Apply cleansing milk on dry skin using circular motions, then remove with a damp cloth or rinse with lukewarm water. It gently cleanses without stripping natural oils, making it ideal for sensitive or dry skin. BR's Lait VIP O2 elevates this routine with oxygenating, detoxifying benefits.
Cleansing milk isn’t just a gentle cleanser, it’s an essential ritual for skin that needs calm, not chaos.
Whether your skin barrier is damaged, dry, or simply exhausted from city life, using the right milk cleanser, like Biologique Recherche’s Lait VIP O2, can rebalance and refresh without disruption. KarinaNYC clients often say their skin transforms when they finally use cleansing milk right.
In this guide, we’ll demystify how to use it effectively, why your previous attempts may not have worked, and how to choose the best formula for your skin’s needs. Let’s get your glow back, properly.
Cleansing Milk: The Skincare Staple You’re Probably Overlooking
I believe cleansing is the most overlooked step in skincare. Not just any cleanse, though. The right cleanse. And for many of my clients, that means one thing: cleansing milk.
Milk cleansers have quietly become the hero of high-performing, low-irritation skincare. Why?
Because most people are overdoing it with their cleansers, foaming, stripping, exfoliating daily, only to wonder why their skin feels tight, red, or suddenly sensitive.
A good milk cleanser changes that. It brings balance back. It softens, soothes, and yes, it actually cleans your skin.
Cleanser Types 101: Where Milk Fits In
Let’s break it down. There are many types of cleansers, each with its own vibe:
- Milk – Creamy, non-foaming, ultra-gentle. My go-to for nearly every skin instant.
- Gel – Lightweight and refreshing, often better for oilier types.
- Foam – Lathers up; can be fun but drying if you’re not careful.
- Oil – Great for melting off makeup, but not always right for sensitive skin.
- Micellar Water – A quick wipe-down, but rarely enough on its own.
- Balm – Thick and nourishing; can feel heavy or leave residue if misused.
The beauty of milk? It’s the Goldilocks of cleansers. Not too harsh, not too weak. Just right.
Why I recommend it: Cleansing milk doesn’t foam, and that’s the point. No sulfates, no stripping. Just a gentle, effective clean that protects your skin barrier while removing pollution, sweat, and light makeup.
For my clients with sensitive or post-procedure skin, it’s non-negotiable.
Cleansing Milk Myths: Busted By A Pro
I can’t tell you how many people underestimate cleansing milk. They see the creamy texture and think, “Oh, that’s not strong enough for me.”
But that couldn’t be further from the truth. Let’s clear this up:
- Creamy doesn’t mean weak. It means moisturizing.
- It doesn’t foam, because it doesn’t need to. It lifts impurities without robbing your skin of its oils.
- It respects your barrier. If your skin feels clean but calm afterward, that’s exactly what we want.
From Redness To Radiance: What Cleansing Milk Can Do
Clean doesn’t have to mean stripped. In fact, the “tight” feeling so many associate with a good cleanse is often your skin barrier begging for help.
That’s where cleansing milk comes in, especially if you’re using a high-performance formula like Lait VIP O2. Here’s why I recommend it again and again, whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned skincare devotee:
It’s Gentle, But It Works
Cleansing milk doesn’t foam, but don’t let that fool you. It lifts dirt, makeup, and pollution particles without disturbing your skin’s natural balance.
No squeaky-clean sensation, just soft, clean, nourished skin. And that’s the goal.
It Reduces Redness and Inflammation
I see a lot of sensitive, rosacea-prone, or allergy-reactive skin in my studio. For these clients, even a so-called “gentle” cleanser can trigger flare-ups.
Cleansing milk, especially BR’s formulations, is infused with calming botanicals that visibly reduce redness and soothe inflammation right from the first use.
📍Pro tip: If your skin feels hot, tight, or flushed after washing, you’re probably using the wrong cleanser.
It Protects Your Barrier (And Helps Repair It)
Your skin barrier is your first line of defense, and also the first thing to get damaged by pollution, harsh products, or over-cleansing. A well-formulated milk cleanser helps preserve that barrier by maintaining proper pH and moisture levels, instead of stripping away the lipids your skin needs.
