Postpartum Skin Care: 5 Tips Using Breast Milk

3+ Benefits of Breast Milk for Skin Care

Aside from being a nutritious source of food for babies, breast milk is also an excellent ingredient for skin care. Here are three common benefits of using breast milk for skin care:

Reduces Acne

Breast milk contains white blood cells that fight against harmful agents, removing dirt, bacteria, and other impurities from the skin. This helps keep the mother’s facial skin clean and clear. Additionally, breast milk contains lauric acid compounds that are known to reduce acne.

Reduce dark spots, brighten skin

Breast milk is an excellent ingredient for reducing dark spots and brightening postpartum skin. It is rich in vitamins A, C, and E, which help reduce wrinkles, melasma, and even out skin tone.

Prevent skin diseases

Using breast milk for postpartum facial care can effectively prevent skin diseases. Breast milk contains IgA antibodies that have an antibacterial effect, protecting the skin from bacterial invasion. Additionally, the whey protein content in breast milk acts as an anti-infective agent that helps improve the overall condition of the skin.

5+ Postnatal Skin Care Methods Using Breast Milk

Here are 5 methods for postnatal skin care using breast milk that can help make your skin smoother and more beautiful.

Method 1: Treating postpartum acne with breast milk and coconut oil

Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon of coconut oil
• 1 spoonful of breast milk

Instructions:

1. Mix the breast milk and coconut oil until the mixture becomes homogeneous.
2. Apply the mixture to your face and leave it on for 15-20 minutes.
3. Wash it off with warm water.

Note: For optimal skin care results, use this method 1-2 times per week.

Benefits:

• Reduces acne, tightens pores, and makes the skin smoother.
• Provides vitamins A, E, and amino acids that have antibacterial and cleansing properties.
• Maintains the skin’s moisture levels, keeping it smooth and elastic.

Treating Postpartum Melasma with Breast Milk and Turmeric:

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons of breast milk
• 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder or turmeric starch

Instructions:

1. Mix the turmeric powder or starch with the breast milk to form a smooth paste.
2. Wash your face with water and a regular facial cleanser to remove dirt. Pat your face dry with a soft towel.
3. Apply the mixture evenly on your skin using your hands or a brush.
4. Leave the mixture on your skin for 20-30 minutes and then rinse it off with warm water.

Note: You can use this breast milk skin care method 2-3 times a week.

Benefits:

• Prevents signs of aging and helps whiten and smooth the skin.
• Effectively reduces dark spots and freckles.
• Soothes the skin and prevents acne from forming.
• Provides moisture to maintain good skin elasticity.

Exfoliating with Breast Milk and Oats

Ingredients:

• 1 spoon of breast milk
• 1 teaspoon of oatmeal
• 1 teaspoon of raw honey

Instructions: Step 1: Mix breast milk and oatmeal together, then add raw honey to create a perfect skin care mask. Step 2: Cleanse your face with warm water and a facial cleanser, then dry it with a soft towel or cotton. Step 3: Apply the mixture to your skin, leave it on for about 30 minutes, then rinse it off with water.

Note: It is recommended to perform this skin care routine regularly, 2-3 times a week for healthy and radiant skin.

Benefits:

• Increases moisture and provides nutrients to nourish each skin cell.
• Exfoliates dead skin cells, leaving skin smooth and aiding in better nutrient absorption.
• Helps with skin regeneration and anti-aging.
• Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, preventing the formation of acne.

Hydrate Your Postpartum Skin with Breast Milk and Red Bean Powder

Ingredients:

• Red bean powder: 1 teaspoon
• Breast milk: 1 spoon

Instructions:

1. Mix the red bean powder with breast milk.
2. Wash your face with warm water and your usual cleanser.
3. Apply the mixture onto your skin and gently massage for 1-2 minutes, then leave it on for another 15 minutes.
4. Rinse your face with water and pat dry.

Note: Repeat this treatment 2-3 times a week.

Benefits:

• Stimulates collagen production and reverses the aging process, leaving your skin soft and smooth.
• Lifts facial skin tone and balances skin pigmentation, promoting an even skin tone.

Detoxifying postpartum skin with breast milk and green tea powder

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons of breast milk
• 1 teaspoon of pure green tea powder

Instructions: Step 1: Mix the breast milk and green tea powder to form a thick paste. Step 2: Apply the mixture onto your face and relax for 20 minutes, then rinse off with warm water.

Note: It’s recommended to perform this skincare routine 2 times a week consistently for best results.

Benefits:

• The antioxidant compounds in green tea help prevent aging of the skin.
• Provides vitamins B1, B2, E, and X to promote smooth, even, and radiant skin.
• Repairs damaged skin for a healthy and firm complexion.

Tips for postnatal skin care with breast milk

Here are some important tips to help achieve the best results when using breast milk for postnatal skin care:

Be consistent

In order to see the benefits of using breast milk as a natural skin care method, it is important to be consistent with a frequency of 2-3 times per week. It may take some time to see results, but consistency is key to achieving healthy and radiant skin.

Properly storing breast milk before using it

When using breast milk for skin care, it is important to store it properly in the refrigerator. The mother should not keep the milk in the cooler for more than 4 days, and in the freezer for no longer than 6 months to prevent it from spoiling. The milk should be stored in a dedicated breast milk storage bag or container with a tightly fitting lid. However, for the best skin care results, mothers should use fresh breast milk and avoid using milk that has been stored for too long.

Proper care

Proper care is essential during postpartum skin care with breast milk. Mothers should supplement their diet with adequate nutrients and drink enough water to nourish and improve their skin more quickly. Some essential substances that mothers should supplement and the amount of water they should drink are:

Vitamin C: This group of vitamins helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles, improve and prevent dry skin. Some foods that are high in vitamin C include oranges, lemons, grapefruit, strawberries, broccoli, and spinach.

Vitamin E: This is an effective antioxidant that fights free radical damage, blocks the effects of UV rays on the skin, prevents swelling and skin edema, and stimulates collagen production for the skin. Foods rich in vitamin E include spinach, almonds, avocados, squash, salmon, shrimp, wheat germ oil, olive oil, and broccoli.

Vitamin K: This substance helps reduce wrinkles and sagging skin, fade scars and stretch marks on the skin. Foods that are rich in vitamin K include spinach, kale, asparagus, cabbage, broccoli, blueberries, peaches, figs, and grapes.

Mothers should drink at least 2 liters of water every day to keep their skin hydrated at all times. They can divide the number of times they drink water into different milestones such as after waking up, 9 am, after lunch, late afternoon, and after dinner.