, E, Omega 3 and 6 and also calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc and amino acids.


Moisturiser and Softener.


Donkey Milk is a powerful moisturiser, cleanser, and softener for your skin. Its youth-keeping properties are imparted by retinol found in the milk, and with consistent use, it cleanses, softens and smooths, making it a very versatile beauty product. It’s gentle to use on sensitive skin for both babies and adults and is full of healing, nutritional and rejuvenating properties.


A Natural Chemical Peel.


Donkey Milk’s secret lies in the milk sugar lactose which is converted by bacteria into lactic acid. When alpha hydroxy acids such as lactic acid are applied to the skin, they cause the surface layer to shed dead skin cells leaving new smoother blemish-free skin underneath. Alpha hydroxyl acids can also reduce minor wrinkles.


Donkey Milk in Pure French Soap.


Today, Donkey Milk is widely used in the manufacture of creams and soap. Across the world, Europe has the widest range of Donkey Milk personal care products and France leads the way in product development. Because of their natural origin, milk ingredients are perfect for cosmetics, and in recent years the cosmetic industry has been focused towards products made with natural ingredients and is now oriented to sustainable consumption. The Donkey Milk found in our Pure French Soap is fresh and organic and sourced from a small farm in Hérault in the Occitan region. It’s added cold after saponification to ensure that it retains all its moisturizing and regenerating characteristics, so that you can enjoy yet more, natural, organic, eco-friendly, sustainable and affordable guilt-free pure skindulgence!

donkeys at a small farm in Hérault Occitan

Thank you Donkeys!

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