It’s Ideal After Treatments
After microneedling, a peel, or a day in the sun, your skin is in a vulnerable state. It needs care, not confrontation.
I never let my clients use gel, foam, or exfoliating cleansers post-treatment. A milk cleanser is gentle enough to clean without causing micro-tears or irritation.
💡 If you’re investing in treatments, you need a cleanser that protects your investment.
You Can Use It Multiple Times A Day
Unlike harsher formulas, milk cleansers can be used more than once a day, morning, night, even mid-day if you need a refresh.
For those who live in cities, work out daily, or travel often, this makes all the difference.
A Step-By-Step Guide To Cleansing Milk That Actually Works
People buy the most luxurious cleanser, only to use it like it’s a foaming drugstore face wash.
Technique matters. When you use cleansing milk the right way, it doesn’t just clean your skin, it conditions it.
Here’s how I teach my clients to get the most out of every drop:
Step 1 – Start With Dry Skin
Don’t splash water on your face first. That’s one of the usual mistakes I see. Cleansing milk is meant to be massaged directly onto dry skin.
Why? Because you want it to bond with your skin’s oils, makeup, and impurities before introducing any water.
Step 2 – Apply The Cleanser
Pump or squeeze out a quarter-sized amount, don’t skimp. With clean, dry hands, apply it across your forehead, cheeks, nose, and chin. You’re not just smearing it; you’re preparing the skin for a proper cleanse.
Pro tip: If your skin is feeling especially dry or tight, you can warm the cleanser between your palms before applying. It makes the experience feel like a facial at home.
Step 3 – Massage In Circular Motions
Take your time here.
Use light, upward circular motions to work the milk into your skin for 30–60 seconds. Focus on the areas where buildup accumulates: nose folds, chin, hairline.
Why circular and upward? It boosts circulation, drains lymph, and reinforces elasticity. Think of it as skin training, not just cleansing.
Step 4 – Remove The Cleanser
You have options:
- Use a warm, damp cotton pad or muslin cloth
- Rinse with lukewarm water (never hot)
- Gently tissue it off if you're in a pinch
Can I Just Tissue It Off?
Technically, yes. But I always recommend a damp cloth for a cleaner finish, especially if you’re prepping for serums.
Also, avoid hot water. It can irritate or dehydrate the skin you’re trying to protect.
Get More From Your Cleanser: My Top Milk Cleansing Tricks
There’s a huge difference between using a product, and using it well.
I’ve seen it so many times: someone says their cleanser “didn’t work,” but it turns out they were using it like a foaming wash and rinsing it off before it even had time to do anything.
Let’s get that fixed. These are the practical, skin-changing tips I share with everyone I guide through a proper routine.
Avoid These Mistakes
💧 Using too little
This isn’t the time to be stingy. You need enough product to coat your skin evenly and allow for smooth, circular massage. Think quarter-sized, not pea-sized.
⏳ Rinsing too soon
Cleansing milk needs time to emulsify and bind to impurities. Rushing the process defeats its purpose. Take a full 30–60 seconds to massage before removing.
⚠️ Mixing with incompatible products
Layering cleansing milk with acids, foaming cleansers, or harsh toners immediately after can undo all its benefits. If your skin feels worse after cleansing, it’s often the combo that’s the problem, not the cleanser.
How To Use It In A Double Cleanse
If you wear SPF (you should) or makeup (same), double cleansing at night is non-negotiable. But not all double cleansing is created equal.
First Cleanse: Milk Cleanser
Start with your cleansing milk to dissolve sunscreen, makeup, and pollution particles. This is where Lait VIP O2 shines, it actively oxygenates and detoxifies the skin while cleansing.
Second Cleanse: Gel Or Acid-Based Cleanser (Optional)
If you have oily, acne-prone, or congested skin, a gentle second cleanse can help clear what the milk leaves behind. But if your skin is dry, reactive, or healing, stick to the milk and follow with toner or serum instead.
Will Cleansing Milk Remove Sunscreen?
Absolutely, especially when it’s Lait VIP O2. It’s formulated to tackle pollution particles and SPF residue while boosting skin glow.
Add-Ons For Barrier Support
Pairing your cleansing milk with targeted barrier-repair products is the KarinaNYC difference, it’s how we get results others don’t.
