Did you just notice ugly spots on your face and are panicking because you don’t know what they are? Are they hard and white bumps? Relax, they are nothing harmful, they are just milia. These keratin-filled cysts mostly occur on cheeks, nose, forehead and chest, and are most commonly found on babies. Everyone wants skin as flawless as possible, and so do you. But you need to provide some nourishing care daily to your skin for it to have a healthy glow! There are simple home remedies that help to get rid of these milia unseemly bumps – all you have to do is be calm and patient and let nature work its magic on you!
Milia Causes
Let us see what causes the milia to appear in the first place
- Clogging of skin pores when dead skin cells are accumulated
- Excessive secretion of sebum
- Use of oily products and heavy makeup
- Hormonal changes
- Use of steroidal creams over a long time
- Blistering injuries
- Prolonged exposure to sun
- Genetic reasons in some cases
- Skin-resurfacing procedures like dermabrasion and laser treatments
- Not enough exfoliation
What are the symptoms of milia?
There are various types of milia, depending on the age at which they appear or their causes, like neonatal milia, juvenile milia, multiple eruptive milia, milia en plaqua, primary milia in children and adults, traumatic milia and milia associated with drugs. These little uglies are easy to spot on your own.
- White or yellowish bumps, appearing on your face and chest.
- Hard to touch.
- Generally not painful or itchy.
The best home remedies to get rid of milia
There are treatments for milia like chemical peels or laser ablation, skin medications like topical retinoids, removing the cysts using extreme heat, surgical scraping or freezing. All of these treatments sound too terrifying to be let anywhere near your face for such small milia bumps! There are far easier and cheaper options using ingredients straight from your kitchen and pantry!
1. Honey
This wonder ingredient is a natural humectant that retains moisture in your skin.
- Apply raw honey on your kin and leave it on for about 15 minutes and wash it off. You can repeat this everyday till you see the bumps disappearing.
- Or mix one tablespoon of jojoba oil with two tablespoons of raw honey and follow the same procedure.
- Or turn it into a scrub by adding three tablespoons of oatmeal and one tablespoon of granulated sugar to raw honey. Use the scrub once or twice a week – apply it and leave it on for 15-20 minutes and then rinse it off thoroughly, gently rubbing it off your skin making circular movements. The scrub will unclog the blocked pores and you will see improvements quite soon!
2. Sugar-Lemon Scrub
Here is another scrub to help you get rid of the unsightly bumps. Mix two tablespoons of granulated sugar, juice of half a lemon and one teaspoon olive oil. Gently scrub your face with this mixture, leave it on to dry for 15-20 minutes and wash it off.
3. Castor Oil
Castor oil has antibacterial properties and it also controls production of excess oil from your skin.
- Gently massage the oil on the affected area until it is completely absorbed by the skin.
- You can also use a 50-50 combination of castor oil and olive oil.
- Or make a paste of castor oil and baking soda and apply that on the milia, and wash it off after 30 minutes.
4. Facial Sauna
The heat from the sauna helps opening up the skin pores and allows the dead skin cells and clogging impurities to be removed.
- Steam your face carefully for 10-25 minutes every day, till the milk spots clear up. You can add castor oil or apple cider vinegar on your skin after steaming it.
- Alternatively, you can soak a towel in hot water, wring the excess water out and put it on your face. Wait till it becomes cool, and repeat the process again.
5. Aloe Vera
This herb is known to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Simply rub the affected area with soothing aloe vera gel and leave it on for the whole night, and wash it off the next morning. You can do this every night till the condition clears up.
- Alternatively try making a 50-50 mixture of green tea and aloe vera gel, apply it and leave it on for about 15 minutes. Wash it off gently.
6. Sandalwood and Rose Water Paste
Both sandalwood and rose water are extremely good for your skin. Using sufficient rose water and two tablespoons of sandalwood powder, make a smooth paste. Apply it on your face and leave it on for 15 minutes. Wash off with water and repeat this every day.
7. Cornstarch and Apple Cider Vinegar
Cornstarch acts as absorbent of excess oil from your skin while the vinegar acts as an astringent. Make a paste with 3 teaspoons of cornstarch and one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar. Apply and leave it on for half an hour, before washing it off with cool water.
8. Potato
Cool a potato in the fridge for some time. Peel and grate it. Apply the grated potato on your face and leave it on till it dries. Or you can extract the juice from the potato, soak cotton pads in it. You can also rub potato slices on your face.
9. Pomegranate Peel Powder
Pomegranate is known to sooth acne and milia, and is a good source of vitamin C. It also has exfoliating and antioxidant properties, making the ruby-red fruit a wonderful skincare product. Roast some pomegranate peels till they become brown and brittle, and crush them into a powder. Add a little rose water or lemon juice to about two tablespoons of the powder and make a paste. Leave it on for 15-20 minutes and rinse gently.
10. Egg Mask
Make a mixture with these ingredients from your pantry – half teaspoon almond oil, egg white of one egg, one tablespoon raw and warm honey and one tablespoon yoghurt. Leave it on your skin for about 30 minutes and rinse off.
11. Tea Tree Oil
This essential oil has antifungal and antibacterial properties which not only ensures removal of milia but also helps to keep them at bay in future. Take some of the oil in a bowl, soak it on some cotton and apply it on the milia. Make sure you clean your face before applying it. You can also add a few drops of this oil in any one of the face scrubs or masks.
12. Fenugreek Leaves
Grind some fenugreek leaves with some water and apply the paste on the affected area. Leave it on for 15-20 minutes and rinse off. Repeat this daily. Fenugreek leaves is an easy and ultimate home remedy to get rid of milia spots.
Precautions against a future outbreak of milia
- Stay away from direct sunlight.
- Try to avoid heavy cosmetics.
- Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands.
- Never pop your pimples.
- Get into a regular skincare routine of exfoliation and cleansing.