How To Get Rid of Milia
Ever found you have a flare-up of small white bumps that appear around the eyes and cheeks? They may look like whiteheads but are very different, as confusing as it can be there are some ways you can tell what exactly you are dealing with and the best ways of looking after your skin whilst safely getting rid of milia.
What is milia?
Milium are small, white cyst like bumps that usually appear around the nose, cheeks and under eye area. When there are multiple milium cysts they are called milia and as mentioned they may look a little like the blemishes known as whiteheads. They appear small and done-shaped but rarely cause discomfort, however for some may find they become irritated especially when frequently exposed to rough pillowcases or towels. There are a few ways you can experience milia:
Blistering of the skin due to skin conditions such as epidermolysis bullosa
Contact with irritating plants such as poison ivy
Long-term use of steroid cream
Long-term sun damage
Results of skin resurfacing procedures such as dermabrasion and laser resurfacing
Surface burns and burn related wounds
You may also find that milia becomes a more regular occurrence as we age, this is a result of the skin losing its ability to naturally exfoliate itself and there is a build-up in dead skin cells, dirt, bacteria and impurities.
There are many different types of milia, for example you may have heard of infants being born with “baby acne” which is linked to the hormones from their mothers and generally disappears two-four weeks after birth. The other main types are firstly formed when the natural keratin found in the body becomes trapped and develop into cysts and the second is a result after there is an injury to the skin surface such as a burn or blistering that causes the pores to become clogged.
How do I get rid of milia on my face?
Quite often what you will find is milia disappear over time on the own accord, however if you are wanting a more rapid result, there are a few at home habits you can use to keep the skin clear.
Cleanse daily- Use a gentle, non-foaming cleanser daily to keep the skin clean of any impurities that come into contact with the skin on a daily basis.
Gentle exfoliation- Use an exfoliating toner containing either an AHA such as glycolic acid or BHA salicylic acid depending on your skin type to slough away the build-up of dead skin cells, excess sebum and other forms of bacteria. Be careful not to over-exfoliate as this can lead to the skin becoming irritated and stripped of vital oils and water.
Daily SPF- Applying a daily SPF will keep your skin protected from any further damage caused by exposure to UV rays and other environmental aggressors.
Do not squeeze- As mentioned before, these may look a little like spots, but it is best not to pick or squeeze them as this can result in infection and scarring on the surface of the skin.
Avoid heavy products- Anything with a thick cream, or oil base can often cause more milium, by switching to a light-weight gel-based products will keep your skin hydrated and free of further flare-ups.
Apply face masks- Using a clay face mask two- three times a week will detox the skin and clear it of any remaining impurities sitting on the surface of the skin. By removing this barrier on the skin you will find the products you apply afterwards absorb more effectively.
Skin peels- professional treatments such as skin peels will remove the outer surface of dead skin cells leaving you with fresh, new glowing skin and no sign of milia.
By sticking to this simple routine you will find any problems you have with milia are reduced and further outbreaks will become less likely to occur.
What causes milia under eyes?
The causes of milia under the eyes are the same as anywhere on the skin. If left alone they will also disappear over time but if you are wanting professional treatment you can consult with a dermatologist who will suggest one of the following:
Deroofing- this is performed with a sterilised needle used to carefully remove the milia
Cryotherapy- liquid nitrogen freezes the milia, great option for the cheeks and nose, but isn’t usually recommended for the eye area
Laser ablation- small laser is used to open the cysts and rid them of the keratin build-up.
There are also some things you can try at home to keep milia at bay, such as the following:
Regularly clean and moisturise the skin to keep the skin hydrated and healthy encouraging the new skin cells to come to make their way to the surface of the skin and loosen the keratin trapped under the surface of the millia.
Use a serum formulated for the under-eye area enriched in vitamin E and A will with exfoliate the skin as well as deeply nourishing it.
Apply eye masks enriched in hyaluronic acid two to three times a week to lock moisture in and keep it hydrated.
There you have some of the best professional treatments and skincare products to use in your daily routine that will help maintain the health of your under eye and prevent any milia developing.
What happens if you pop milia?
Unlike spots and whiteheads, milium don’t have an opening onto the skin surface. Any attempts of squeezing and popping them will not have the same results as spots but will instead lead to redness, inflammation and scarring on the skin. This will lead to them remaining on the surface for a considerably longer amount of time compared to if you would either leave them to disappear on their own, or by using the suggested treatment and products I’ve already mentioned.
Do milia go away?
As bothersome as milium can be it’s common for the cysts to clear up overtime. For babies you can expect them to clear-up within a few weeks, compared to older children and adults as this can take a few months. Just remembering to keep the skin clean and looked after with a selection of nourishing and effective skincare formulations, you’ll be rid of milia in no time. If you find the milium to not respond to any of these suggestions and products after a number of weeks it may be an idea to seek the help from a doctor or dermatologist to look into further professional skin treatments.
Don’t forget if you have any more questions about milia or other skin concerns you can find me over on Procoal’s Instagram, come and join the skin chat.
DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.
