Can You
Get Rid of Milia?

Learn about easy treatments to get rid of milia, simple tips to protect your skin and an adapted skincare routine for skin that tends to get 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 because of their grain-like appearance, are small, white or yellowish bumps that can 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 still isn't completely clear.

Can Milia Disappear
on Their Own?

Milia can sometimes disappear on their own without any treatment. This happens when trapped dead skin cells gradually move up to the skin's surface and shed naturally.
This process can take some time, but you can support it with a proper skincare routine, including gentle exfoliants.
If your milia don't go away and keep coming back, you might need professional help. Dermatologists can use specific treatments or procedures to remove stubborn milia safely for you.

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, done by a professional.

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

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

SKINCARE HABITS TO AVOID WITH MILIA:

Never try to remove milia grains by squeezing your skin. It's not possible to get them out this way, as they're trapped under the skin. Squeezing them can damage your skin and lead to several risks:

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

Scarring:
Squeezing can traumatise your skin, causing scars that may be difficult to treat and can actually make the area look worse.

Skincare for
Skin Prone to Milia

Although there are no cosmetic products made specifically to remove milia, keeping up healthy skincare habits can really support your skin's overall condition. Milia often settle down naturally over time, but you can still take a few simple steps to care for your skin and help prevent irritation or other issues.

young woman using Nivea Derma Skin Clear Scrub

1. GENTLE CLEANSING

Using a gentle cleanser helps remove impurities and dead skin cells while keeping your skin balanced and hydrated. A mild cleanser is key to maintaining healthy skin without causing irritation or stripping away your skin's natural oils.

Explore NIVEA's range of gentle cleansers, formulated to cleanse effectively while 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. However, over-exfoliating or using very harsh products can irritate your skin, so it's important to be gentle. While exfoliation can help keep your skin smooth, it will not remove milia directly.

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

3. HYDRATION

Keeping your skin hydrated is crucial for maintaining 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 equipped to handle daily pollution, heat and other external stressors.

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

4. SUN PROTECTION

Daily sun protection is an essential part of any skincare routine, as it helps shield your skin from harmful 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 don't go away or are bothering you, it's best to talk 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 getting professional advice makes sure any treatment you need is safe and gentle on 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 drugs or genetic causes, but they shouldn't be confused with comedones or acne pimples, which are related to pore blockage or bacteria.

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

Treatment: Milia can resolve naturally, but stubborn cases may need professional removal. Avoid squeezing 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 tend to get scars easily or have a history of keloids, you should seek 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 any treatment, but your skin will benefit from a good routine including daily cleansing, gentle regular exfoliation and sun protection to prevent skin thickening. Avoid squeezing them, as this is crucial to prevent complications like infection and scarring. Talking to a dermatologist for persistent cases ensures safe treatment with specialised products such as Salicylic Acid or Retinoids, or procedures to remove them. By following these simple steps, you can manage milia more effectively and maintain clear, healthy-looking skin.