Milia, or “those little white bumps that simply won’t go away,” may be less obvious than acne and blackheads but can be just as irritating. Resembling tiny, hard swellings under the skin, milia usually appear under the eyes or on the cheeks and are difficult to get rid of. However, worry not! Renown Organic Skin Care has you covered with a description of the common types of milia, along with the approaches and products you can use to smooth out your skin.
What Are Milia?
Milia are small cysts filled with keratin, a type of protein found in skin cells, hair, and nails. When keratin becomes trapped under the skin, tiny white bumps develop, often in small clusters. These persistent bumps do not become red and swollen like acne but instead slowly accumulate under the skin and remain white. While a whitehead is also a white bump and a closed comedone (a pore blockage covered by the skin), whiteheads contain sebum, while milia contain keratin.
Milia can appear on people of all ages, are not infectious, and have no clear cause, but they can be aggravated by sun damage. Some common categories include:
- Neonatal milia (milia on newborns)
- Primary milia
- Milia en plaque
- Secondary milia
Neonatal milia affects around 50% of all infants. It cannot be treated and will clear up quickly on its own. Primary milia is the most common type of milia, found on both children and adults, typically around the eyes, cheeks, or forehead. Milia en plaque is a less common type of milia and, unlike primary milia, is a collection of multiple milium that appears as a plaque (a broad raised area of skin). Secondary milia refers to milia that appear after trauma to the skin, such as injury, burn, or blistering. When dealing with milia, it’s important to first have a skin evaluation with an expert to determine the best approach for treatment.
How To Get Rid of Milia
There are two effective ways to remove milia: extractions and exfoliation. While milia will usually clear up on their own, if your bumps have lasted for more than six months, extraction may be the only way to completely get rid of them. Since milia are small and covered by the skin, they can be difficult to remove. Although it can be tempting to try to pop or pick at milia yourself, we strongly advise against home extraction, as it can lead to irritation, infections, and scarring. Instead, visit a dermatologist or licensed esthetician who is trained to extract milia properly. They will typically use a small blade or needle to make a tiny incision to release the blockage. They may also apply additional treatments to ensure the skin remains hydrated and strong.
In addition to extraction, exfoliation (both professionally and at home) is essential for treating milia. We recommend starting with a consultation at your nearest licensed Renown Organics Medspa Partner. Not only can an esthetician provide a more intense professional treatment to open pores and smooth away any blockages, but they can also conduct a skin evaluation and recommend home care products. When selecting products, you will want ingredients that help soften the skin, speeding up the natural process for milia to surface on their own and prevent further buildup. Your esthetician may recommend a physical or chemical exfoliant, depending on your skin type and the category of milia you’re experiencing. Some exfoliating ingredients you may find helpful for treating milia include:
- Glycolic acid
- Lactic acid
- Salicylic acid
- Retinol
What Products Should I Use?
Exfoliation can be integrated into several steps of your homecare routine. Along with professional treatments, your esthetician may also recommend some of the following cleansers, exfoliants, and masks.
Cleansers
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Eminence Organics Monoi Age Corrective Exfoliating Cleanser is a moisturizing cleanser, ideal for anyone with milia who also wants to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and add hydration to their routine. With finely ground olive seed for gentle physical exfoliation, this cleanser also contains our Natural Retinol Alternative and Natural AHA Cocktail for additional chemical exfoliation, both essential ingredients for tackling milia.
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If chemical exfoliation is preferred or better suited to your skin type (this may be the case for sensitive or acne-prone skin), our award-winning Mangosteen Daily Resurfacing Cleanser utilizes lactic acid to effectively remove dead skin cells without over-drying. Suitable for all skin types, this cleanser also includes red clover extract to help minimize the appearance of pores and smooth the skin’s texture.
Exfoliants
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Using the power of our proprietary Detoxifying Microgreens Complex, along with stone crop and rice flour with adzuki powder, our Stone Plant Oxygenating Fizzofoliant provides the perfect prep for extractions by your esthetician. Additionally, this is a fantastic home treatment product that helps unclog pores and exfoliate the skin.
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Renown Organics Clear Skin Willow Bark Exfoliating Peel is another product we recommend for exfoliation. Packed with milia-busting salicylic acid, this peel removes dirt from the skin and prevents buildup—especially great for those with oily skin.
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For those with less oily skin, our Yam & Pumpkin Enzyme Peel 5% is a chemical exfoliant suitable for all skin types, combining lactic and glycolic acid to improve the skin’s texture and slough off dead skin cells.
Masks
Masking one to three times a week at home will help elevate your results. In the video below, Renown Organics Lead Skin Care Trainer Natalie Pergar recommends a smoothing and invigorating combination: our Raspberry Pore Refining Masque and Lime Stimulating Masque. As Natalie explains, this fruity mix not only smells amazing but also stimulates and smooths the skin to address milia. To try this mix at home, combine about a teaspoon of the Raspberry Pore Refining Masque with an equal (or smaller) amount of the Lime Stimulating Masque on the back of your hand. Mix the two masks together, adding a little water if desired to help emulsify. Once blended, apply to your face (avoiding the eye area) and leave on for 5 to 10 minutes. Rinse off with lukewarm water and follow with your preferred Renown Organics toner and moisturizer.
Additionally, our Product Support Representatives recommend the Acne Advanced Clarifying Masque, a 2-in-1 mask and spot treatment that helps reduce the appearance of shine and irritation.
If you’d like to see more tips from Natalie, be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel to never miss an In The Mix video! With the suggestions and product recommendations above, your skin will feel smoother and softer than ever.
Serum
Our Product Support Representatives also recommend the Neroli Age Corrective Eye Cream to nourish the delicate skin around your eyes—the area where milia commonly appears. This cream smooths the appearance of the skin while reducing visible signs of aging, such as crow’s feet and fine lines.