While people are encouraged to put a laundry list of ingredients on their skin throughout my time as a beauty therapist and as someone with once acne-prone and sensitive skin, I do pause with each new product. Will this throw my complexion into chaos? I think as I scoop out a bit of cream or a pump of serum. So, when I came across an ingredient that was effective at their intended purpose — be it brightening, exfoliating, or hydrating — without being irritating, I listened up. And such is the case with donkey milk.
It has a long and fascinating history of use. It’s said that Cleopatra bathed in donkey’s milk for her soft, supple skin. Centuries ago, and now again today, it is being used medicinally in parts of India and Africa. It’s been an ingredient used by Greek homeopathic practitioners for years, both topically and internally. It has even been used as a substitute for breast milk, as structurally it most closely resembles human milk. This is all to say: If time and history is any indication, there is something here.
Now In fact this past year, it was the most Googled ingredient, with over 27 million results. find our here Smartass Donkey milk
Let’s talk benefits
The ingredient gets its acclaim from its dense nutrient profile. Called a “natural elixir of youth,” it contains several special actives: vitamins A, D, and C; as well as proteins and fatty acids. This blend of nutrients is significant for several reasons.
First up, vitamin A — or what retinol is derived from. Retinol is beloved for its ability to encourage skin cell turnover and help skin cells act younger; however, it is notoriously difficult on skin. But natural alternatives, like vitamin A or bakuchiol, do not have the same issues of irritation. (That being said: They’re also not as potent, nor do they all work in the same ways, which is a good thing for many of us with sensitive skin!) Donkey milk contains a surprisingly high amount of the antioxidant, so one of the main functions of the ingredient is skin cell renewal. Expect to see younger, brighter-looking skin with regular use.
Vitamin D is one of the most important vitamins for our skin — as it can help deter premature aging and has major anti-inflammatory properties. Some studies show it can help ease inflammatory skin conditions like eczema, rosacea, and acne. However, vitamin D’s relationship with the skin is a complex one. The primary way humans get it is through UV exposure, but we also know that too much of that has adverse effects on the skin. It’s vital to take it as a supplement for your overall health, yes, but you can also help soothe stressed-out skin with it when you use it topically. Donkey milk naturally contains the vitamin, unlike other kinds of milk.
Then we have a host of other ingredients, like vitamin C. (“Vitamin C is one of the few active ingredients that can benefit all skin types This can help improve collagen production in the skin, as well as fight free radicals and help overall tone. Then there are the proteins and fatty acids to help moisture skin as well.
Our 98% Super serum is packed with 98 % of this amazingness
It should go without saying that this is not a vegan product, as it contains an animal by-product.
However, donkey milk is collected humanely — with the baby and mother being kept together, unlike typical cow’s milk extraction in which they are separated, as the mother donkey literally cannot produce milk without the child present. This also tends to mean the ingredient is created in small batches (much like goat’s milk), so it tends to be a rarer, harder-to-find ingredient.
To me of the best ingredients are those that are used time and again, by cultures across the globe. Donkey milk checks all the boxes, as it’s soothing, encourages skin cell renewal, and protects skin with its antioxidant properties. Our 78 % mega moisture combines 78 % milk with natural and regenerating oils from the Mediterranean