Milia are tiny white bumps that may seem like acne around their eyes, but it’s something that is very common for babies, but adults get it too. These are keratin-filled, white cysts that look like raised bumps and are usually clumped in groups and can appear around the eyes, nose, and cheeks. Milia often occur due to a buildup of dead skin and dirt in the pores of your skin and are usually painless, but may cause discomfort. Milia also frequently occur on newborns and is also known as “baby acne.”
One of the most annoying places that milia can tend to occur is around the eye, whether it is on the eyelid, on the eyelash or directly underneath the eye. This is due to the buildup of dead skin, bacteria, and oil and is more frequent in people who wear makeup. Old or cheap makeup like mascara, eyeliner or face makeup like primers, concealers, and foundations can cause a buildup of bacteria, resulting in white bumps on your lash and water line.
Milia usually goes away on its own, the bumps on the lash line can sometimes be mildly painful or uncomfortable. If you are uncomfortable with your milia, there are some ways to treat and remove milia:
Steam Facial & Sugar Scrub
This technique will open your pores and allow for o the optimal deep cleansing of the skin where the milia occur. First, soak a towel in hot water or pour hot water into a bowl. Place the towel over your face, or over the bowl of hot water for a few minutes. When you are done doing the steam facial, use a mixture of two parts of granulated sugar to one part of freshly squeezed lemon juice and one part of olive oil. Carefully and lightly exfoliate the affected area and leave for 10-15 minutes and rinse.
Honey
Simply apply honey to the areas affected and leave on the skin for 15 minutes. Honey is a great antioxidant so it will help with repairing damaged skin and reducing the appearance of the cysts. When the 15 minutes are over rinse with water or remove with a gentle face cleanser.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is great for the skin because it helps restore your skin’s natural pH levels and reduces the appearance of pimples and acne scars. Dilute apple cider vinegar with water and soak a cotton pad with the mixture. Distribute the mixture with the cotton pad all over the face. Do not rinse after use.
Retinol
Apply retinol cream to the areas of your skin affected by milia before going to bed every night to help speed the turnover of skin cells and preventing more milia from appearing.
Medical Treatment
One method that the doctor will use is directly puncturing the head of the milium and extracting the contents of the cyst. There will be no scars or skin damage if this procedure is done correctly. Other treatments can include cryotherapy, a process in which the doctor freezes and removes the cysts, laser treatment, dermabrasion and a chemical peel.