How to Treat Milia & Prevent in the Future

Dr. Chris Tomassian, a top Los Angeles dermatologist & Tik Tok sensation, was recently interviewed on “The Skinny Confidential” podcast.  This interview was FULL of skin-care gold, with super easy tips for better skin.  I’ve already discussed his genius hack for reducing facial redness, but he also answered the question: how do you get rid of those pesky white milias?!  Milia aren’t pimples ~ they’re small white, raised bumps that you can’t pop, & that seem like they’ll never go away.  Here, we’ll discuss his incredibly easy solution for “How to Treat Milia.”

That little white bump is a milia! They often form around the eyes, & on the cheeks.

What Causes Milia?  Trapped dead skin cells can form small cysts under the surface of your skin ~ & this is what causes milia (the raised white bump) to form. When old skin cells don’t fall off the body, new skin grows on top of them, trapping the old cells underneath.

 

– Cleveland Clinic

How to Treat Milia & Prevent in Future

If you want to get rid of milia, the solution can be summed up in one word: RETINOL.  If the primary cause of milia is a lack of cell turnover, then it stands to reason that we want to encourage skin turnover & the shedding of any dead skin cells.  This will not only treat existing milia, but prevent them from occurring again in the future. 

The best way to do this is with retinol (Vitamin A).  

“Retinol increases skin cell production. It helps unclog pores. Retinol also exfoliates your skin & increases collagen production, which can reduce the appearance of fine lines & wrinkles, giving your skin a fresher, more plump appearance.

 

– Cleveland Clinic

Many people have used Retin-A, which is a form of retinol & Vitamin A, over the years.  But the problem is, this can be a very harsh skincare solution, causing peeling, redness, & rashes ~ particularly for people with sensitive skin.  The good news is: there are much gentler retinol products these days, with some even being 95% natural, such as the popular LilyAna Naturals Retinol Cream.  It has over 38,000 reviews on Amazon, & is filled with tons of nourishing botanicals to compliment the retinol. 

If you’re prone to getting milia around the eyes, & wondering if it’s safe to use retinol in this area: yes, it is.  You’ll want to use an eye cream with retinol in it, such as Dr. Gross’ Ferulic + Retinol Eye Serum, which is specifically meant for the sensitive skin right around the eyes.  The addition of Ferulic adds a strong antioxidant component, to help combat wrinkles & sun damage.