Recently, after discovering that the small, white bumps on my chin were actually a real skin problem for people, all I wanted to know was how to get rid of milia. Milia, which is most common in newborn babies, are tiny cysts filled with Keratin, and can usually appear on your face and underneath your eyes. As described by Healthline, "Keratin is a strong protein that is typically found in skin, hair, and nail cells." So, it makes sense that sometimes these cysts would appear on your face, where in my case, happens to consist of extremely oily pores. Although milia is reported to go away on its own, I was determined to find ways on how to get rid of them. Call me impatient, but hey, trying to cover up those bumps with concealer is a real struggle.
In my personal experience, milia would appear underneath my chin from time to time. I never knew the medical term for it and just assumed they would go away on its own. According to The Mayo Clinic, "You can't prevent milia. And no treatment is needed because they usually disappear on their own in a few weeks or months." But after some research digging I found a couple of ways to help get those pesky bumps out of the way.
Growing up, I dealt with eczema and tried really hard to keep my skin in check and healthy. So when I realized that the white bumpy irritations on my skin were not so random at all, I had to find every way possible to make sure my face wouldn't have to experience milia for a long period of time. Hence the aggressive research I'm about to share with you.
With the summer heat fast approaching, I'm taking a lot of precautions for my skin and believe those who share the same problem shoud, too. Here are 5 ways to help get rid of milia:
1. Rose Water
Heritage Store Rosewater with Atomizer, $14, Amazon
Rose water for me personally is the ultimate life-saver when it comes to any kind of health issue. More commonly known for getting rid of dark under-eye circles and reviving damaged hair, rose water can help keep those white bumps in check and help balance your skin. Just dab some rose essential oil and rose water on your skin with a cotton ball to help relieve your milia.
2. Honey
Y.S. Eco Bee Farm Raw Honey, $12, Amazon
As you can tell, I really try to stick with all-natural products when fixing my skin problems. Honey, which contains natural antioxidants, can be used to keep moisture in your skin and get rid of the keratin build up on your face. Try applying the honey as a mask on your face, and if you feel like doing a facial scrub, you can add sugar to the honey.
3. Facial Peels
Esutras Organics Pomegranate Peel Powder, $24, Amazon
Whether they're natural or chemical, peels can also help to get rid of milia. I try to stay away from chemical peels, but if they're something that you're used to, it could help keep those bumps away. Other people have also suggested using a pomegranate peel powder because of its exfoliating and Vitamin C properties. Whatever peel you decide, just make sure you're most comfortable with it!
4. Retinoid Cream
Retinoid creams are sometimes the most quick and effective way to help your skin irritations. Just apply it topically onto your skin, but be careful to not apply them close to your eyelids. You'll need to talk to your dermatologist in order for them to prescribe you this.
Try: Bliss Firm Baby Firm Moisturizing Gel-Cream, $62, Amazon
5. Lancing
Although this is probably not the most comfortable or safest way to remove those white bumps, using a needle to poke each small cyst could potentially help get rid of milia. It seems that this technique is the most common when getting rid of the small bumps, but I'd highly recommend having a professional do it for you, just to be safe.
Images: Swanson Vitamins; Drugstore.com; Amazon; FoundryParkInn/Flickr
