In the madness of natural ingredients in cosmetic products, there is one that stands out for its origin: donkey milk. If we had to trace its history, the use of donkey milk as a cosmetic product is not very recent. It was already widely consumed in Antiquity for its beauty benefits… but also for health. The great Cleopatra never traveled without her herd of donkeys to enjoy her daily milk bath. This still required more than 300 animals! Famous for her great beauty, it was undoubtedly she who initiated what we are currently observing: a flood of natural (or not) cosmetics based on donkey's milk.

This article was updated on 04/08/2023
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Donkey milk technical sheet

Technical characteristics of donkey milk

Donkey milk identity card

Common name: Donkey milk
Other name : Lacta asinus
INCI name: Donkey milk
Origin: animal
Forms found: liquid (fresh or raw) and powder (lyophilized 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
  • proteins: 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 provided by various constituents. Already, its richness in proteins gives it a tightening effect which blurs wrinkles. Then, it contains vitamin C and E with anti-oxidant properties to fight against the signs of aging. Finally, vitamin A, in addition to its anti-oxidant properties, is involved in skin metabolism.
Skin toner and softener : 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 an impact on the skin by participating in its balance, regeneration and protection. With vitamins, they stimulate collagen synthesis, maintain good elasticity and ensure good hydration. Donkey milk is ideal for dry, sensitive and irritated skin.
Immunostimulant : donkey's 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 therefore helps to strengthen the immune system and fights constipation and other intestinal problems.

Donkey milk: a precious ingredient

Why such a craze around donkey milk?

Everything depends on its composition. It is such that this milk, along with that of a mare, is very close to mother's milk. It is therefore very nutritional in addition to being 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 the fat! Then, children often have an allergy or intolerance to cow's milk proteins, particularly beta-lactoglobulin. This protein is simply not present in donkey milk, so there is less risk of allergies. It also does not contain coagulable casein, a protein that sometimes makes us digest milk poorly. This is also why it is impossible to make donkey milk cheese, 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 for regenerating and softening the skin.

The white gold of cosmetics

With all these good reasons, we could say we're headed for the donkey in this case! Unfortunately, it's not that simple. While a cow produces on average 25 liters of milk per day, 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 involves terrible abuses such as animal abuse. Here are our tips for combining product quality and respect for the animal:

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

Precautions for using donkey milk

Authorized ways of use
Authorized users
Storage and preservation

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

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