Creme Masque Vernix VG
A cult favorite in my clinic. Use it post-cleansing as an overnight mask to rebuild a damaged barrier and deeply nourish the skin.
Serum T.E.W.L.
After your cleansing milk and moisturizer, this serum seals everything in with a breathable lipid shield. Think of it as your skin’s armor, especially in winter or after treatments.
How To Choose The Right Br Milk Cleanser For Your Skin
Biologique Recherche doesn’t just make cleansers, they craft targeted skin therapies in liquid form.
Their Lait line is a masterclass in precision cleansing. Each formula is designed not just for a skin type, but for a specific skin instant, that unique combination of condition, environment, and season you’re living in right now.
Let’s break down the four stars of the collection.
Lait VIP O2
For dull, devitalized, or pollution-exposed skin, the urban rescue cleanser
This one is truly special. Powered by BR’s exclusive Oxygenating Complex, Lait VIP O2 doesn’t just cleanse, it revives. It removes makeup, detoxifies skin stressed by environmental aggressors, and visibly boosts radiance with every use.
💡 Perfect for those who live in cities, wear SPF daily, or feel like their skin never fully “wakes up.” Bonus: It pairs beautifully with Masque VIP O2 for a radiant finish.
Lait E.V.
For dry, mature, or depleted skin
This formula is enriched with cellular oligopeptides and essential vitamins that deeply nourish the skin. I love this one for women in perimenopause or anyone whose skin feels “tired,” flaky, or paper-thin. It’s comforting without being greasy, and it leaves the skin plush and luminous.
💡 Ideal after travel, sun exposure, or seasonal transitions when skin needs more nutrition and less stimulation.
Lait Dermo-S
For ultra-sensitive, reactive, or barrier-damaged skin
This is our studio’s go-to for redness, post-procedure skin, or clients who’ve done too much for too long (you know who you are). Lait Dermo-S calms on contact.
It’s fragrance-free, ultra-gentle, and formulated to bring the skin back to a place of peace. If your skin burns when you apply water, this is where we begin.
Lait S.R.
For oily, congested, or breakout-prone skin
This formula is designed to purify without stripping, ideal if you deal with shine, visible pores, or skin that feels constantly imbalanced. Lait S.R. removes excess sebum, unclogs buildup, and leaves the skin clean, calm, and visibly smoother.
Unlike harsh cleansers that trigger rebound oil production, this one respects your skin's rhythm.
💡 Great for those managing hormonal breakouts or clogged pores, especially when paired with Lotion P50 for gentle daily exfoliation.
A Word To The Glow-Obsessed: Karinanyc Has Your Fix
I’ve been doing this long enough to know, when your skin isn’t responding the way it should, it’s not always about the product. It’s about the routine, the timing, and yes… the mix.
Skincare is personal. That’s why my clients don’t just get product recommendations, they get an entire skin strategy.
If You’re Struggling With…
- Skin that looks dull or red despite your routine
- Feeling unsure if you're using milk cleansers right
- Seeing no change even with “good” skincare
You’re not doing anything wrong. You’re just missing the right support.
At KarinaNYC, we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all skincare. We believe in rituals tailored to your skin’s current state, your instant. That’s why our Lait VIP O2 clients get better results: they pair the right product with the right guidance.
Karina’s Solutions for Better Cleansing Milk Results
🌬️ Lait VIP O2 Cleanser
Our best-selling cleanser for a reason. It oxygenates, detoxifies, and brings tired, stressed skin back to life, gently. If you live in a city or deal with chronic redness, this is your new holy grail.
💧 Free 1-on-1 Consultation
Let’s stop guessing. Book a consultation with our team, and we’ll build a routine based on your skin, no more wasted products, no more skin confusion.
🧴 Barrier-Repair Add-Ons (Masque Vernix or Toleskin)
These aren’t just add-ons, they’re glow amplifiers. When paired with your milk cleanser, they lock in hydration, reduce inflammation, and help every step that follows work even better.
Skincare isn’t just about products, it’s about how you use them.
If you're ready to stop spinning your wheels and start seeing real results, I’m here. My skin is better today than it was 25 years ago, and it’s not magic. It’s just the right mix, used the right way.
