When there’s a new skincare product or trend that promises dewy, glowy skin, we’re first in line. And you don’t have to be skincare-obsessed to know that bouncy, hydrated skin is in – so, when milky skincare products started hitting our feeds and the beauty cabinets of our favourite skincare gurus, we knew we had to dive deeper into this milky skincare craze.
Milk has been a staple in skincare since the days of Ancient Egypt—Cleopatra, the original beauty icon, was famously known for her luxurious milk and honey baths. Now that skin milks are making a major comeback, it’s clear she was onto something all along.
While skin milk dates back many eras, it’s always been a staple in modern Korean skincare (surprise, surprise). While skin milks and toners nowadays don’t actually contain milk (good news for vegans), it’s the milky and lightweight appearance and feel of these toners, serums, and cleaners that gives them their name, setting them apart from ordinary skincare picks. Plus, its easy-to-layer consistency gels well with the Korean skincare philosophy of layering skincare products to keep the skin hydrated and to promote skin-barrier health.
Packed with skin-loving ingredients like ceramides, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and fermented ingredients (like fermented rice extracts), milky skincare products are designed to boost hydration and support your skin barrier, resulting in the highly sought-after glow-within dewy finish.
From K-beauty favourites to cult-buys from Western juggernauts like Rhode, we’ve curated the best milky skincare products that deserve a spot on your top shelf, below.
Related Read: The Best Face Oils for Glowing Hydrated Skin