Swiss firm Eurolactis is currently the only company with a vertically integrated supply chain solely focused on the production of donkey milk, and according to its’ founder, Pierluigi Orunesu, the European markets have always been influenced by this tradition, but it’s the demand for donkey milk in the Asian markets that is really starting to take off.
“We have seen an increase in demand for donkey milk as a cosmetic active by 20-25% per year in the last 10 years from Asia. One of the companies we supply to in particular - French firm Câlinesse, has seen huge success after expanding into the region back in 2011 with their cosmetics line,” he tells CosmeticsDesign-Asia.com.
"So, I am also convinced that the region is starting to come around to the idea and we will see a knock on effect in terms of demand, especially in South Korea,” he adds.
Other cosmetic brands the company currently supplies donkey milk to on the AP region includes Le Secret Naturel Gifferine in Thailand and Neone Creation Japan.
AP region milking the benefits...
According to Orunesu, today's scientific community considers donkey milk to be an incomparable substitute for human mother's milk, as well as a natural product possessing rich dietary and cosmetic properties.
"It is also clearly recommended in the Compendium of Materia Medica the ancient Masterpiece on traditional Chinese medicine, which is considered one of the key achievements of ancient Chinese civilization for its wealth of information on medicine," he informs this publication.
In terms of the type of products likely to feature this milk as an ingredient, the CEO says the Chinese are currently using it as an anti-ager, partially due to its properties such as Omega 6 and large number of vitamins.
Orunesu reveals that the milk is ideal for cosmetics as the vitamin A present is crucial for cell membrane recovery and facilitates skin regeneration, whilst the vitamin C present plays an anti-oxidant role, and can slow down the ageing process and accelerate the recovery mechanisms.
"We have had impressive results so far with our dermo‐cosmetic product Onalat Cream and cosmetic range Câlinesse in the prevention of skin diseases such as eczema and psoriasis," the milk supplier concludes.