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.
Gel formulas can effectively firm skin and reduce fine lines without encouraging milia. Look for ingredients like peptides, vitamin A and niacinamide.
For especially stubborn or numerous milia, prescription retinol creams (like Retin-A or generic tretinoin 0.025%–0.05% cream or gel) may be in order.
Get a prescription retinoid.
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.
“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.”
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.
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.
Milia associated with drugs or products
Some ingredients in skin care and makeup products can cause milia in some people. If you have milia-prone skin, avoid the following ingredients: liquid paraffin. liquid petroleum.
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.
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.
Daily exfoliation with a BHA exfoliant with salicylic acid helps to remove dead skin cells from the skin, revealing the new, soft skin that lies beneath. If skin care products do not help, you can also choose to have milia professionally removed by a skin therapist or beautician.
Using thick products and formulas can also lead to milia development due to the clogging of pores, which is how using a thick eye cream can be a secret culprit.
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.
"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."
Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser is a mild and non-irritating formula cleanser which is effective against milia. In Milia, you should restrict from using too many products on your skin. You should use as little products as possible and that should be in alignment with the skin type.
“For adults, they will typically disappear over time, as well, but sometimes they can persist for longer.” If you've got milia that won't seem to go away, Dr. Thompson suggested exfoliating regularly with a peel or treating them cosmetically with a topical retinoid (such as tretinoin or adapalene) for several weeks.
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.
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.
Mix 4 tablespoons of honey with a half tablespoon of cinnamon powder and apply it on your face. Leave it on for about 15 minutes and then wash off. The antibacterial properties in honey will assist in reducing milk spots on skin. Also browse through: Healing benefits of honey for skin health and beauty.
Milia are common in newborns but can occur at any age. You can't prevent milia. And no treatment is needed because they usually disappear on their own in a few weeks or months.
Aloe vera contains anti inflammatory properties that can help in treating milia and soothing and cooling that area. To use it for this purpose, you should remove the leafy layer and use the inner gel.
Then there are other ingredients that moisturize skin, but they're just too rich and cause breakouts or milia. Enter: squalane, an effective ingredient that will nourish skin and keep it hydrated without leaving behind any slimy residue to clog your pores.
Comedogenic ingredients can cause milia: Comedogenic creams and lotions may prevent the sloughing of dead epidermal skin cells. Products that can cause milia can be make-up removers not labeled oil-free or non-comedogenic, hair spray, hair mousse and gel, heavy sunscreens and some moisturizers.