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.
Try: a lightweight, serum-textured eye treatment such as the Medik8 r-Retinoate Day & Night Eye Serum, which will absorb quickly into the skin without forming a film on the surface. This lightweight retinol eye serum will encourage cell turnover, helping prevent milia around in that area.
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.
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.
If you typically have milia around your eyes, then that eye cream you're using might be too heavy for your skin type. Choose serums instead since they penetrate deep into the skin without blocking the pores. Or if you are bent on using cream, use products with Hyaluronic acid that is gentle on this delicate area.
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.
Exfoliation is the most important thing you can do to get rid of milia for good. “[Physical exfoliation] with a facial brush or gentle scrub removes the top dead skin layer and will help milia open and resolve,” says Dr. Gmyrek.
Especially if you have sensitive skin, you don't want to damage your skin with poor milia removal techniques. If it doesn't bother you appearance wise—best to leave it alone. Occasionally, they can dissolve on their own.
Milia are harmless and, in most cases, they will eventually clear by themselves. In babies, they clear after a few weeks. However, in some people, milia can persist for months or sometimes longer. Secondary milia are sometimes permanent.
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.
Invest In A Retinol Night Treatment
A super-easy and very effective way to get rid of milia is to regularly apply a topical retinoid to the affected area.
Marchbein also adds that if you're someone who is prone to milia, you should try using a combination of oil-free, non-comedogenic products (looking at you, CeraVe and Cetaphil), along with a cream containing a retinoid. This one by Paula's Choice absorbs quickly and also goes to work on fine lines and dark spots.
“If you're an adult with milia, you might try an over-the-counter exfoliating treatment that contains salicylic acid, alpha hydroxyl acid or a retinoid such as adapalene,” Dr. Piliang says. “These can improve the skin's natural turnover by removing the dead cells, and may help the bumps go away faster.”
When it comes to preventing milia, it's all about exfoliation, exfoliation, exfoliation! You want to maximise your cellular turnover, so things like chemical peels, topical retinoids, alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), charcoal, mud masks, micro abrasion and vitamin C are amongst the recommended.
Consistent use of well-formulated BHA exfoliants (AHAs are not effective for milia, as they cannot reach the pore) should help prevent its recurrence, but in some instances your milia will return. If that happens, management with a dermatologist/skilled aestheticitian is often the best course of action.
Secondary milia are cysts that develop because of skin trauma (like sunburns), and the skin is too leathery and dehydrated for dead cells to rise to the surface and slough off. If you have spent a lot of time in the sun without protecting yourself, make sure you wear a hat, sunblock, and other protective gear.
"The biggest side effect of using the wrong moisturizer is developing milia, little hard white bumps on the face in random areas," said Dr. Forney. "This is very common if [you're] using a body moisturizer on the face but can also happen with moisturizers which are too heavy."
Niacinamide helps build keratin , a type of protein that keeps your skin firm and healthy. Lipid barrier. Niacinamide can help your skin grow a ceramide (lipid) barrier , which can, in turn, helps retain moisture. This is beneficial for all skin types, especially if you have eczema or mature skin.
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.
Unfortunately closed comedones can become more serious.
Occasionally closed comedones go away on their own without much treatment. But generally they don't, Dr. Yang says. And even if they do, Dr.