How Can I Remove Milia? Simple Routine Tweaks for Smoother Skin

Upon the initial sight of small white bumps on your skin, it’s common to assume they’re pesky whiteheads, a common concern for those with oilier complexions. But if those tiny white bumps appear on your eyelids or beneath your eyes, you’re likely dealing with milia—not acne. Unlike whiteheads (which form when a pore becomes clogged with oil and dead skin), milia are tiny pockets of keratin trapped beneath the skin’s surface. They can take time to resolve on their own and often require a targeted approach to address and prevent. If you’re wondering “How can I remove milia?”, keep reading. Ahead, we’ll explain why these bumps form, how you can distinguish them from blemishes like whiteheads and pimples, and share tips on how to treat milia for smoother-looking skin.

What Are Milia and What Causes Them?

According to the Cleveland Clinic, milia (or milium when there’s just one) are tiny cysts formed when dead skin cells, specifically keratin, get trapped beneath the skin's surface. While very common in newborns, these small white bumps on the skin also frequently appear in adults. They are benign and typically emerge spontaneously, often appearing on the eyelids, under the eyes, and on the cheeks.

Several factors can contribute to the formation of milia. Understanding the cause can help you learn how to treat milia effectively and prevent new bumps from forming. The primary reasons they appear include:

• Trapped keratin: This is the most common cause, where a buildup of dead skin cells fails to shed properly, causing a tiny, painless cyst to form.
• Heavy skincare products: Overuse of rich, occlusive creams and moisturizers can cause dead skin cells to stick on your face rather than shed. This is a common cause of milia under the eyes, since the skin around your eyes is highly delicate and more sensitive than the rest of your face.
• Skin trauma: In some cases, milia can develop as the skin heals from an injury, such as a burn, rash, or after certain skin procedures.

How To Tell If You Have Milia

While only a dermatologist can provide a definitive diagnosis, you can often distinguish milia from other skin concerns at home.

First, take stock of how the bumps look and feel. Milia are small, firm, and light in color—usually whitish or light beige. Unlike acne breakouts, these tiny white bumps on the face aren’t typically accompanied by redness or irritation, and they won’t pop if you try to squeeze them (which—spoiler alert—you shouldn’t attempt).

It can also be helpful to pinpoint where, exactly, the problem is located. Milia most commonly appear on the eyelids, under the eyes, on the upper cheeks, or around the outer edges of your lips. By contrast, acne breakouts can appear anywhere but are most frequent in oilier areas like the forehead, nose, and chin. If you have tiny white bubbles under your eyes, on your eyelids, or around your mouth that don’t hurt or appear alongside redness, chances are good that you’re dealing with milia.

How To Treat Milia

As mentioned, milia form when dead keratin cells get trapped beneath the topmost layer of skin. Gentle exfoliation can help remove that topmost layer of dead skin, allowing the milia to resolve more quickly.

If you’re going to incorporate exfoliation into your routine, it’s important to do so gently to avoid irritation. Steer clear of harsh scrubs, which can irritate the skin, and instead use a mild chemical exfoliant, such as salicylic acid or glycolic acid, to gently resurface the skin. We like the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift 10% Pure Glycolic Acid Serum for the face, as it contains glycolic acid and aloe vera and provides effective exfoliation without drying out the skin. For milia on the eyelids or around the eyes, an extra-gentle approach is a must, since the skin around here is highly delicate. You can lightly massage the area with a damp washcloth to help loosen dead skin cells, but avoid applying any exfoliants to the area unless directed by your dermatologist to minimize the risk of irritation.

Do Milia Go Away On Their Own?

According to the Cleveland Clinic, milia often resolve on their own, though the process can take a few weeks or longer. Having those small white bumps hang around for weeks or even months may seem alarming, but you shouldn’t worry—milia are harmless and completely benign. Still, if you notice that your milia aren’t subsiding after several weeks or months, it may be worth scheduling a visit with a dermatologist for assistance.

