My first experience with buttermilk involved me, my elementary school bff (I’d use her name but it’s one of a kind. Literally.), and a craving for some chocolate milk. Let’s just say our chocolate buttermilk was not what we were expecting, and her mom wasn’t exactly pleased to find that we had dumped all of the “bad” milk down the drain. Although I avoided it for years, buttermilk powder and I are becoming fast friends thanks to the skin benefits it provides. After all, if people from Cleopatra to Southern Living are fans, there has to be something to it. .
So what are the benefits of buttermilk for skin?
It turns out that there are several! While buttermilk powder tends to be best for dry and/or acne prone skin, it can also help lessen the discomfort of a sunburn, and reduce skin blemishes such as red or dark spots. Buttermilk powder can also provide gentle yet thorough exfoliation. This effective exfoliation can reduce or even help eliminate skin blemishes.
One of the most intriguing benefits of buttermilk powder for skin is its ability to exfoliate the skin, while also providing intense moisturizing. In fact, the moisturizing power of buttermilk is so strong that it can even help alleviate the discomfort of a sunburn. By keeping the skin moisturized and smooth, buttermilk can help accelerate the healing process of the damaged skin. The astringent properties of buttermilk also help firm and tighten skin.
How does buttermilk provide so many benefits?
Several of the benefits of buttermilk for skin come from the presence of milk protein and lactic acid. These compounds are responsible for gentle exfoliation, and helping moisturize and rejuvenate the skin for a smoother, more glowing complexion. Lactic acid also helps brighten skin, and smooth skin texture. In fact, many beauty products that are designed to remove dark marks or spots on the face use lactic acid. While these products don't say buttermilk on the label, you can thank lactic acid!
Ultimately, there are many benefits of buttermilk for skin; from gentle exfoliation to sunburn relief, buttermilk and buttermilk powder offers something for almost everyone.