Gel formulas can effectively firm skin and reduce fine lines without encouraging milia. Look for ingredients like peptides, vitamin A and niacinamide.
Glycolic acid. Here's why: Glycolic acid is one of the most effective and efficient ingredients to use for exfoliating skin. Its tiny Alpha Hydroxy Acid molecules penetrate and dissolve the outermost (and usually most damaged) layer of skin cells.
Niacinamide has anti-inflammatory properties. Since acne is an inflammatory condition, that inflammation often leads to numerous pimples with delayed healing and acne scarring. Niacinamide can reduce the overall inflammatory response, resulting in fewer pimples.
Regular exfoliation with an alpha hydroxy acid (like glycolic or lactic acids) will help clear out dead skin cells, and salicylic acid (a beta hydroxy acid) will help tone down your oil production. In combination, like in this peel from The Ordinary, they can help keep milia in check.
Niacinamide is a wonderful ingredient in skin care. It is a vitamin B3 derivative [9] and is excellent at controlling the excess production of sebum. It also reduces the appearance of blackheads and whiteheads.
Though some people do report experiencing irritation and breakouts after using the ingredient, niacinamide is unlikely to cause purging. That's because it doesn't affect the skin in a way that usually triggers purging.
Niacinamide can concurrently rebuild healthy skin cells while also protecting them from damage caused by ultraviolet rays. Treats hyperpigmentation. Some research has found 5 percent niacinamide concentrations can be helpful in lightening dark spots. Benefits were seen after four weeks, but not beyond two months.
-Niacinamide (Vitamin B3): Reduces the appearance of skin blemishes and signs of congestion, visibly brightens skin tone. -Zinc PCA: Visibly regulates excess sebum activity.
The most common procedure for milia removal is de-roofing. Dermatologists use a sterile needle to remove the tiny flap of skin trapping the keratin flake inside the pore. They then squeeze or prick out the flake. A less-common practice is curettage, which is a form of electrosurgery.
Products that boost exfoliation and cell turnover keep the skin smooth and thin, thereby eradicating milia and preventing them from recurring. I highly recommend Skinceuticals Micro-Exfoliating Scrub, which is gentle enough to use daily without leaving the skin overly dry or irritated.
"Finish by using a lightweight moisturizer, since moisturizing replenishes the skin and hydrates your skin cells." She also recommends looking for a moisturizer with that's gel-based or lightweight, preferably with hyaluronic acid.
How long does niacinamide take to work on hyperpigmentation? In mild skincare conditions, you'll notice visible results within two weeks. Based on most clinical studies performed on people with stubborn concerns, we can estimate that niacinamide can improve hyperpigmentation in 4-8 weeks.
While some niacinamide-containing products start to show initial benefits in two weeks, most results will show in four weeks or more. "You have to remember that it doesn't take two days for spots to form so you can't expect them to be removed in two days either," explains Engelman.
Don't Mix: Niacinamide and vitamin C. Although they're both antioxidants, vitamin C is one ingredient that's not compatible with niacinamide. "Both are very common antioxidants used in a variety of skincare products, but they should not be used one right after the other," says Dr. Marchbein.
It's an ingredient found in a number of moisturizing skin-care products, as well as certain foods and supplements like multivitamins. Can you use niacinamide every day? Yes. In fact, you can use niacinamide-containing topical products in the morning and night because it's generally a gentle ingredient.
Personally, it's hard to find fault with this inexpensive product. The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% serum has successfully brightened my skin, reduced inflammation, and increased hydration. However, one area where the product fell short for me was in reducing hyperpigmentation.
4 tips for when niacinamide fails
Signs it's not working: You're not seeing results and you notice the product is pilling on your skin. Also, if you experience redness, itching, or burning, you might want to skip this ingredient.
Topical retinoids help exfoliate the skin more effectively than OTC products. Topical retinoids also help loosen the keratin plug in existing milia and help them come to the surface so they can go away.
This involves piercing the upper layer of the skin with a surgical blade or needle, and the milia are expressed out using a comedome extractor. Other treatment options for milia seed removal involves electrosurgery and laser surgery, but usually the least traumatic and simplest way is all you need.
Causes and Risk Factors of Milia
Milia happen when the dead skin cells don't slough away. Instead, they get caught under the new skin, harden, and form a milium. Milia can also happen because of: Skin damage from something like a rash, an injury, or sun exposure.
Can niacinamide and salicylic acid be used together? The simple answer is yes. They complement each other well. Being oil soluble, salicylic acid can penetrate deeper into the skin layers, but it can also dehydrate and irritate skin.
Comedones cannot typically be popped. A comedone begins to form when oil and skin cells become trapped in the hair follicle. When that happens, the follicle becomes swollen, causing a bump on the surface of your skin.
Charcoal or clay masks. With comedonal acne, charcoal and clay masks work better than other formulations because they help dry out trapped sebum in your pores. They can even help get rid of trapped dirt and skin cells, making blackhead removal easier.