Colostrum is the first milk produced by mammals in the days following birth. Often called "liquid gold" for its golden hue and extraordinary composition, colostrum is rich in naturally occurring bioactive compounds that help the skin feel nourished, balanced and resilient. These include:

  • growth factors - proteins that help maintain skin structure and support renewal

  • peptides - short protein fragments that support skin's natural renewal

  • cytokines - messenger proteins that help coordinate skin responses and promote calm

  • humectants - water-loving molecules that attract and retain moisture

  • vitamins A,C and E - known for antioxidant and skin-supportive properties

  • minerals like zinc, calcium and magnesium - contribute to skin comfort and balance

Together, these elements work together to help the skin feel calm, resilient and well nourished, especially when it's prone to dryness or sensitivity.

What are the benefits of colostrum on the skin?

Reinforces the skin barrier

A2 colostrum contains bioactive compounds that help reinforce the skin's barrier function, supporting moisture retention and resilience against environmental stressors such as UV exposure, pollutions and climate extremes.

Delivers deep hydration

Naturally occurring humectants, peptides and healthy fats help attract and retain moisture, supporting skin hydration and comfort for a soft, supple feel.

Soothes sensitive or reactive skin


Calming compounds such as lactoferrin and cytokines help comfort sensitive skin and support its natural balance, ideal for skin that's delicate, reactive or vulnerable to environmental stressors.

Supports renewal and resilience


Bioactive compounds, including naturally occurring growth factors, encourage healthy cell turnover and help maintain a smooth, refined texture, supporting the skin's natural renewal and resilience over time.

Improves the appearance of skin elasticity


Naturally occurring growth factors present in colostrum, such as IGF-1 and TGF-β, are associated with collagen supporting activity, helping improve the appearance of skin elasticity and softening the look of fine lines for a firmer, more refined complexion over time.

Maintains a balanced skin microbiome


Prebiotic compounds (nutrients that support beneficial skin bacteria) help maintain a balanced skin microbiome, contributing to a healthy-looking skin ecosystem that's more resilient to everyday stressors.

At Elm Lab, our A2 colostrum is sourced ethically from grass-fed cows on our sixth-generation family farm in Otago, New Zealand. Every calf receives the full colostrum it needs to thrive. Only then, once nature has provided more than enough, do we carefully collect the natural oversupply.

We source exclusively from our A2-certified herd, reflecting our commitment to purity, compatibility and gentle formulations. This creates a skin-compatible ingredient designed to support comfort and hydration, especially for skin prone to dryness or sensitivity.

Once collected, the colostrum is immediately frozen to preserve its natural integrity. It's then transported in small batches to a specialist lab, where it's gently freeze-dried (lyophilised), a process that removes moisture while protecting the full spectrum of bioactive compounds. This powdered form gives us a pure, shelf stable ingredient, without the need for high heat processing.

From there, the colostrum is delivered to our New Zealand manufacturer, where it's rehydrated and blended into the base of every Elm Lab formulation, becoming the true foundation of our skin-nourishing products.

Although cosmetic regulations require ingredients to be listed by weight in their final form (meaning "aqua" appears first on our product labels), colostrum is our core ingredient. Once rehydrated, it makes up approximately 70% of our Hand Cream and Baby Lotion and 59% of our Baby Wash. It's not just an active, it's the heart of every formula.