Benefits of donkey milk soap

Donkey milk soap has become one of the most searched soaps in the region, and a favourite gift from trips to Türkiye. It has a reputation for being gentle and leaving skin soft. Some of that reputation is history, some is real, and some is marketing. This guide sorts out which is which.

A long history in beauty

Donkey milk has been linked with beauty for a very long time. Roman writers described Poppaea, the wife of the emperor Nero, bathing in donkey milk, and popular stories tell the same of Cleopatra. These are old stories rather than science, but they explain why the ingredient still feels a little luxurious today.

Today, donkey milk soap is a familiar find in Turkish markets and pharmacies, and many visitors from the Gulf bring a few bars home. That is also why so many people search for Turkish donkey milk soap in particular.

What is in donkey milk

Donkey milk is lighter than cow milk. It is lower in fat and contains milk sugar, called lactose, along with proteins, vitamins and minerals. Its make-up is often described as closer to human milk than cow milk is. In skin care, milk ingredients are mostly valued for a soft, creamy feel.

What a donkey milk soap can do

A soap stays on your skin for less than a minute before you rinse it off. That is worth keeping in mind with any ingredient. What a good donkey milk soap offers is a pleasant, gentle wash:

• A creamy lather that feels soft rather than squeaky
• A clean, mild feel that suits everyday washing
• Skin that feels comfortable after the shower, especially with a moisturiser
• A soft, milky scent that many people like

What it cannot do is change your skin tone, remove marks or fix a skin condition. If a product promises that, be cautious. Think of donkey milk soap as a gentle, enjoyable way to wash, not as a skin fix.

Reading the label

Ingredient lists are written roughly from the largest amount to the smallest. In most milk soaps, the soap base and water come first and the milk appears further down. That is normal. It also means the overall formula, the scent and how the bar feels on your skin matter more than one headline ingredient.

If your skin is sensitive to fragrance or you have a known milk allergy, check the full label before you buy, and ask a doctor if you are unsure.

Who it suits

Donkey milk soap is a good choice if your skin feels dry from the AC, if you prefer a soft lather to a sharp, fresh one, or if you simply like a creamy, milky scent. It is also a nice option if you are moving away from harsh, foamy body washes.

Brawish makes it two ways. The donkey milk sponge soap is for a soft daily wash. The donkey milk loofah soap adds a natural loofah for a firmer scrub, two or three times a week.

How to use it

• Use lukewarm water, which is kinder to skin than very hot water.
• Build a lather and wash in gentle circles. No need to scrub hard.
• Rinse well and pat your skin dry.
• Moisturise within a few minutes, while skin is still a little damp.

As with any new soap, try it on a small area first if your skin is sensitive, and stop if it stings or itches. A gentle soap should leave your skin feeling calm and comfortable, nothing more dramatic than that.