'People call me a cow for using this ingredient in my handmade soap'

"Now companies will hire women unethically to follow this trend," one troll accused.

Belle Lucia makes her own soap and the internet has gone wild. Source: TikTok

An Aussie mum has sparked controversy online for her latest project - despite her just being resourceful during this cost-of-living crisis.

Influencer Belle Lucia shared a video about making soap from her breast milk, leading to a wild comments section about the uncommon - but not unheard of - practice. 

Belle starts her video by saying, "Come make soap from my [milk cup emoji]," holding a handful of syringes containing her colostrum. 

The mum of two starts her soap-making by grating a bar of soap into a bowl. She then adds her colostrum, frozen breastmilk, and coconut oil. At one point, she seems put off when the colostrum squirts and sprays on her, which is ironic given that she's about to use it in the soap.

Once the mixture is melted, she pours it into rose-shaped moulds. Belle is proud of her creation; but not everyone loved it.

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"I nearly cried throwing mine out"

The video has since gone viral, mostly because of the backlash to the unconventional ingredient - and even though saving money on beauty products makes sense during a cost-of-living crisis.

But first, there were many who loved the mum's resourcefulness.

" I love this. It will be amazing for the skin," one viewer wrote. 

"But let's all buy goat's milk and find that completely normal! But human milk?! God forbid," another added in solidarity. 

This mum agreed: "Oh my goodness, I love this idea! I nearly cried throwing mine out."

"IDK why everyone is going nuts, but it's actually beneficial for the baby's skin and what doctors recommend," another cheered. 

"Honestly, drink it if you're not weirded out by it! Maximum superfood," was a different perspective. 

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"Women are cows"

Then came the pearl clutchers with these wild exchanges. 

"And you get mad when males say women are cows," one troll wrote.

Belle responded, "Every mammal lactates, not just cows, so it's quite rudimentary to call women cows. It's like calling us lions because they also lactate."

And yet another had to write: "Now companies will hire women -unethically- to make a f*king breast milk soap cuz it's a trend and controversial -thanks to you."

Belle clapped back, "It's not a trend. Breast milk has been used since the dawn of time for rashes, wounds, and infections; it has antibacterial properties. You can learn about it if you want. The ancient Greeks and Egyptians used it, and it is written in historical documents, not controversial."

After the hysteria died down, the new mum shared in a follow-up comment that the soap she made was used for her baby's skin. 

For more information on breastmilk, see The Raising Children's Network, or postpartum carer.

Originally published as 'People call me a cow for using this ingredient in my handmade soap'