3 Causes of Milia and How to Treat Without Scarring

These small bumps are milia (or, in singular form, a milium) or milk spots. Sure, they’re harmless—but if it were up to you, you’d probably prefer them to stay away. But what causes milia on face skin? 

Several factors can lead to milia, ranging from skincare products to daily habits. Understanding the causes and how to rectify them is the first step in helping you figure out how to get rid of milia under eyes. Learning how to get rid of under skin pimples and milia outbreaks will give your skin a softer, smoother finish.

Cause #1: Buildup In The Skin

Your skin naturally sheds dead cells, but some can get stuck subepidermally, or below the surface of the skin. These can become keratin cysts, which stay lodged under the skin and fill your pores, eventually becoming primary milia.

Primary milia can be aggravated by two main causes:

• The natural process of keratin buildup – You may be able to prevent this by switching up your skincare. Opt for a facial cleanser that can clean and exfoliate to prevent buildup in your pores.
• Buildup caused by heavy skincare products – The skin under your eyes is too delicate to absorb ultra-dense or oily moisturizers. For instance, many people use petroleum jelly (aka slugging) under the eyes, which can also cause milia [1]. One antidote here is to opt for a more lightweight eye cream to treat the dry skin under your eyes.

Cause #2: Skin Trauma

Skin trauma can result from intense dermatological or cosmetic treatments and/or infections. Any of these can cause sweat ducts to clog, leading to secondary milia.

The most common skin procedures that might cause milia are:

• Chemical peels – After a chemical peel, you might be prescribed a post-treatment ointment. Some of these can block pilosebaceous units in the upper layers of the skin, leading to an outcropping of milk spots [2].
• Laser treatments – Lasers can be incredibly powerful, but they can also be quite harsh on skin, especially sensitive skin—and, in some cases, inflame milia [3].

On the other hand, these are two naturally-occurring conditions that can lead to milia:

• Inflammatory skin conditions – Some common skin disorders like rosacea and eczema may yield rashes and redness, which may also cause milia.
• Skin infections – Outbreaks of infections, which typically affects the skin of the face, can be accompanied by inflammation. When milia appear, it’s often a sign that the skin is healing from the infection [4].

Cause #3: Poor Lifestyle Habits

We’d be remiss to overlook those daily habits and lifestyle practices that can lead to milk spots. 

For instance, prolonged exposure to UV radiation without protection—especially over time— can lead to milia (not to mention premature skin aging). This is easily resolvable by recruiting a daily moisturizer with SPF into your skincare routine. 

Among other poor lifestyle habits that can cause milia, you’ll find a few other “usual suspects,” including lack of sleep and smoking. If you’re worried your lifestyle choices may be causing milk spots, you may want to take a look at your:

• Personal hygiene – If you aren’t in the habit of washing your face twice (or even once) per day, you may be at risk of developing milia. Neglecting to suds up can cause keratin to accrete and skin to grow over that debris.
• Degree of using oil-based skincare products – You don’t need to use heavy-duty lotions to nurture your skin. Formulated well, moisturizers should be ultra-hydrating and low-impact. Look for one that specifically caters to your unique skin type.
• Long-term steroid use – If you use corticosteroids, these may cause milia where topically applied if used in excess or over a long period [5].

How To Treat Milia without Causing Scarring

Hopefully, you haven’t tried a milia extraction strategy by taking a needle (or your fingers) to your face. While milia themselves don’t need treatment, it’s understandable why you’d want to bid them adieu (so you can say hello! to a more flawless-looking complexion). However, popping milia without a professional dermatologist can worsen the skin damage.

Here’s the good news: in some cases, milia only last for weeks or months, and regular exfoliation alone might be enough to clear them away, and restore your healthy skin.

However, when they form in the deeper layers of your skin, it could be time to see a specialist for scar-free removal. There are three ways dermatologists typically remove milia [6]:

• De-roofing, where keratin is carefully removed after opening with a sterile needle or scalpel
• Laser treatment, where extractions are performed using a needle that’s heated electrically
• Cryotherapy, which relies on ultra-cold temperatures and liquid nitrogen to freeze off milk spots

Tune Up Your Skincare And Prevent Milia with PROVEN

Whether it’s those pesky white bumps or the dull, lusterless tone of “blah” skin, how our skin feels and looks is often a reflection of habits and practices that are built over time. This, in part, is why it’s so important to create a skincare ritual that genuinely feels like yours.

PROVEN’s specialized skincare set is tailored to your skin’s specific traits while providing the foundations of timeless skincare: daily cleansing, sun protection, and extra TLC for areas where you need it most. Take our skincare quiz and we’ll connect you with clean, clinically-effective ingredients that can help you reclaim your skin’s right to thrive.

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