Milk really does condition skin.

FORBES: Getting Milked

Many of the faithful carry offerings of milk in paal kudam (milk pots) often connected to their skin by hooks.

BBC: Malaysia's Thaipusam festival

But milk is being hyped as a key ingredient in some new fast-selling skin and bath products from Caswell-Massey, Avon, Almay and other companies.

FORBES: Getting Milked