Cleopatra’s bath – home spa

The Queen of Egypt was not the only woman who used milk for body care. It was believed that thanks to Cleopatra’s baths with its addition, their skin would be more moisturized and nourished, and thus look younger. Such practices were passed down from generation to generation and have survived to this day. Curd wraps, milk peeling, homemade milk-based tonics are just a few examples of using milk in natural care. Following in the footsteps of the ruler of Egypt, you can also prepare Cleopatra’s bath with the addition of milk and honey. Time for a home spa.

Cleopatra’s Bath – Recipe for a Home Spa

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups goat’s or cow’s milk (preferably full-fat)
• ¼ cup honey
• ½ cup ground oatmeal (optional)
• a few drops of your favorite essential oil (optional)

Preparation Method:

Pour the milk into a pot, add honey, and heat the mixture until the honey dissolves. Stir occasionally and try not to let the milk boil. Let the mixture sit for a moment to cool slightly. Then pour the milk with dissolved honey into a bathtub filled with warm, but not hot, water. Cleopatra’s bath is ready, so you can comfortably lie in the tub and relax. 

Pro tip: Prepare the milk with honey just before getting into the tub. Do not prepare this simple mixture in advance, as it can spoil quickly. 

Optional: You can also add ground oatmeal, a few drops of essential oils, rose petals, olive oil, or any other oil to Cleopatra’s bath. This way, you enrich your ritual bath with additional benefits. For example, a bath with oatmeal is particularly suitable for people with dry and itchy skin, while one with rose petals stimulates collagen production, and adding olive oil or oil to the bath smooths and softens the epidermis.

Home spa ready!

Milk and Honey – Beauty Properties

Milk and honey, the basic ingredients of Cleopatra’s bath, were added to her beauty rituals for good reason.

Beauty Properties of Milk

Milk contains vitamins A, D, E, as well as B vitamins and minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium, making it a rich product that is suitable for the care of both delicate, sensitive skin and oily, acne-prone skin. Milk also contains proteins, which are responsible primarily for skin density and elasticity – supporting the production of collagen and hyaluronic acid, hence it is believed that a milk bath has a rejuvenating effect on the skin. Very important are fatty acids, which have a regenerative effect on the skin, exfoliate dead skin cells, and also help rebuild it. Additionally, lactic acid intensely moisturizes, smoothes, and protects the skin from all bacteria – for this reason, milk is also suitable for acne-prone skin.

Beauty Properties of Honey

Honey, on the other hand, soothes irritation, moisturizes dry skin (See also, how to care for dry skin), and accelerates wound healing. It also contains antioxidants, which can help to some extent to halt or at least slow down the aging process. Both individually and combined with milk, it can work wonders not only in the context of beauty.

Did Cleopatra Really Bathe in Milk?

As we can read in an article about Cleopatra’s bath on Justbeehoney.co.uk, Cleopatra really bathed in milk! This last pharaoh of ancient Egypt, a powerful ruler, was famous not only for her political talents but also for her stunning beauty. Quoting the article: “She is said to have bathed in donkey milk with the addition of fresh honey and essential oils.” According to historians, Queen Cleopatra used to carry a few donkeys on her travels just in case! However, we currently recommend cow’s milk, but it is worth remembering about honey and adding lavender oil or rose petals to the bath. Cleopatra’s bath is indeed a pleasant ritual to use in a home spa.

Home Spa – What Instead of Cleopatra’s Bath?

You can use milk and dairy products in many ways in home care. We have a few proposals for simple treatments for home spa.

Moisturizing Milk Mask

If you don’t want to bathe in milk, you can, for example, prepare a moisturizing mask with 2 tablespoons of ground oatmeal and ½ cup of milk. Pour the milk over the oatmeal and leave it for 30 minutes. After that time, strain the milk from the oatmeal, apply the oatmeal to your face, and leave it on for about 15 minutes. 

Another way to prepare a nourishing mask is to mix two tablespoons of full-fat cottage cheese with two tablespoons of honey. Apply this mixture to your face and, after about 15 minutes, wash it off with lukewarm water. To enhance the effect, after cleansing the skin, you can also massage a moisturizing cream into it.

Exfoliating Milk Peeling for Face and Body

Add 1 cup of rice bran to ¼ cup of milk. Mix the ingredients and apply in circular motions on the skin. This way, you will get rid of dead skin cells and additionally moisturize the skin. 

Homemade Goat Milk Toner

In this case, you only need milk and a cotton pad. You can cleanse your face with milk, which will tighten pores and, when regularly applied, brighten your complexion. Remember to wash your face thoroughly with water after applying milk to the skin.

Milk Rinse for Hair

Milk also has a wonderful effect on the condition of our hair, so it’s worth occasionally using a natural rinse with whole milk – first wash your hair with your favorite shampoo, then soak your hair in milk. After 10 minutes, rinse with lukewarm water.

Cleopatra’s Bath – Summary

Cleopatra’s bath, popular since ancient Egyptian times, uses milk and honey for skin care, making it moisturized, nourished, and younger-looking. This practice has survived for centuries and is still used in home spas today. You can prepare Cleopatra’s bath yourself using milk, honey, and optionally oatmeal and essential oils, enriching the ritual with additional benefits. Milk and honey have numerous beauty properties, moisturizing the skin, regenerating it, and protecting against aging. Alternative spa treatments, such as masks, peels, and milk toners, also offer skincare benefits. Cleopatra’s bath in a home spa is a natural way to improve skin condition.

Cleopatra’s Bath as a Home Spa Treatment – Questions and Answers