Is Milk Good For Hair? Benefits And How To Apply

Learn about all the wonderful things milk can do as a hair care ingredient.

Reviewed by Madison Dufour, Barber & Cosmetologist Madison Dufour Madison DufourBarber & Cosmetologist facebook_iconlinkedin_iconinsta_icon
Written by Jyotsana Rao, BE Jyotsana Rao BE linkedin_icon Experience: 4 years
Edited by Anjali Sayee, BTech Anjali Sayee BTech linkedin_icon Experience: 7 years
Fact-checked by Krati Darak, MBA, Certified Skin Care Coach Krati Darak MBA, Certified Skin Care Coach linkedin_icon Experience: 3 years
Last Updated on
✔ Evidence Based

StyleCraze believes in credibility and giving our readers access to authentic and evidence-based content. Our stringent editorial guidelines allow us to only cite from reputed research institutions, academic journals, and medically established studies. If you discover any discrepancy in our content, you may contact us.

Milk is a popular traditional hair care remedy used to soften and condition hair. But the benefits of milk for hair don’t end there. It is also said to reduce split ends and manage dryness. Milk may also curb frizz, smoothen hair, and improve hair texture. It can also be paired with other ingredients like eggs and fruits to make hair masks and packs. Using these masks replenishes hair and offers a visible transformation in your hair condition. Keep reading to explore the benefits of using milk on your hair and understand how to use it effectively.

protip_icon Trivia
It is believed that queen Cleopatra bathed in milk daily to keep her skin and hair nourished and healthy.

Types Of Milk

Different types of milk offer unique benefits for your hair. Here are five types of milk:

1. Cow Milk

Cow milk is rich in protein and essential vitamins like vitamin D and calcium that help strengthen your hair and promote healthy growth (1)(2).

2. Almond Milk

Almond milk, with its light texture and nutty flavor, is a popular dairy alternative and also a great option for your hair. It contains zinc that helps nourishes the scalp, improves hair texture, and prevents hair loss (1)(3).

3. Coconut Milk

Coconut milk is known for its rich, creamy consistency and high-fat content. This makes it a fantastic natural conditioner, adding shine and softness to your hair. It’s packed with vitamins C and E, promoting a healthy scalp and hair growth (1)(4).

4. Oat Milk

Oat milk is an ideal choice for those with hair prone to dryness. It may help make your hair feel softer, smoother, and less frizzy.
Each type of milk brings its own set of benefits, so choosing the right one can depend on your hair’s specific needs. Read on to learn more on the benefits of applying milk on your hair.

Key Takeaways

  • The Nourishing properties of milk may help improve hair texture and manage frizz.
  • It may also control hair loss, minimize split ends, and deeply condition your tresses.
  • You can use milk as a hair wash or use it as a spray.
  • You can also add it to hair masks to enhance their benefits.

Benefits Of Applying Milk On The Hair

Milk is rich in proteins, vitamins, and antioxidants and is beneficial for health (5). It is often used in traditional recipes to keep the hair soft and smooth. While there is no scientific evidence to prove the efficacy of topical application of milk for the hair, anecdotal evidence claims that it conditions the hair and restores its natural shine. It may also reduce split ends, manage dryness, and provide hydration to stimulate hair growth and improve strength. Let’s check out the other benefits of washing your hair with milk.

1. Reduces Split Ends

Woman showing her split ends
Image: Shutterstock

Excessive exposure to UV rays can damage your hair, affect the hair color and shaft’s integrity, and cause protein loss (6) This may make your hair brittle and cause split ends. Applying milk and milk cream can moisturize the hair and minimize split ends.

2. Conditions The Hair

Woman upset with frizzy hair
Image: Shutterstock

If you have dry and frizzy hair, you can wash your hair with milk. The cream in milk smoothens the hair cuticles, moisturizes the strands, nourishes the scalp with milk nutrients, and works as a deep conditioner to keep your hair manageable, soft, and smooth.

3. May Help Control Hair Loss

Woman concerned about hair loss
Image: Shutterstock

If you want to try applying milk to your hair and see if it works for your hair type, you can follow the methods discussed below.

