Natural Skin Benefits of Goat Milk Soap
Soap is a daily necessity for washing and cleaning the skin. Yet, many soaps on the market can be irritating, drying, or even contain harmful chemicals. Soap made from goat milk is nourishing for people with dry or sensitive skin. Also, research has shown that goat milk has antibacterial properties. This makes it useful for reducing the spread of bacteria which may cause disease. Keep reading to learn more about the natural skin benefits of goat milk soap.
Health concerns about antibacterial soaps
Many commercial soaps include broad-spectrum antibacterial agents. These are often triclosan and/or quaternary ammonium salts. They are also found in other personal care products such as toothpaste and skin creams. Although not shown to be harmful to humans, studies show that these agents can affect hormone signaling in cells. One study found that triclosan was about 6% absorbed through human skin. Triclosan was also present in human breast milk, urine, and blood plasma. Even though humans can metabolize it, there is evidence that triclosan is toxic to marine life.1
The over-use of antimicrobials may lead to bacterial resistance due to mutations. This issue is now a public health concern. So-called “superbugs” may also be resistant to antibiotics prescribed by doctors. This is a problem since these antibiotics would no longer work to treat infections. In 2016, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned the use of triclosan and 18 other antimicrobials in soap. The FDA recommends washing your hands with plain soap and water.
Skin Benefits of Goat’s Milk
Goat milk differs from cow and human milk in its makeup and nutritional content. Goat milk contains proteins, amino acids, lipids, lactose, vitamins, and minerals. The specific content of each does vary depending on goat breed and other factors. Compared to cow milk, goat milk has more medium-chain fatty acids, fat globules, and amino acids. 2 Goat
milk also has a higher number of smaller-sized fat globules and small-sized casein micelles. In addition, goat milk is rich in conjugated linoleic, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids. It also includes lactic acid, which is an alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Lactic acid helps to remove dead skin cells and brighten the skin’s appearance. Vitamin A found in goat milk can also increase skin cell turnover. 3
Research has shown that goat milk destroys both fungus and bacteria on the skin. These common microorganisms include Candida albicans, S. epidermidis, Micrococcus luteus, and Enterococcus species, and others. 4 So, it does work for removing bacteria on the hands and skin.
Due to its natural benefits and properties, I prefer to bathe with goat’s milk bar soap at home. I am currently using a brand called Zum Bar. Remember to avoid milk products if you are allergic. It is important to watch for any signs of allergic reactions while using goat milk soap.
Zum Bar Goat’s Milk Soap
These bars have a goat’s milk base. The soap is also made with oils such as olive, coconut, palm, and castor oil. The added oils contain fatty acids and antioxidants. These help to moisturize dry skin. Also, I love that this soap is cruelty-free and comes in a variety of scents. The one pictured above contains patchouli essential oil. Click here to browse other scents available on Indigo Wild’s website. If you would like to make goat milk soap at home yourself, check out my other blog post for a quick lye-free recipe.
References
- Olaniyan LW, Mkwetshana N, Okoh AI. Triclosan in water, implications for human and environmental health. SpringerPlus. 2016;5(1). doi:10.1186/s40064-016-3287-x.
- Mohsin AZ, Sukor R, Selamat J, Hussin AS, Ismail IH. Chemical and mineral composition of raw goat milk as affected by breed varieties available in Malaysia. International Journal of Food Properties. 2019; 22(1): 815-824. doi:10.1080/10942912.2019.1610431
- K S, Sonu. (2020). Compositional and therapeutic signatures of goat milk: A review Sonu KS and Basavaprabhu HN. 10.22271/chemi.2020.v8.i2p.8902.
- Ashraf Z, Jamil A, Umar S, Nadeem SG. Antimicrobial pattern associated with handmade goat milk soap. RADS Journal of Biological Research and Applied Science. 2016; 2(7): 19-23.
