An over-the-counter exfoliating cosmetic with salicylic acid, alpha hydroxy acid, or a retinoid can help remove the dead skin cells. Baby skin is too delicate for lotions, oils, or other cosmetics. Wash your baby's face with warm water and baby soap daily and then pat the skin dry. Wait for the milia to clear.
“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.”
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.
"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."
“Milia can stay there for years (same size and shape) if not removed,” Rouleau said.
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.
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.
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.
Exfoliate regularly.
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.
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.)
Colbert says to use Differin Gel (which is now available over the counter) or prescription Retin-A, or schedule an appointment with a dermatologist, who can safely get rid of them through extraction. And to prevent primary milia from happening in the first place, “exfoliation is key,” Dr.
Gently exfoliating the area with a warm washcloth may get rid of dead skin cells and help bring trapped keratin to the surface. Steam. Spending some time in your bathroom with the door closed and a hot shower running creates an easy at-home steam treatment for your face. Rose water or manuka honey.
Just take some lemon juice and add a little sugar into it. Mix and apply it on your face. Massage gently for around 15-20 minutes and repeat this process everyday. Your milia spots will reduce within a week.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Prepare a soothing facial peel, imbued with calming essential oils such as tea tree and lavender, and use once a month, to provide a balmy effect to milia-affected skin.
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.
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.
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.