The Surprising Benefits Goat Milk Has On Your Skin

In all the time we've been drinking cow's milk by the gallon, we've completely forgotten about the "other" dairy. Even before plant- and nut-based milk became a thing, goat's milk was considered a healthy alternative — as long as you could adapt to its stronger smell, that is. Goats milk producer Mt. Capra even points out that 65 percent of global milk production involves goats milk.

Food and medical websites like Healthline say goat's milk contains more protein and calcium than cow's milk. It also notes that goat's milk may be able to help our bodies absorb important nutrients more effectively than cow's milk, which tends to impede our bodies' ability to process minerals like iron and copper. 

And while goat's milk is not entirely free of lactose (which many of us can be sensitive to), goat's milk has about 12 percent less, making it much easier to tolerate. Also, even if goat's milk is more protein-rich than cow's milk, Dr. Axe says it has less of the A1 casein protein that can trigger allergies in some people, as the protein has been linked to a host of skin problems including acne and eczema.

If you're allergic to the A1 casein protein, simply switching from cow's milk to goat's milk can result in fewer skin breakouts because Dr. Axe says the milk is less allergenic. And aside from being good for your insides, goat's milk is also good for your skin as well. 

Studies show goat's milk can keep your skin soft and moisturized, making it a great ingredient in soaps, washes, and lotions. It has high levels of vitamin A, which aids in keeping your skin healthy. Its high levels of lactic acid can help your skin shed its dead cells, making your complexion brighter in the process, and it has a pH level that's friendly to human skin (via BT).

But like all things, goats milk comes with fine print. Research published by the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology shows that if you can't drink goat's milk because you're allergic to it, chances are you'll develop a reaction if you use products, such as soaps or lotions, that have goat's milk as an active ingredient. So it may be prudent to carry out a patch test and make sure you're good before you make the switch.