"Retinols are extremely helpful in preventing and treating milia, as they increase skin-cell turnover and therefore help bring cells to the surface to prevent their formation," says Dr. Nussbaum.
Retinoid products are made from vitamin A and are known to promote faster cell turnover to help eliminate acne, and early signs of aging. It's no secret that retinoids actually work to battle off many skin concerns, and milia usually won't stand a chance against a high quality retinoid product.
Garshick and Viscusi recommend Differin's retinoid. "This OTC retinoid works to help reduce acne breakouts and can also help in the prevention and treatment of milia," Garshick says.
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.
Retinoids are a common acne treatment thanks to their ability to help exfoliate and unclog the pores. For stubborn milia, your derm may prescribe a retinoid cream or even an over-the-counter retinol like DIFFERIN Gel to help exfoliate the skin and speed the cell turnover process along.
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.
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.
Tips for Improving the Appearance of Delicate Eye Area Skin
You'll also want to look for a hydrating blend of moisturizing ingredients such as jojoba esters and niacinamide. Milia may be made more obvious by dark or puffy under eye circles.
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.
Milia tends to happen when you have too much sun exposure. Your skin becomes leathery, making it harder for the dead cells to fall off. Sunscreen and moisturizer will keep your skin soft and flexible so it can replace itself the way it should.
A: Milia (sometimes called "closed comedones" or epidermal cysts) don't always respond to skin-care products. If you've been using a well-formulated 2% BHA daily for several weeks with minimal to no results, the next step is to see a dermatologist. They can remove these bumps quickly (they lance and drain them.)
These two anti-aging ingredients aren't entirely different. In fact, retinol is a type of retinoid. However, retinoid most often describes more powerful prescription products, while retinol generally refers to weaker over-the-counter (OTC) formulas. As board certified dermatologist Dr.
Estheticians can only perform cosmetic procedures that work on superficial layers of the skin. And, although regulations vary, in most states estheticians cannot remove milia (those pesky little white bumps). To remove milia, the skin needs to be pierced with a sharp instrument called a lancet.
“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.”
Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser is a mild and non-irritating formula cleanser which is effective against milia.
"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."
You can try an oatmeal scrub, a steam bath, or applying honey, castor oil or apple cider vinegar to the milia bumps. These home remedies probably work instantly. But with continuous use these milia treatments may reduce or prevent them.
Adolescents and adults might be concerned about what milia do to their appearance. In these cases, there are ways that a doctor can remove them. These include medical therapies such as regular application of adapalene gel which is over the counter or tretinoin cream which is a prescription.
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.
Primary or secondary milia in an adult may disappear on their own, but your doctor may treat you with one of the following: Piercing each milium with a sterile lancet or scalpel followed by removal of the cyst material with a tool called a comedone extractor.
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.
Microdermabrasion alone is in credibly effective for treating comedones and milia. Generally, people have microdermabrasion once a week for two or three months. If retinoic acid and exfoliation are not working to control milia, a dermatologist can extract them.