Easy Homemade Milk Bath Recipe

I don’t know about you, but a milk bath sure sounds luxurious, doesn’t it? Whether you are looking for improved skin or a DIY gift idea, this easy homemade milk bath recipe is a definite winner.

 

My go-to for elevating a bath has always been bath salts, but when I read about some of the potential benefits of milk baths, I knew I had to give it a try. According to The Cleveland Clinic, milk baths may help with exfoliation and moisturizing while reducing inflammation and irritation.

The combination of ingredients in this milk bath recipe creates silky smooth water that feels amazing.

What You Need to Make A Milk Bath At Home

 

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Ingredients Needed to Make Homemade Milk Bath Powder

• Whole Milk Powder– From everything I have read, using high-fat milk is best for milk baths, so go with whole milk powder if you can
• Baking Soda– Baking soda is added to many bath products as it helps to soften the water
• Tapioca Starch (Also known as Tapioca Flour)- I have seen many milk bath recipes call for cornstarch, but there seems to be no benefit to adding cornstarch. Tapioca starch, however, helps to disperse the essential oils in bath water.
• Colloidal Oats– Colloidal oats are simply oats ground into a fine powder. You can buy colloidal oats or make your own. According to WebMD, oatmeal is great for soothing itchy, irritated skin.
• Essential Oils (Optional)- I love adding essential oils to most of the skin care products I make. Not only do they add a pleasant scent, many essential oils are also great for supporting healthy skin. (If you are not sure which brand of essential oil to buy, I have a whole guide to help answer that for you. I do not sell essential oils, so the information is unbiased towards any particular brand.)

Supplies Needed for DIY Milk Bath

• Mixing Bowl– I always recommend glass when working with essential oils
• Coffee Grinder– If you choose to make your own Colloidal Oats, you will need a coffee grinder
• Air Tight Jar or Container- For Storage

How to Make Homemade Milk Bath

The following recipe will make approximately 2 cups of milk bath powder, which will yield 8 uses.

As mentioned, we are using colloidal oats for this milk bath recipe. You can certainly buy colloidal oats, in which case you can skip this first step, but if you want to make your own, here’s the how to.

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How to Make Colloidal Oats

Full Disclosure: No matter how much I ground the oats, they were never quite fine enough for all of it to dissolve in the bath water, which meant there was a bit of oat residue at the bottom of the tub after draining. If this bothers you, it’s best to buy colloidal oats vs. making your own.

Add about 1/4 cup old fashion oats to a coffee grinder and pulse until the oats turn into a fine powder. You will need to repeat until you get the 1/2 cup needed for this milk bath recipe.

Test the consistency of the oat powder by adding a sprinkle of the powder to a small dish followed with a small amount of water. The powder should quickly dissolve into a milky liquid. If this doesn’t happen, you’ll need to pulse the oats a bit more until this consistency is achieved. It also helps to sift it through a mesh strainer.

 

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With the colloidal oats in order, start by adding 1/4 cup tapioca starch to a mixing bowl.

 

Add in 15-20 drops of essential oil and stir until the essential oil is thoroughly combined with the starch.

I went with lavender, but here are a few other essential oils that would work well in this milk bath recipe.

Chamomile | Frankincense | Geranium | Patchouli | Peppermint | Sandalwood

You can also do a combination of different essential oils if you choose.

 

Mix in 1 cup whole milk powder…

 

1/2 cup colloidal oats…

 

and 1/4 cup baking soda.

 

Once everything is thoroughly combined, scoop the mixture into a jar or container with an airtight lid. If you have a smaller opening, it’s helpful to use a funnel.

 

How to Use Homemade Milk Bath Powder

Prior to trying any skin care product, it is strongly recommended that you test the product on a small patch of skin to make sure there is no reaction. Please see our disclaimer statement for more details.

As you fill the bathtub with warm water, add in 1/4 cup of the milk bath powder and allow it to dissolve.

 

Soak in the milk bath for 15-20 minutes, then rinse and dry off.

 

Try Out A Few of Our Other Skin Care Recipes

DIY Bath Salts | DIY Lavender Sugar Scrub | DIY Body Butter

 

Common Questions About Making A Milk Bath

What Kind of Milk is Best for a Milk Bath?

In this recipe, I use whole milk powder. After doing some research, I found the higher the fat content, the better. However, I have seen milk bath recipes made with goat milk powder and coconut milk powder, so you can certainly give those a try if you’d like.

Can You Use Liquid Milk In A Milk Bath?

You actually can use liquid milk to prepare a milk bath. The plus to using liquid over powdered milk is cost. The downside is it cannot be stored for future use. If you choose to use milk, go with 1-2 cups of whole milk added directly into the bathtub.

Do You Need to Rinse Off After A Milk Bath?

Yes! While there isn’t much milk in the bath, it’s a good idea to rinse off to avoid any lingering residue that may be left on the skin to prevent irritation and odor.

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