Photography by Casey Skilbeck
Krishna Chan
Mylk & Butter
A creator whose hands bring beauty to life, a healer who mends more than skin, and an artist who composes melodies not just for the ears, but for the soul. This is the captivating story of Krishna Chan.
‘A Natural Symphony’
Her journey, woven with threads of challenge and triumph, has birthed something extraordinary—a sanctuary called Mylk & Butter, where modernity and ancient wisdom entwine like the roots of an eternal tree.
I have watched Krishna since the days of her childhood, when her tiny feet wandered the sacred soil of her spiritual master’s ashram in Northern India. Even then, she had an aura of curiosity, a quiet spark that seemed to absorb the world’s mysteries. It was here, amidst the scent of sesame oil and the hum of ancient chants, that the seeds of her purpose were planted.
The women she observed—graceful, deliberate in their rituals—seemed to treat their daily routines as acts of devotion. Tongue scraping, hair oiling, massaging the skin with herbal infusions—it was not vanity, but reverence. Little Krishna would watch, wide-eyed, as they anointed their bodies and hair with oils infused with neem, brahmi, and bhringaraj, whispering prayers of healing and balance.
Years later, in a faraway city alive with neon lights and ceaseless motion, I saw Krishna’s spirit become restless. Hong Kong was her home, but it did not hold the peace of her early years. She moved to Melbourne when she was 12 and have stayed there ever since.
The rhythm of life quickened, then faltered, as siginificant personal challenges in 2019 and the global pandemic in 2020 reshaped the world—and her world, most of all. For many, these storms would have been a reason to retreat. But for Krishna, they were the catalyst to begin anew. She dared to ask herself, “What truly matters?” And so, Mylk & Butter was born—not just as a skincare brand, but as a bridge between past and present, a vehicle to share healing and connection.
When Krishna crafts her products, I am there, marveling at the alchemy of her work. To her, creating is a symphony. Just as her fingers glide across piano keys to conjure melody, so too do they blend oils and herbs with precision and love. Her Lumière Blue Light Defence Face Oil, for instance, is more than a formula. It is a story of resilience, born from her struggles with psoriasis and acne, a testament to the body’s ability to heal when nourished with patience and care. The oil, with its delicate notes of blueberry seed and blue German chamomile, carries with it Krishna’s hope for others to rediscover their own radiance.
But it is not just about skin. Oh, no. Krishna’s work is an invocation of the divine feminine, a reclamation of rituals that honor the body as sacred. Her Le Sensuelle Body & Massage Oil, infused with damiana—a plant both humble and intoxicating—whispers to women, “You are a goddess.” I have seen her warm the oil in her hands, the fragrant blend shimmering like liquid sunlight, and massage it into her skin with a smile that speaks of self-love rediscovered.
Krishna’s connection to crystals and energy healing adds another dimension to her creations. It is a legacy passed down by her mother, a woman who taught her to see the unseen forces of the world. Feng shui, qi gong, Reiki—all these practices have shaped Krishna’s journey, guiding her toward a deeper understanding of balance and harmony. Through Mylk & Butter, she shares these lessons, inviting women to slow down, to breathe, and to find stillness in the midst of life’s chaos.
And yet, Krishna’s days are far from still. I have watched her juggle the demands of motherhood, music, and business with a grace that amazes me. Her mornings begin with the gentle spritz of Blue Lotus Face Mist, a moment of calm before the whirlwind begins. She spends her days crafting, teaching piano, and nurturing her family, carving out time for meditation and salsa dancing to keep her spirit alight. She is a living testament to the power of mindful rituals, showing women everywhere that self-care need not be extravagant to be transformative.
Through it all, Krishna remains anchored by her values: family, love, art, spirituality, and the earth. Her commitment to sustainability is unwavering—each product is a love letter to the planet, from the ethically sourced oils to the environmentally conscious packaging. She has partnered with organizations like Impact for Women, providing essentials to survivors of domestic violence, and Greenspark, planting trees with every purchase. Her work is not just about beauty; it is about giving back, about creating ripples of kindness in the vast ocean of humanity.
I continue to flow through her life, weaving her passions together. As she plays the piano, I linger in the spaces between notes, where the soul speaks its truth. As she formulates her oils, I guide her hands, reminding her of the wisdom passed down from her ancestors. And as she nurtures her daughter, I smile, knowing that Krishna is teaching the next generation not just how to care for their skin, but how to honor their bodies, minds, and spirits.
Krishna’s story is one of resilience, creativity, and connection. It is a reminder that even in the face of challenges, we can choose to create something beautiful. And through Mylk & Butter, she offers this beauty to the world—not as a product, but as an invitation. An invitation to pause, to reflect, and to rediscover the sacred in the everyday.
The full story appears in our upcoming Meaning Living special
Photography by: @CaseySkilbeck
