When I first came up with the idea of making goats milk soap, I had absolutely no idea about the benefits to sensitive skin. To me it was just a very good way of using the excess milk I had. We are very lucky in our family that we have very robust skin, and very little problems. Maybe because we all use the soap?!
The more I researched my recipe and how to make goats milk soap, the more it sent me down a whole new rabbit warren!
Most soaps are made by combining water and sodium hydroxide, and mixing with oils. However, when making goat milk soap, goat milk is used instead of water, allowing for a creamier soap due to naturally occurring fats. Goat’s milk contains both saturated and unsaturated fats. Saturated fats increase a soap’s lather while unsaturated fats make a lovely moisturising and nourishing bar.
Maintaining your skin's natural moisture
To maintain your skin’s natural moisture, it is best to use products that don’t remove the natural fats in the skin barrier, such as soaps that contain SLS or SLES. Goat’s milk soap has high amounts of fats, particularly caprylic acid, allowing for the gentle removal of dirt without removing the skin’s natural fatty acids. In addition, goat’s milk is rich in fatty acids and cholesterol, which make up a large portion of the skin’s membrane. A lack of these in your skin can lead to dryness and irritation, so goat's mill soap is really beneficial for sensitive skin!
Goat’s milk is a good source of vitamin A, an important vitamin for your skin, shown to have anti-aging properties. It is also a good source of selenium, which may improve symptoms of psoriasis
Goats milk soap is good for dry skin conditions
Dry skin can be caused by low water levels in the skin. Normally, your skin’s lipid barrier slows moisture loss. People with some dry skin conditions, such as psoriasis and eczema, often have lower levels of lipids, such as cholesterol, ceramides, and fatty acids.
To improve dry skin, the lipid barrier must be restored. Goat’s milk soap is high cholesterol and fatty acid levels may replace missing fats provide moisture.
Alpha hydroxy acids (AHA’s) are used to treat a variety of skin conditions, such as scars and stretch marks, due to their natural ability to exfoliate. Lactic acid, a naturally occurring AHA found in goat’s milk soap, has been shown to gently remove the top layer of dead skin cells, allowing for a more youthful complexion! What’s more, lactic acid is known as one of the gentlest AHAs, making it suitable for those with sensitive skin.
There are so many good things about goat’s milk soap compared to other soaps. You don’t need to have sensitive or problem skin to use it! It is just lovely creamy soap, which is so mild and gentle.
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