4. May Offer A Straightened Look To The Hair

Milk does not help in straightening curly hair, but it may help improve its texture and reduce frizz. Though it is not scientifically proven, the proteins present in milk are said to also help nourish the scalp and hair, which may make it appear smoother.

5. May Help Reduce Dandruff

Milk and its products may help improve the health of the scalp and hair. They often serve as moisturizers, aiming to restore and enhance the scalp and hair (7). Thus, it may help soothe the scalp and reduce dandruff. However, more research is warranted in this regard.
If you are wondering how to draw these benefits from milk and how to incorporate it in your hair care routine, check out the section below!

How To Apply Milk On Hair

Note:

Use full cream milk or coconut milk for maximum hair benefits (if you are allergic to milk)

1. Milk As Hair Wash
Woman pouring milk over her hair
Image: Shutterstock

You Will Need

  • 200-300 ml of milk

Method

  1. Detangle your clean and dry hair with a wide-toothed comb.
  2. Pour and massage the milk into your hair and scalp.
  3. Leave it on for 30 minutes.
  4. Wash off with a mild cleanser.
  5. Let it air dry.
2. Milk As Spray
Woman spritizing her hair with milk
Image: Shutterstock

You Will Need

  • 200-300 ml of raw milk
  • A spray bottle

Method

  1. Pour the milk into the spray bottle. Adjust the quantity as per your hair length.
  2. Detangle your hair with a wide-toothed comb and section it.
  3. Spray the milk covering your hair from root to tip.
  4. Repeat with all the strands.
  5. Leave it on for 10-15 minutes and rinse thoroughly with water.
  6. You may use a mild shampoo to wash your hair.

3) DIY Milk-Based Hair Masks

a). Milk + Egg Hair Mask

Combining eggs with nutrient-rich milk creates a perfect hair mask for silky, lustrous tresses (8).

What You Need

  • 2 eggs
  • ½ cup milk
  • A few drops of lemon juice

Method

  1. Break two eggs in a bowl.
  2. Add half a cup of milk and whisk until well combined.
  3. Add a few drops of lemon juice and mix.
  4. Apply the mask to your hair, ensuring it covers from root to tip.
  5. Let it sit for 30-40 minutes.
  6. Rinse thoroughly and wash with a sweet-smelling shampoo.
  7. Use this mask once a week for naturally glossy hair.

b). Banana Milkshake Hair Mask

Bananas and milk are incredibly moisturizing and can bring your dry hair back to life (9).

You Will Need

  • 1 ripe banana
  • 1/2 cup milk

Method

  1. Blend the banana and milk until smooth.
  2. Apply the mixture to your hair, from roots to tips.
  3. Leave it on for 30 minutes.
  4. Rinse with a mild shampoo.
  5. Repeat twice a week for soft, luscious hair.

Deepthi, a blogger, tried using milk mixed with honey on her hair to improve her hair health. She was very happy with the outcome. She said, “I am quite happy with the results. My hair feels soft, smooth, healthy, and more hydrated than ever (i).”

protip_icon Quick Tip
You can make a DIY hair mask by blending a ripe banana with half a cup of milk. Apply it to your hair, leave it on for 30 minutes, and shampoo your hair.

Infographic: Amazing Benefits Of Applying Milk To The Hair

Milk is rich in proteins and antioxidants that offer many benefits. This traditional hair care remedy is used to condition and smoothen the hair. Applying milk to the hair minimizes split ends, nourishes the hair, and reduces hair loss. Check out the infographic below to learn more about the amazing benefits of applying milk to the hair.

amazing benefits of applying milk on the hair(infographic)

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

The topical application of milk or its cream is believed to moisturize and condition the hair, thus eliminating the risk of split ends and dryness. Traditionally, it has been a common ingredient in hair masks and packs and used along with other ingredients like egg, fruits, and coconut milk to improve hair texture and shine. Therefore, use this natural and cost-effective remedy to give your hair the right nourishment and pampering. However, if you are allergic to milk, do not use it or go for alternatives like coconut milk.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can we apply milk to hair daily?

Yes, you can apply milk as a pre-wash treatment for an hour daily for soft and smooth hair.

Does milk cause gray hair?

No, milk does not cause gray hair. Gray hair may be caused by vitamin deficiencies (10). Milk contains essential vitamins and minerals which may slow down the graying of your hair (11).

Does milk increase dandruff?

Milk is rich in vitamins and minerals that may hydrate the scalp which may keep dandruff at bay.

Can we apply milk on oily hair?

Milk is rich in fat which may make your oily hair look more greasy. You will have to shampoo well afterwards if you apply milk on your hair.

Illustration: Is Milk Good For Hair? Benefits And How To Apply

Benefits of milk for hair

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Learn how to apply milk to your scalp to cleanse hair follicles and give your hair a natural, healthy shine! Get tips on the best way to use milk for hair treatments in the video below.

Personal Experience: Source

References

Articles on StyleCraze are backed by verified information from peer-reviewed and academic research papers, reputed organizations, research institutions, and medical associations to ensure accuracy and relevance. Read our editorial policy to learn more.

  1. The Role of Vitamins and Minerals in Hair Loss: A Review
    https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6380979/
  2. Using the Nutrition Facts Label to Choose Milk and Plant-Based Beverages
    https://www.fda.gov/food/nutrition-education-resources-materials/using-nutrition-facts-label-choose-milk-and-plant-based-beverages
  3. Almond milk, unsweetened, plain, refrigerated
    https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/food-details/2257045/nutrients
  4. Nutritional and therapeutic benefits of coconut milk and its potential as a plant-based functional yogurt alternative: a review
    https://www.researchgate.net/publication/378507995_Nutritional_and_therapeutic_benefits_of_coconut_milk_and_its_potential_as_a_plant-based_functional_yogurt_alternative_a_review
  5. Antioxidant properties of Milk and dairy products: a comprehensive review of the current knowledge
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6362592/
  6. UV damage of the hair
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19138021/
  7. Ethnopharmacological survey of home remedies used for treatment of hair and scalp and their methods of preparation in the West Bank-Palestine
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5499037/
  8. Naturally Occurring Hair Growth Peptide: Water-Soluble Chicken Egg Yolk Peptides Stimulate Hair Growth Through Induction of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Production
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29583066/
  9. Hair growth-promotion effects and antioxidant activity of the banana flower extract HappyAngel®: double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
    https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213453023000435#
  10. Three Streams for the Mechanism of Hair Graying
    https://www.researchgate.net/publication/326122085_Three_Streams_for_the_Mechanism_of_Hair_Graying
  11. Milk, whole
    https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/1097512/nutrients
Was this article helpful?
thumbsupthumbsdown
disqus_comment

Community Experiences

Join the conversation and become a part of our empowering community! Share your stories, experiences, and insights to connect with other beauty, lifestyle, and health enthusiasts.

Madison Dufour
Madison DufourBarber & Cosmetologist
Madison Dufour is a licensed and practicing barber and cosmetologist with 10 years of experience, as well as an entrepreneur running several hair businesses, including MadisonD Barbering and The Exquisite Find Hair Blog. After working behind the chair for several years, she felt the calling to start the non-profit Barber in a Bag that teaches basic hair cutting skills in street and slum communities in South America.

Read full bio of Madison Dufour
Jyotsana Rao
Jyotsana RaoBeauty & Lifestyle Writer
Jyotsana Rao is an engineering graduate from NIT, Nagpur, who discovered her love for writing during her undergraduate days. She is passionate about writing about everything related to beauty - makeup, fashion, hairstyles, skin care, or hair care and has 4 years of experience on writing in these genres.

Read full bio of Jyotsana Rao
Anjali Sayee
Anjali SayeeAssociate Editor
Anjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy about hair and skin care is simple: if you love and care for it, it will be healthy.

Read full bio of Anjali Sayee
Krati Darak
Krati DarakAssociate Commerce Editor
Krati is an associate commerce editor, a certified skin care coach, and a beauty enthusiast. She has a master’s degree in advertising and publishing relations from DAVV University and three years of experience in writing and editing for different niches.

Read full bio of Krati Darak
AFS