10 Home Remedies For Milia To Prevent It

Milia, those tiny, pesky bumps that appear on your face and sometimes other parts of your body, are a common skin condition many of us have encountered. Despite diligent efforts to keep your skin clean, these little dome-shaped lumps, scientifically known as 'milium cysts', seem to persist, causing frustration. In this article, we explore the causes of milia and offer potential remedies, along with valuable tips for prevention.

These blister-like protrusions, usually 1-2 mm in size, are white or yellow in color. Although they are painless and non-itchy, they might cause discomfort due to friction with clothing or rough fabrics, leading to redness and irritation. Milia are most commonly found in newborns, affecting nearly 40-50% of infants within a month of birth, and they tend to disappear on their own within weeks. However, milia can affect individuals of all ages and demographics, appearing on various facial areas such as eyelids, around the eyes, nose, cheeks, lips, and chin, and occasionally on other body parts, including the torso and genitalia.

The good news is that milia usually pose minimal risks and often resolve without any treatment. While they might not warrant serious concern, if you're searching for home remedies to address milia, this article provides you with viable options to explore. Read on to discover effective solutions to manage this common skin concern.

Steaming

Steaming opens up the skin pores to facilitate the removal of the buildups or irritants from them. Cover your head with a towel and bend over a large bowl filled with hot water. Wait for 5 to 10 minutes so that the steam can work to release all the debris trapped underneath the skin. Finish the process by using a gentle facial scrub and practice daily for the best results.

Vitamin A

According to some researchers, topical retinoid creams containing retinol or vitamin A are effective in eliminating milia to a good extent. The vitamin is indispensable for the natural turnover of cells, which promotes skin rejuvenation and maintains its health. Regular consumption of 700-900 mcg. vitamin A through foods like carrots, avocados, almonds, etc. or proper supplements will also help.

Lemon Juice

Lemon has strong anti-inflammatory properties, which is helpful in clearing up milia by drying them fast. Being a natural astringent, it also helps in reducing the size of skin pores. So, just take one half of a lemon and rub the affected parts of your skin gently with it. Leave it on for 30-40 minutes and then, rinse it off with tepid water. Otherwise, you may also add a pinch of salt to some freshly squeezed lemon juice and apply it to your milia.

Manuka Honey

The natural antibacterial, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties of manuka honey are quite well-known. Hence, it is good for soothing milia with irritation while preventing further microbial infections. You can spread half a tablespoon of manuka honey all over your skin in an even layer and let it sit for 30 minutes before rinsing. A mixture of manuka honey and a little cinnamon extract will also work the same way. But make sure that you use it daily for great results.

Granulated Sugar with Lemon Juice and Coconut Oil

Regular exfoliation of the skin is essential to stop the build-ups of keratin beneath its surface. It also helps in eliminating the stubborn lumps of milia over time. So, prepare a natural sugar scrub by mixing the freshly squeezed juice of a lemon and a teaspoon of coconut oil with 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar. When the sugar becomes partially dissolved, scrub the affected part of your skin with it gently for 3-5 minutes. Then, wait for 20 minutes and wash off with lukewarm water. This needs to be done for at least 3-4 times a week.

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)

Just like lemon juice, apple cider vinegar also works as a natural astringent agent. As it shrinks the skin pores and forces the debris out of them, the bumps of milia get removed. All you need to do is dilute a tablespoon of ACV with a tablespoon of water, apply the mixture to the milia-prone areas of your skin with a clean cotton ball, and wait for half an hour before rinsing it off.

Cold-Pressed Castor Oil

The emollient as well as anti-inflammatory properties of castor oil are excellent for our skin. They may also help in combating milia naturally and successfully. You need to start by cleansing your skin thoroughly with a mild cleanser and patting it dry. Simply massage the area of your skin affected by milia with half a teaspoon of cold-pressed castor oil and let it sit for at least half an hour before washing off. It should be repeated daily for the best outcomes.

Virgin Coconut Oil

Virgin coconut oil is not only a brilliant moisturizer but also a great anti-inflammatory agent. As it keeps the skin well-moisturized and controls inflammation, it can be used as a remedy for milia lesions too. Just take 1 tablespoon of cold-pressed virgin coconut oil and massage all the troubled areas of your skin with it. Wait for half an hour and then, rinse it off with a gentle cleanser. Also, repeat the process twice daily.

Rose Water

The best thing about rose water is that it contains rose oil instead of mineral oils, which contributes to its anti-inflammatory properties. For the same reason, it is considered as an effective remedy for milia too. You can simply spritz some rose water over the affected regions of your skin (excluding the entire eye area) at least twice or thrice a day to see visible improvements.

Sandalwood And Rose Water

Make a smooth paste of thick consistency by mixing enough rose water with a tablespoon of sandalwood powder. Spread it all over your affected skin and rinse off with cold water after half an hour. Daily use of this remedy will remove the keratinized debris from the skin pores, thereby reducing the appearance milia significantly.