"Bathing accessories segment hold the highest revenue share in the market; however, market for other goat milk cosmetics products such as lip balm and shaving cream is expected to observe the highest growth rate at a CAGR of 8.99% (by value) during 2022-2027, due to the increasing demand for these products in the market" (Businesswire, 2022). Goat milk is demanded for its humectant, moisturizing, and even it’s exfoliating properties. Goat milk is known for its fat component that not only produces lather but also nourishing properties. But, while marveling at the beautiful white, soapy bubbles in the shower, it’s easy to forget that the process does not embody the same purity or prettiness.
When goat milk is used for consumption and cosmetics, exploition inevitably occurs. Goat milk is not a more humane option. Like cows, young female goats are artificially inseminated and impregnated. Like any mother, the goat wants to nurse afterwards, but instead, her milk is taken for human consumption (Humane League, 2022). And within a few hours or days, the baby goat is taken away. If she is female, she will endure the same process as her mother. If he is male, he will be sold as meat no later than 3-5 months after being born (Humane League, 2022).
With goat milk cosmetics increasing in popularity, this inhumane process will only perpetuate itself. It’s up to consumers like us to choose healthier and cruelty-free options that have the same ability to nourish, hydrate, and clean our skin.
Although the protein found in dairy milk, casein, is a substantive film-former that immediately increases skin hydration and improves the skin’s moisture, even in rinse-off applications, there are plant-based options that do just the same (WebMD).
Coconut Milk Soap and Lotion
Coconut milk does fabulously when turned into soap. Coconut milk is fatty so it saponifies (soaps up) along with the rest of your oils, nourishing the skin. The sugars within coconut milk also create lather and those creamy bubbles. Moreover, if you suffer from dry or irritated skin, coconut soap could be an amazing option for you since it is packed with vitamin C and E. This is great for skin elasticity and support. And furthermore, it is affordable. If you want to take a milk bath or condition your hair, the average price of canned coconut milk is under $2.50 versus goat milk which is $4-$5 for a quart. Plus, when using canned coconut milk for a bath, there is less of chance that it will be wasted. About 128 million tons of dairy milk is wasted each year (Mercy for Animals, 2018.)
Hemp Milk Soap and Lotion
Photocred: Kinder Earth
Hemp soap is a wonderful moisturizer. Hemp soap also contains those skin-loving fatty acids that help retain moisture. When it is paired with hyaluronic acid or other humectants, it does even greater work for your skin. Whilst exfoliating as well, hemp soap replenish the skin’s oil without clogging the pores.
Oatmeal soap and lotion
Photocred: Tweak and Tinker
Oatmeal is a natural exfoliant, and is proven by science to help with dry skin conditions like eczema. Oatmeal contains beta-glucans which are important part of collagen production and rebuilding the skin barrier. Oatmeal products are also an emollient which means they not only moisturize deeper layers of the skin but they seal it in without feeling greasy.
Vegan Lactic Acid
The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA -$8
Finally, goat milk is demanded because of the exfoliating lactic acid component. However, skincare companies are well-capable of using plant-based or synthetic lactic acid. Synthetic lactic acid is actually more stable, meaning that the skincare formula it’s in is less likely to go rancid or break out the skin.Synthetic cosmetics almost always have a longer shelf life than their all-natural counterparts. That means less packaging waste (Goldn).
So, knowing this, the choice is truly left up to the consumer. Do you want to choose the more stable, affordable, and cruelty-free option?
Sources:
https://thehumaneleague.org/article/goat-dairy
https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-1575/casein-protein