If you haven’t noticed, the beauty industry is really obsessed with milk right now. Apparently, we want to smell like milk, drink raw milk and pour milky substances on our skin to look like glazed donuts.
Yes, Hailey Bieber was undoubtedly the catalyst for the craze. When Rhode came out with its Glazing Milk back in 2023, the product went viral overnight. But Hailey certainly wasn’t the first to make skin milk happen. Years earlier, French makeup artist Violette FR launched Boum-Boum Milk – a creamy, spray-on moisturiser – and years before that, supermodel Josie Maran made skin milk out of Argan oil.
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Like most skincare trends that blow up in the west, South Korea was doing it first. Skin milks, essences and ‘milky emulsions’ have been around since before Hailey Bieber was born, with brands like Laneige and Amore Pacific leading the charge in innovation.
I was lucky enough to try the viral Rhode Glazing Milk when a friend of mine was visiting from LA. Annoyingly, I fell in love with it. And since we still can’t buy Rhode in Australia, I’ve tried every alternative on offer. As a makeup artist and editor, here’s the best dupes I’ve found.
What exactly is a skin milk?
Put simply, a skin milk is a creamy, thin and lightweight moisturiser made up of water, humectants and oils. More hydrating than a serum and less greasy than a facial oil or cream, skin milks are often used as a ‘prep’ step to hydrate the skin, leaving minimal residue.
Why do I love them?
For makeup prep, skin milks are the ideal base for all skin types, even sensitive and combination skin. They don’t have the silicone-heavy ingredients a lot of moisturisers contain, which can cause makeup to ‘pill’ when applied over the top.
My favourite way to use skin milks is like a toner first – add a few drops or spritzes to a cotton pad and swipe over the face to buff away any flakey texture. Then, add more of the product like a moisturiser. It sinks in quickly and leaves the skin primed for sunscreen, tinted moisturiser or foundation.
Spray-on skin milks are also great to rehydrate your skin throughout the day without disturbing your makeup. Unlike water-based facial sprays that evaporate quickly (looking at you, Mario Badescu), skin milks contain nourishing ingredients to keep your skin barrier comfortable and protected.
The best skin milks available in Australia
Ilia The Base Face Milk
For all skin types
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Launched in 2024, the Ilia Face Base milk has also become the brand’s best-seller and a viral hit on TikTok, for good reason. I received a sample bottle of this (a whopping 100mls) months ago and have barely made a dent, even though I use it on just about every job. Vegan, fragrance-free and lightweight, it’s great for all skin types, even sensitive skin.
Get it here.
Violette Fr Boum-Boum Milk
For hydration on the go
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This spray-on, creamy moisturiser is gorgeous and refillable. I love packing it in my bag to use throughout the day – a must for the colder months or when you’re stuck in air conditioning all day.
Get it here.
Beauty of Joseon Glow Replenishing Rice Milk
For combination to oily skin
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Made from rice milk, a centuries-old skincare ingredient in Korea, this creamy essence sinks in quickly and provides instant hydration as well as sebum control. It’s also free of fragrance and essential oils, and includes amino acids and panthenol to strengthen the skin barrier.
Get it here.
Josie Maran Pure Argan Milk Treatment
For dry or combination skin
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I love using Argan oil on my hair, but always found it too rich for my face during the day. Josie Maran’s Pure Argan Milk Treatment is made by spinning the Argan oil with water really, really fast until it binds together in an emulsion – making it lightweight but super intensive. I love the original, but she’s just brought out a new version with SPF too.
Get it here.
Laneige Cream Skin Cerapeptide Toner and Moisturiser
The closest Rhode dupe
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This South Korean brand can do no wrong in my eyes. Velvety and nourishing, Laneige Cream Skin Cerapeptide is probably the closest dupe to Rhode Glazing Milk, ingredients-wise. It’s packed with hyaluronic acid and squalene to hydrate, and peptides and ceramides to strengthen the skin barrier. You can also transform the bottle into a mist and buy refills.
Get it here.
Tbh Rebound Skin Milk Activated Cica Toner
For sensitive, acne-prone skin
More of a hydrating toner than a moisturiser, Rebound’s Skin Milk contains Centella Asiatica and oat extract to calm irritated skin, making it ideal for sensitive or breakout-prone girlies.
Get it here.
For more on Rhode skincare dupes, try this.
This article As a makeup artist, here’s why I’m obsessed with skin milk appeared first on Fashion Journal.
2025-03-18 11:54:00
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