Professional treatments for milia

If at-home care does not improve their appearance, the most effective way to address stubborn milia is with professional intervention. There are several treatments that a dermatologist may recommend to remove those stubborn white bumps on the skin, including:

• Manual extraction: This is the most common professional method for removing milia. A dermatologist uses a sterile needle or blade to create a minuscule opening in the skin, then gently pushes out the trapped keratin plug with an extractor. This procedure provides immediate results and is highly effective.
• Chemical peels: For those with numerous milia, a professional-strength chemical peel can be an excellent option. These treatments use concentrated exfoliating acids to help slough away the topmost layer of skin, allowing the milia to dislodge on their own. This approach can also help improve overall skin texture and radiance.
• Cryotherapy: In this procedure, a dermatologist applies liquid nitrogen to freeze and destroy the milium cyst. The frozen bump then typically scabs over and falls off within several days. This method is quick and efficient for treating individual spots.

Remember that these are professional treatments and should only be treated as such. Never attempt to pop, squeeze, burn, or otherwise forcefully remove milia on your own at home—doing so can result in skin damage, infections, or even permanent scarring.

At-home care and prevention

As mentioned earlier, gentle exfoliation can help minimize the appearance of milia. However, regular exfoliation can also support skin turnover and help prevent milia from developing. How often you should exfoliate depends largely on your skin type and the products you’re using in your routine—mild beta-hydroxy acids, like salicylic acid, can often be used daily. Stronger alpha-hydroxy acids or more potent formulas may need to be used more sparingly, depending on your skin type and needs. If you’re ever unsure how to exfoliate in a way that makes sense for your skin, consult your dermatologist.

Recommended exfoliating serums

Adding a gentle exfoliating serum to your everyday routine can be a great way to support smooth, bump-free skin. When selecting a serum, it’s best to choose one aligned with your skin type and concerns.

If you have oily skin, for example, reach for a salicylic acid serum, such as the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift 12% Pure Vitamin C + E + Salicylic Acid Serum. Salicylic acid is oil-soluble and can break up debris within pores to help prevent congestion (as well as other concerns, such as blackheads and whiteheads).

For dry or mature skin, glycolic acid is an excellent pick. An everyday serum like the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift 10% Pure Glycolic Acid Serum can help support surface skin turnover to promote a smoother, more even complexion. Always read the instructions before use, patch-test if you have sensitive skin, and don’t apply anything to your eye area unless explicitly instructed in the product directions or by a dermatologist.

What Not To Do If You Have Milia

A big part of knowing how to get rid of milia under your eyes or on your eyelids is knowing what skincare products and habits to avoid. If you’re prone to developing these tiny white bumps on your face, steer clear of the following:

• Over-exfoliation: Exfoliating can help keep your skin smooth and clear, but overdoing it can lead to irritation and dryness. Opt for a gentle chemical exfoliant and use it daily or every other day, as your skin allows.
• Squeezing, picking, and popping: Though it might be tempting to try to squeeze out milia when they appear, we strongly advise you avoid the urge. Picking at your skin can result in redness, irritation, discoloration, or even scarring, which could be permanent.
• Heavy skincare products: Keeping your skin hydrated is a cornerstone of an effective skincare routine, but if you’re prone to milia, be sure to use lightweight formulas that won’t suffocate your skin. Stick to lightweight, water-based formulas that hydrate without weighing your skin down. If you tend to get milia around your eyes after applying eye cream, consider swapping it out for a lightweight eye serum, such as the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift 2.5% Hyaluronic Acid + Caffeine Eye Serum (pictured below), instead.
• Sleeping in your makeup: Sleeping in your makeup can hinder the natural shedding of dead skin cells and may increase the likelihood of developing skin concerns like milia. Before bed, wash your face to remove makeup, sunscreen, and other impurities, then apply a facial serum and lightweight moisturizer to help target concerns and lock in hydration.

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Photo courtesy of L’Oréal Paris