Can You
Get Rid of Milia?

Learn about treatments to get rid of milia, tips to protect your skin and an adapted skincare routine for skin prone to milia grains.

Read Time

5 min

In short:

What is Milia
Causes?
Treatment and Removal
Skincare for Skin Prone to Milia
Facts Overview
Consult a Dermatologist
Summary
FAQs

Milia, also known as milia grains due to their grain-like appearance, are small, white or yellowish bumps that appear on your face and body. One of the most common areas for milia to appear is the area around your eyes.
Unlike whiteheads or acne, milia aren't caused by sebum-clogged pores or bacteria but by trapped keratin and dead skin cells under your skin.

What Causes
Milia?

Milia grains form when dead skin cells become trapped beneath your skin's surface and harden into small cysts. Several factors can contribute to their development, including:

1
Skin trauma from injury, cosmetic procedures, or sun damage

2
Prolonged use of topical corticosteroids

3
Genetic or autoimmune conditions

4
Increased prevalence in infants, children, and older women

While these are common causes, the exact reason why some people develop milia while others do not remains unclear.

Can Milia Disappear
on Their Own?

Milia can sometimes disappear on their own without treatment. This happens when trapped dead skin cells gradually make their way to your skin's surface and shed naturally.
This process can take some time, but you can help it along with a proper skincare routine that includes exfoliants.
Persistent milia may need professional intervention. Dermatologists can use treatments or perform procedures to remove stubborn milia safely.

How to Get Rid of Milia?

Milia Treatment
and Removal:

Because milia grains sit under your skin, it's very difficult to remove them with normal cosmetic treatments. Their removal usually needs specialised treatments such as cryotherapy, laser surgery, dermabrasion, chemical peels or medication prescribed by a professional.

However, certain exfoliating ingredients may help your skin to naturally get rid of milium grains:

Salicylic Acid helps loosen and remove dead skin cells, promoting your skin's natural cell renewal.
Glycolic Acid is a small alpha-hydroxy acid, which means it is easily absorbed. It removes dead surface skin cells and helps speed up cell renewal.

SKINCARE HABITS TO AVOID WITH MILIA:

Never try to remove milia grains by squeezing your skin. It's impossible to get them out this way, as they're trapped under the skin. Squeezing them can damage your skin and comes with a number of risks:

Infection:
Breaking your skin's surface can introduce bacteria, leading to infections that may need medical treatment.

Scarring:
Squeezing can traumatise your skin, resulting in scars that may be difficult to treat and could worsen the appearance of the area.

Skincare for
Skin Prone to Milia

Although there are no cosmetic products specifically designed to remove milia, keeping up healthy skincare habits can support your skin overall. Milia often sort themselves out over time, but you can still take steps to care for your skin and help prevent irritation or other issues.

1. GENTLE CLEANSING

Using a gentle cleanser helps you wash away impurities and dead skin cells while keeping your skin balanced and hydrated. A mild cleanser is key for maintaining healthy skin without irritation or stripping away your natural oils.

Explore NIVEA's range of gentle cleansers, formulated to cleanse effectively while still caring for your skin's needs.

2. EXFOLIATION – IN MODERATION

Exfoliating once or twice a week can support your skin's natural renewal process by removing dead skin cells. But over-exfoliating or using harsh products can irritate your skin, so it's important to be gentle. While exfoliation can help keep your skin smooth, it won't remove milia directly.

Discover NIVEA Gentle Exfoliating Scrub, which exfoliates gently, helping you maintain smooth skin while preserving its moisture balance.

3. HYDRATION

Keeping your skin hydrated is crucial for a strong, healthy skin barrier. Using a moisturiser that suits your skin type helps protect against dryness and keeps your skin feeling soft and smooth. Well-hydrated skin is better able to handle everyday stress from the environment.

NIVEA's moisturisers can help give you lasting hydration to support your skin's natural defences.

4. SUN PROTECTION

Daily sun protection is a must in any skincare routine, because it helps shield your skin from harsh UV rays. Sun exposure can weaken your skin and cause premature ageing, so using a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day is really important.

Try NIVEA Face Sunscreens, which provide high-level sun protection to help protect your skin from UV damage.

5. PROFESSIONAL HELP FOR MILIA

If your milia stick around or start to worry you, it's best to chat to a dermatologist. Trying to remove milia at home can damage your skin and increase the risk of infection or scarring. Most of the time, milia will disappear on their own, and professional help can make sure any treatment you need is safe and suitable for your skin.

Facts Overview

Milia

Formation: Milia are small, white or yellowish bumps caused by trapped keratin and dead skin cells beneath your skin's surface.

Causes: They can form due to factors like sun damage, the use of certain medications or genetic causes, but they shouldn't be confused with comedones or acne pimples, which are linked to blocked pores or bacteria.

Prevention: Regular exfoliation, good daily hygiene and sun protection could help prevent milia in some cases.

Treatment: Milia can clear naturally, but stubborn cases may need professional removal. Avoid squeezing them to prevent infection and scarring.

When to
Consult a Dermatologist:

Milia often disappear on their own, or sometimes with the help of cosmetic treatments such as exfoliants. However, if you're prone to scarring or have a history of keloids, you should get professional help to minimise the risk of permanent skin damage.

Summary

Milia grains are small bumps caused by trapped keratin and dead skin cells under your skin. They usually don't need treatment, but your skin will benefit from a good routine that includes daily cleansing, gentle regular exfoliation and sun protection to help prevent skin thickening. Avoid squeezing them, as this is crucial to prevent complications like infection and scarring. For persistent milia, seeing a dermatologist means you get safe treatment with specialised products such as Salicylic Acid or Retinoids, or professional procedures to remove them. By following these steps consistently, you can manage milia and keep your skin looking clear and healthy.