How To Get Rid of Milia Around the Eyes

Have you heard of milia? You may not know them by their name, but these hard little white bumps that usually appear around the eyes and cheeks are a very common skin issue. These stubborn lumps are not usually painful or inflamed, but they’re annoying. Let’s find out why they appear and how they can be treated.  

What Causes Milia Around the Eyes?

Milia are small cysts that show up on the face as hard, raised yellow or white bumps. They are made up of keratin, a type of protein found in skin tissue, hair and nail cells that can get trapped under the skin.  

So, what causes them? 

Just like milia on other parts of the face, milia around the eyes and eyelid form as the result of keratin becoming trapped under the surface of the skin. They can be exacerbated by skin damage like trauma or rashes, sun exposure and heavy skin care products. Eye creams are often thicker and more occlusive than moisturizers used on the rest of the face. These richer formulas can clog the area, making it difficult for the skin cells to shed and resulting in the buildup of keratin under the skin. As annoying as they are, these bumps are nothing to be worried about but that doesn’t mean you have to live with them. 

How To Get Rid of Milia Around the Eyes 

While it may be tempting to try to pick or pop these little bumps, don’t go there. Like with any blemish on the face, we never recommend squeezing or trying to “empty” them with your fingers or a tool. This should always be left to a spa professional to avoid scarring, infection and a whole cluster of other issues.  

Professional Treatments  

Unlike whiteheads, which are filled with soft sebum, milia are hard little cysts. A spa professional will use a tool like a small blade to nick the surface and gently coax the bump out. It’s a quick and painless procedure but should never be done in any other setting than at a spa or dermatologist’s office.  

It goes without saying that this is especially important when the milia in question are around the eye or on the eyelid. This area can be dangerous to treat and should never be touched with fingers or a tool by anyone other than a professional with sterile tools and proper training. 

At-Home Milia Treatments 

DIY extractions are out of the question, but there are gentle ways to treat milia at home. Again, these little bumps are benign and often go away on their own, but many people are bothered by the texture and look of them. 

Exfoliation is a less invasive way to treat milia. The right ingredients can help soften the skin and speed up the shedding of dead skin cells, allowing milia to come to the surface while also preventing further buildup.  

The process should ideally begin with a consultation at your nearest Eminence Organics Spa Partner. They can analyze the skin and recommend which products will work best with the category of milia you’re dealing with and your skin type. Both physical and chemical exfoliants can work. AHAs like lactic acid and glycolic acid will help clear out dead skin cells. BHAs like salicylic acid will help tone down your oil production. A combination of both types of exfoliants may be your secret recipe. 

Two other ingredients that are recommended to help with milia are retinol and niacinamide. Retinol increases cell turnover and helps bring the dead cells to the surface, resulting in less of them getting trapped under the skin.  

Niacinamide is a gentle ingredient that works well in the delicate eye area to improve texture, encourage cell turnover and strengthen the skin barrier. 

Best Products To Treat Milia at Home 

Start with an exfoliating cleanser. Since both physical and chemical exfoliators are recommended, a cleanser that performs double duty is a great place to start. The Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant is formulated with lactic and salicylic acids to help remove buildup and dead skin cells, plus and a blend of polishing flours that buff and smooth the skin’s texture. The result is bright, refined and visibly smooth skin. 

Another cleanser that provides the one-two punch of physical and chemical exfoliation is the Monoi Age Corrective Exfoliating Cleanser. It contains finely ground olive seeds, as well as a cocktail of AHAs. 

When it comes to moisturizer, look for a light option with exfoliating ingredients. The Acne Advanced Clarifying Hydrator contains encapsulated salicylic acid to help unclog pores. And the Bakuchiol + Niacinamide Moisturizer contains a retinol alternative called bakuchiol that helps smooth the skin’s texture, combined with niacinamide to encourage the look of youthful-looking skin.

Frequently Asked Questions: Milia Around the Eyes 

Can milia go away on their own?  

Yes, milia often go away without any treatment, however, gentle exfoliation can help speed up the process by encouraging the shedding of dead skin cells that can get trapped and cause the milia to form. If you’re concerned about the milia, consult your esthetician who can recommend products and/or perform extractions if appropriate. 

Are milia contagious? 

No, because milia are not caused by infection, they cannot spread from person to person. They are harmless skin growths that can be triggered by certain skin care products and other issues. They should not be itchy or painful, please see your doctor if either of those symptoms show up, as that may be a sign of something other than milia. 

Can eye cream cause milia? 

In some cases, yes, eye cream can be the reason for milia forming around the eyes. Eye creams can be heavy and slow down the shedding of dead skin cells. Talk to your spa professional if you’re looking for a lighter eye cream that might be better suited to your skin type.  

If you’re looking for advice or products to help treat the milia around your eyes, visit your nearest Eminence Organics Spa Partner.