Complete guide to donkey milk

In the madness of natural ingredients in cosmetics, there is one that stands out by its origin: donkey milk. If we were to trace its history, the use of donkey milk as a cosmetic product is not very recent. It was already widely consumed in ancient times for its benefits on beauty... but also on health. The great Cleopatra never went without her herd of donkeys to enjoy her daily milk bath. That required to her all the same more than 300 animals! Famous for her great beauty, it is undoubtedly her who initiated what we observe today: a flood of natural cosmetics (or not) based on donkey milk.

Technical data sheet of donkey milk

Technical characteristics of Donkey Milk

Identity card of donkey milk

Common name: Donkey milk
Other name: Lacta asinus
INCI name: Donkey milk
Origin: animal
Forms found: liquid (fresh or raw) and powder (freeze-dried or atomized)

Biochemical characteristics.

• Vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, D, C, E
• calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, iron and zinc
• Immunoglobulins
• Alkylglycerols
• Fatty acids: omega-3 and omega-6
• protein: 1.5 - 1.8
• lipids: 0.3 - 1.8
• lactose: 5.8 - 7.4

Physical characteristics.

• Density at 20°C: 1.032
• pH : 7.0 - 7.2

Properties of donkey milk

Anti-aging: the anti-aging effect of donkey milk is brought to it by various constituents. Already, its richness in proteins gives it a tensor effect that fades wrinkles. Then, it contains vitamin C and E with antioxidant properties to fight against the signs of ageing. Finally, vitamin A, in addition to its anti-oxidant properties, is involved in skin metabolism. Tonic and skin softening: calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, iron, zinc: donkey milk is very rich in minerals and trace elements! If these compounds have a significant impact on health, they also have on the skin by participating in its balance, regeneration and protection. With the vitamins, they stimulate the synthesis of collagen, maintain a good elasticity and ensure a good hydration. Donkey milk is perfectly suited to dry, sensitive and irritated skin. Immunostimulant: donkey milk is rich in alkylglycerols, a fatty substance found in breast milk or in certain immune organs, which aim to strengthen the body's natural defenses. The same goes for immunoglobulins, which are naturally present in the blood and protect the body. Intestinal problems: donkey milk has the ability to regenerate the intestinal flora and improve transit. It thus participates in strengthening the immune system and fights constipation and other intestinal problems.

Donkey milk: a precious ingredient

Why such a craze around donkey milk?

It all comes down to its composition. It is such that this milk, along with mare's milk, is very close to breast milk. It is therefore very nutritional as well as dermatological. First of all, it contains much more lactose than the cow's milk usually consumed, but the most interesting thing is that it contains half as much fat! Secondly, children often have an allergy or intolerance to cow's milk proteins, especially to beta-lactoglobulin. This protein is simply not present in donkey milk, so there is less risk of allergies. It does not contain coagulable casein either, a protein which sometimes makes us digest milk badly. It is also for this reason that it is impossible to make cheese with donkey milk, even if we would have liked to combine pleasure and well-being. At the dermatological level, as we have seen, the composition rich in fatty acids, amino acids, vitamins and minerals makes it a very interesting cosmetic ingredient to regenerate and soften the skin.

The white gold of cosmetics

With all these good reasons, one could say to oneself to the donkey in this case! Unfortunately, it is not so simple. While a cow produces on average 25 liters of milk per day, the donkeys will produce 2 to 4 liters of milk per day. We understand better why donkey milk is called the white gold of cosmetics. Donkey milk therefore remains a luxury beauty product, very rare and unfortunately overexploited at present. This implies terrible drifts such as the mistreatment of animals. Here are our tips to combine product quality and respect for the animal:

• Get donkey milk preferably from organic farms, responsibly produced.
• Check the origin of milk in cosmetic products that contain it, or better yet, select beauty products from small producers that guarantee animal welfare.
• To preserve all the benefits of milk, choose fresh or raw milk rather than powdered milk. Drying processes often lead to a loss of certain constituents such as fatty acids.

Precautions of use of the Donkey Milk

Authorized use of the product

Authorized users

Storage and preservation

Fresh milk can be stored in the refrigerator (12 hours maximum), as can raw milk. Powders should be kept away from heat and humidity.