Is Goat Milk Soap Good for Eczema?
What is Eczema? Eczema is patches of rough, reddened, intensely itchy skin can keep OVER 30Â MILLION PEOPLE SEARCHING FOR ANSWERS.
The internet is filled with claims from goat milk soap producers that their product will help eczema. Every producer will tell you that the soap is moisturizing unlike any other. But is that enough? Can these producers tell you WHY beyond the claim of non-drying? There really is science behind why eczema sufferers, as well as rosacea, psoriasis and other skin conditions can benefit from the internal and external use of goat milk.  But even with the science, not every product helps everyone. Especially if a compromised immune system from various illnesses is a known culprit. Yet for many, goat milk products have provided some measure of relief.
Why Goat Milk Soap Can Help with Eczema.
According to the Nation Eczema Society, eczema sufferers have skin that fails to produce enough fats or oils as needed and thus fails to retain highly valued ‘water’ in the tissues. This evaporation of moisture weakens the barrier function of the skin. Our skin works as both an entry point and a protective barrier. With a two-fold purpose, the water content & nutrient level of the skin is critical. Once the skin breaks down, cracks, splits or even develops redness or a rash, the door has been opened to a host of skin conditions. The longer the condition persists, the more likely long-term eczema can raise its ugly head and imbed itself.
Goat milk soap with its wondrous milk-fat helps nourish and strengthen the barrier function of the skin. We suggest using unscented goat milk soap. The nourishing oil base of the soap conditions and feeds (plumps) the epidermis and strengthens the barrier which consists of an intricate network of cells that are a defense mechanism or wall. Visualize old, dry weakened leather. Apply the Neat’s-foot oil and the leather is strengthened, pliable, elastic and renewed. Not so different from our own skin. But the lack of conditioning fats are not the only consideration. Repeated exposure to environmental irritants found in commercial shampoos, body washes, detergents and chemical disinfectants weaken healthy skin cells. High sodium content in these products pull moisture from the skin, weakening cell structure. This IS where it starts.
What else helps Eczema?
Compound this with poor modern day diets of processed, quick fix foods replete in sodium and preservatives, topped off with synthetic additives which add to our internal bio-load.  Natural remedies help avoid the side effects of prescription drugs, to say nothing of the cost and inconvenience of dermatological treatments. Soaps which do not contain high sodium content (count the number of times the word SODIUM in on the ingredient label) are always a better choice. Soaps HIGH in glycerides or milkfat are natural healers. (ie: goat milk) The natural fat of the goat milk consists of glycerides of stearic, palmitic and oleic fatty acids.
While we are not dietitians and do not advise on diet, we do find it fascinating that drinkers of goat milk (particularly raw goat milk) experience fewer skin conditions. We have also asked this question of our cattle, llama, and sheep friends. Of families who consume natural milk-based products, few have experienced skin -immune system issues. Coincidence? We think not.
Other products that may help eczema:
