Similar to unsightly heat pimples, milia are hard whitish or yellowish cysts similar to small acne pimples topped with whiteheads that appear on the face and especially around the eyes, on the nose or on the cheeks, especially on the cheekbones. Some people even have them on their eyelids and at the base of their eyelashes! Of course, these skin problems are not a health problem and are not dangerous. Nevertheless, milia remains unsightly and can take a long time to disappear, which is why it is important to use a natural treatment! Here are some natural remedies to get rid of milia faster without a scar or to prevent their appearance on your cheeks.
Why do we have milia? And what exactly are they?
Before even asking how to get rid of moles, it is essential to ask the question of why they appear. Identifying them can help solve the problem in the long term by preventing them from occurring.
Unlike sebaceous cysts, which are made up of sebum, these tiny cysts (1 to 3 mm) contain sebaceous cells and keratin trapped under the outer layer of the skin. This is usually due to improper removal of dead cells in the case of primary milia. In the case of secondary milia, it is due to skin aggression (burns, excessive exposure to UV rays, laser, peeling, frequent abrasive scrubs, microdermabrasion, etc.). The use of creams that are too rich and the use of certain medications that promote the production of sebum can also promote the phenomenon and cause the appearance of an unsightly white ball. Continue reading to discover the natural remedies to get rid of milia permanently.
Natural Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Milia
#8 Steam against milia on the face
Use steam or a warm washcloth to “open” clogged pores and facilitate the removal of impurities and other dead skin. Alternatively, take a steam bath with a pot of boiling water and a towel (about 20 minutes). You can add tea tree oil or rosewood oil to your boiling water (1 to 2 drops). This will help to purify and cleanse your skin in depth while helping to regulate excess sebum. After that, use one of the treatments mentioned below to remove acne miliaria.
#7 Castor oil
This oil is native to Africa and comes from the castor plant, which has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and emollient properties that help your skin absorb oil. Apply cold-pressed castor oil to the area and massage until the remedy is absorbed. Do this for a few days to get results on your breakouts!
Related Article: 9 Incredible Benefits of Castor Oil for Skin
#6 Honey
Regular application of an organic honey mask that you leave on for about twenty minutes will not only make your skin soft, but will also help to make the milia grains disappear thanks to its antiseptic effect. You will have to renew the application regularly, even daily! Ideally, choose manuka honey. Although more expensive, it has proven anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antimicrobial properties and helps soothe skin irritations.
Related Article : Why the honey mask will change your skin?
#5 Cider vinegar
Already very effective on acrochordons, cider vinegar is also very useful on miliary acne thanks to its astringent power. It allows to reduce the pores of the skin and to free them from impurities. How to use it? Mix cider vinegar and water in equal parts. Then apply this lotion to the affected areas with a cotton ball and leave on for 30 minutes before rinsing. You can also try mixing 3 teaspoons of corn flour with 1 teaspoon of cider vinegar! After that, keep it on for 30 minutes before washing with cool water. This treatment will tighten your pores and absorb excess sebum.
#4 Rose water and sandalwood powder
By mixing rose water and sandalwood powder, you will obtain a mask to leave on every day for 15 minutes. This paste will gently exfoliate the skin. Leave on this natural remedy known since ancient times for a better efficiency on keratinized residues. It will leave your skin smooth, soft and sanitized. You can also use rose water alone two to three times a week to benefit from its anti-inflammatory properties. Since it should not be applied to the eye area, reserve it for the grains on your nose or cheekbones!
#3 Exfoliation to fight milia
Exfoliate your skin regularly! You mustn’t tear or pierce the pimples, as this can lead to scarring. However, exfoliation is known to remove dead skin cells and is therefore exactly what your skin needs. You can use several homemade products:
- Use a scrub made of acai powder and vegetable oil, for example, or a rough terry towel
- Don’t want to splurge on complicated ingredients for your scrubs? Try the sugar scrub! Take the juice of a quarter of a lemon, add two large tablespoons of sugar and a spoonful of olive oil. Exfoliate your skin for a few minutes with this mixture and then leave it on like a mask for 20 minutes. Do this treatment twice a month for several months.
- You can also bake pomegranate peels in the oven until they turn brown and crumbly and then grind them into powder. Mix them with rose water or lemon juice to make a paste to exfoliate the skin, providing antioxidants and vitamins in the process. Then, don’t hesitate to leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes.
#2 Fenugreek leaves
It is a common care in the ayurvedic beauty against the imperfections in any kind (blackheads, milium grains, buttons…). They are indeed antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. To begin, combine a few drops of water with a handful of fresh leaves in a blender. Apply this paste to your face, let it on for 10 to 15 minutes, and then wash it off. Take daily action until the issue is fixed.
#1 What other care for daily life?
Apply a few drops of tea tree oil on the skin. This will disinfect the skin and dry out the milium grains. You can apply it in the evening after a good face cleaning. Take some on your fingers and dab the areas to be treated. The following morning, rinse well.
Aloe vera gel is also a good ally because it helps the skin to heal. In addition, it fights inflammation and has antioxidant actions while helping to open pores for better treatment. Apply this product to the area to be treated and leave it on overnight. Rinse off the next day. Do this application twice a day (morning and evening). It can also be used as a moisturizer depending on your skin type.
How can I prevent milia in the future?
It is easier to prevent their appearance than to treat them. So, how can you avoid milium spots? Here are some recommendations:
- Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun. Moderate exposure will allow you to get your fill of beneficial vitamin D without burning!
- Use a moisturizing cream that is adapted to your skin type. Your skin care formula should not be too rich for you. As for makeup, it should be non-comedogenic, light and carefully removed at night.
- Maintain good hygiene and use a facial cleanser daily. For exfoliation, use a gentle scrub.
- Banish mineral oil-based cosmetics. Lanolin, petroleum and kerosene can asphyxiate the skin and promote the formation of these micro-cysts.
- Reduce your consumption of foods that are too sweet, too salty and too fatty: cheese, fried foods, etc.
- Remember that you should never pierce or remove your milia.
- If they have occurred after using topical medications (e.g. steroid cream), talk to your doctor.
If nothing helps you remove these fatty lumps on the surface of your skin, don’t hesitate to consult a dermatologist! He or she will give you skin care products to treat these microcysts morning and night. Very often, these formulas are based on retinol (or vitamin A). He may also decide to pierce the milium with a fine needle. If this gesture is not recommended at home because of the risk of scarring and infection, this professional will be able to do it without leaving an unsightly trace on your face or risking injury to the sensitive area around the eyes. Finally, a professional will be able to identify a possible vitamin A deficiency or vitamin E deficiency and direct you to foods and supplements to overcome it and help fight milium spots from the inside.
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