Camel Milk: To Drink or to Apply?

For thousands of years, the medicinal properties of camel milk have been known, primarily in desert and other closed communities. From the distant mysterious deserts, camel milk, chocolate, and cosmetic products are slowly conquering the world. It is said that Queen Cleopatra regularly used camel milk for bathing, both for health and beauty.

Camel milk has been known for centuries for its healing properties. It contains vital immune characteristics as a natural source of alpha-hydroxy acid for softening the skin, making it supple and smooth while preventing wrinkles. Camel milk is rich in proteins that are otherwise used in moisturizing creams, abundant in vitamin C (a natural antioxidant) and B vitamins, and has a significant amount of iron (up to 10 times more than cow’s milk) and magnesium.

Perfect for the Skin

It is also rich in probiotics and has antibacterial and antiviral properties for protecting and maintaining healthy skin and overall body health. However, it particularly excels in moisturizing the skin and treating acne, even atopic dermatitis. Products made from camel milk are therefore recommended for individuals suffering from acne, even in cases of sores and other skin issues such as irritation, redness, or localized psoriasis. Products containing camel milk affect the bacteria on the skin that cause acne. Not only does it hydrate, but thanks to collagen and elastin, it effectively combats skin aging and wrinkles. Additionally, this milk combines well with other dairy bases for creams, such as almond, and essential oils to achieve targeted care.

Camel milk is extremely beneficial as a drink for improving health, even in cases of diabetes, and all health properties are still being researched, but to Westerners, this milk with a very strong odor is generally off-putting as a food product. Nevertheless, it is on the best path to becoming a new superfood, from which kefirs, chocolates, and yogurts are already being made. Due to its properties, camel milk can also be consumed by people who are lactose intolerant, and many claim it helps children with autism.

Excellent and Expensive

It has three times the amount of vitamin C, unsaturated fatty acids, B vitamins, and it aids in repairing damaged skin cells and the scalp. Its properties create a barrier on the skin that protects against bacteria. Currently, it is mostly used in the production of body milk, ointments, masks, moisturizing creams, products for dry scalp and dandruff, soaps, gels, and shower milk.

However, do not expect to find these products in the first perfumery. Although the industry of camel milk cosmetic products, as well as the sale of camel milk, has significantly increased in the last ten years, it is an extremely expensive ingredient. A camel, in fact, cannot produce more than four liters of milk per day, unlike a cow, which can produce up to 30 liters. Likewise, for production needs, that is, larger quantities and transport, its instability in the pasteurization process had to be resolved. However, all countries that have camels or conditions for their breeding, especially African and Asian countries, such as the United Arab Emirates, as well as India, Australia, Korea, Colombia, and the USA, are entering this niche. And all of them now have a lot of work to do in restoring the population of these forgotten and long-neglected animals.