milk on face overnight - #13541
I am really curious about using milk on face overnight. I’ve read a bunch of things on the internet, and some people swear by it for getting rid of dark spots and maybe even softening the skin. For the last few weeks, I’ve been trying to lighten some acne scars on my cheeks that just don’t seem to budge, right? It feels like nothing has worked and it’s super frustrating. A friend of mine suggested putting milk on face overnight might help since milk is supposed to have some magical properties or something. I tried applying it with a cotton ball the first time, but I woke up the next morning with a bit of an oily residue, and I was like did I do this right? Is it normal to feel that way? Should I rinse it off in the morning? Or do I just leave it since the idea is to have the milk soak in overnight? Also, like, do I do it every night or just every few nights? I worry about breakouts since my skin can be somewhat sensitive. Anyway, if anyone has tried using milk on face overnight, I’d love to hear about your experience or if it really made a difference for you! Thanks in advance!
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Doctors’ responses
Using milk on your face as an overnight treatment has its roots in the idea that milk contains compounds potentially beneficial to the skin. Milk is rich in lactic acid, which is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) and can act as a gentle exfoliant, helping to remove dead skin cells and promoting smoother texture. There might be slight benefits in terms of hydration due to milk’s fat content. However, applying milk overnight can result in an oily residue, which you experienced. This is common, as milk’s fatty content tends to leave a film on the skin, and it’s certainly advisable to rinse it off in the morning to avoid clogging pores, which can happen especially if you have sensitive skin prone to acne.
As for frequency, if you decide to incorporate this into your routine, start with just once or twice a week to monitor how your skin reacts. Overuse or keeping milk on for too long, especially if it’s raw, can lead to irritation or even bacterial growth, potentially worsening existing skin concerns. Milk could help to brighten the skin and fade dark spots gradually, but it is subtle at best. If your aim is to lighten acne scars effectively, exploring options with more scientifically supported evidence, like niacinamide, retinoids, or chemical peels, might be more beneficial.
For sensitive skin, ensure you do a patch test first by applying milk to a small area, observing how your skin reacts before considering broader application. Consultation with a dermatologist would provide a more tailored and potentially safer approach depending on your specific skin type and condition severity. So, be cautious, especially with undue irritation; avoid keeping it if it seems to worsen your skin rather than help.
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