Best Eye Cream for Milia
Milia: An Overview
What It Is
Milia is the word for those pesky, white, non-acne bumps that usually appear on the cheeks, lips or under eye area; though, they can technically appear anywhere. Milia bumps form when dead skin cells and keratin becomes trapped under the skin instead of exfoliating naturally. Milia looks like little cysts, beads or pearls below the skin’s surface.
Milia doesn’t pop easily. In fact, it is not recommended to try to pop milia bumps as doing so can lead to discomfort, redness and even scarring. The only way to effectively treat milia at home is to boost exfoliation using specially formulated skin care or eye cream products.
Who’s At Risk
The number one cause of milia is the use of heavy, comedogenic skin care products. Face and eye creams that contain oil can inhibit the skin’s natural exfoliation process, resulting in white milia bumps. Hair care products, such as mousse or hairspray, can also contribute to milia if the formulation comes into contact with the complexion. Other causes of milia include:
- Genetic disposition
- Cumulative sun exposure
- Blistering disorders such as Porphyria Cutanea Tarda can make milia more likely to occur
- Young skin, such as that of a newborn baby
What To Do About It
Most cases of milia will clear up on their own in a couple days to a couple weeks. However, if you’re experiencing long-term or chronic milia, there are a few ways to treat it.
The first thing to do is read the labels of all your beauty care products. Replace anything that contains comedogenic ingredients, especially if you notice them having a heavy or greasy texture when applied. Common comedogenic ingredients include cocoa butter, coconut oil, sodium chloride and wheat germ oil. If your skin care formulation is labeled oil-free or non-comedogenic, it’s probably safe to continue using that product.
Formulations that often lead to milia include eye makeup remover, under eye cream, heavy moisturizers, products for chapped lips, and cream makeup for the eyes, cheeks or lips. If you often use these types of products and suffer from prolonged milia, a thorough overhaul of your daily beauty routine is highly suggested.
In addition to taking a look at your skin and eye cream products, try adding an exfoliation step to your daily regimen. Exfoliation does not necessarily mean scrubbing — many exfoliation products contain natural acids that gently yet thoroughly slough away dead skin cells. This action helps prevent milia by removing the dead skin cells that would otherwise become trapped under the skin. Plus, exfoliation helps reduce the appearance of acne, sun damage, visible signs of aging, hyperpigmentation, and rough skin.
If you have taken the above steps and see little or no improvement in your case of milia, visit your dermatologist. He or she may be able to administer a more extreme exfoliation treatment, such as a glycolic acid peel, or physically remove the milia bumps.
Please note: never, ever try to exfoliate your baby’s skin. If you feel as if your newborn, baby or toddler is experiencing chronic milia, take your little one to the pediatrician. A baby’s skin is much too sensitive for adult skin care or exfoliation products.