Have you ever noticed those little white bumps that may occur around your eyes or on your eyelids? Those are actually called milia!
Milia are small epidermal cysts filled with keratin. These cysts get trapped under the surface of the skin and typically occur under the eye or on the eyelid, on the cheeks or forehead. A lot of the time milias are caused by products like heavy eye creams or pore-clogging skincare, genetics, sleeping in your makeup and a lack of exfoliation.
Milia can pop up on skin of all ages. As previously mentioned, milia can be spotted under the eye or on the eyelid because of a lack of oil glands. This is what causes the buildup of dead skin and products which result in the small white, hard bump you may be experiencing.
How To Get Rid Of Milia:
Professional Extractions.
Getting your milia professional extracted is the best way to remove them. The skin needs to be prepped and punctured with a sterile needle (a lancet) and done in a sterile environment, with the right amount of pressure. Please, don’t try this at home - as it may cause more damage to the skin.
How To Prevent Milia:
Double Cleansing.
It may seem simple, but cleansing your skin is where a great skincare routine starts. Starting with a makeup remover like micellar water or an oil based cleanser will really help to break down any makeup, sebum and spf on the surface. Next, using a hydrating or treatment cleanser ensures any products along with dirt and debris on the skin are fully removed and your skin is prepped for the following products.
Exfoliating Products.
Exfoliation is going to be so important in the treatment of milias. Acid exfoliants with AHA’s (alpha hydroxy acids) and/or BHA’s (beta hydroxy acids) ensure the removal of dead skin build up and deep cleansing of the pores.
Retinol.
The holy grail product of all your skin concerns, but for milia - it's god sent. Retinol works at a deep cellular level, where it promotes the cell turnover rate, which helps boost collagen and elastin production. This helps with anti-aging concerns like fine lines and wrinkles, regulated sebum production and pore congestion.
Choosing The Correct Eye Cream. (And not applying too much of it!).
Eye cream can be tricky, but it doesn't have to be. It is important to have a separate eye cream than face moisturizer due to your moisturizer being too thick for your delicate under eye area. Applying a pea size amount of eye cream to your undereye area is the perfect way to ensure you're not applying too much.
Milia can be tricky, but knowing how to treat them is the best way to prevent them. Please do not try to extract these yourself. See a professional to get these removed, as removal may cause damage to the surface if not extracted properly.