• Simy Arun launched donkey milk soaps six months back and is amazed by the response. She got curious about it when she heard about donkeys being reared in Ramamangalam near Kochi. “It is the star ingredient of cosmetics and skin care products. Cleopatra and her use of donkey milk as part of her beauty regimen is the stuff of legend. It has several benefits — loaded with proteins, minerals, vitamins and low fat. It’s very similar to breast milk.” She sources milk from Tamil Nadu, which is very expensive at ₹5,000-₹7,000 per litre as donkeys do not produce large quantities; she makes soaps based on the availability of milk. Like with goat milk, she uses the cold-press method.