Are Annoying little cysts popping up surprisingly on your skin in white or yellow? Then there are chances of you suffering from milia. These are bead-like cysts which sit on your skin and hinder your beautiful skin no matter how much you clean it. If you want to know how to get rid of milia, then read on!
What are Milia?
Milia is a condition of developing yellow or white bumps on your skin usually cheeks and nose in groups(1).
Causes
- Long exposure to the sun
- Facial surgeries or treatments
- Blistering due to allergies
- Blistering due to any skin conditions
- Skin aging
- Long use of steroid creams
Types
- Neonatal Milia
- Gardner’s syndrome
- Pachyonychia congenital
- Milia En Plaque
- Juvenile Milia
- Nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome
- Multiple Eruptive Milia
- Bazex-Dupré-Christol syndrome
- Traumatic Milia
Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Milia
1. Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is a magical solution for several problems. Its popularity in treating milia comes from its acidic properties.
How to use?
- Take apple cider vinegar in a bowl
- Dip the cotton ball in it
- Apply it on the affected areas of your skin
- Let it dry for a few minutes
- There is no need to wash to it off
- For better results, you can also add corn-starch to it
- Repeat it three times every fortnight for useful effect
Benefits
The acidic properties of apple cider vinegar clear the clogged pores of the skin, causing the milia cysts to clear up. It also works on killing and reducing the bacteria on the surface which is one significant cause of milia.
Precaution
Use sterilized and clean cotton to apply the vinegar to the affected area. Make sure there are no open wounds before applying apple cider vinegar as it may cause intense irritation in the skin.
[Also Read: Apple Cider Vinegar for Skin]
2. Sugar Scrub
How to use?
- Take sugar in a bowl
- Add honey and lime juice to it
- Mix the contents well
- Apply the mix of the three on the affected areas of your skin
- Massage your cheeks and face in circular motions with this scrub
- After scrubbing for a few minutes, rinse off your face with lukewarm water
- Repeat this scrub twice a week
Benefits
Sugar has granules which tend to be a fantastic exfoliator. A sugar scrub is helpful in unclogging of pores by the removal of dead skin cells for the surface of the skin and making your skin free from milia.
Precaution
Massage the scrub gently on the penis as the skin is fragile and delicate in that region. Applying too much pressure may cause rashes and redness.
3. Epsom Salt Bath
Epsom salt bath specializes in treating the milia, itching due to milia and inflammation. If you are looking for how to get rid of milia, this is the way to go.
Benefits
It helps in draining out the bacteria from the body and reduces the tendency of the body to catch the same condition in the future.
How to use?
- Add two cups of Epsom salt in the bathtub of hot water
- Soak yourself in water for about fifteen minutes
- Remove the tub and pat dry with a clean and dry towel
- Repeat the same every day
Precaution
Make sure the water is not boiling. Moisturize well after the bath.
4. Honey
Honey is an incredible moisturizer, and it soothes the delicate skin of and around the face naturally.
How to use?
- Take honey in a pan and let it get warm
- When it’s warm enough to be applied on the skin, use the organic honey to the affected areas of your face
- Let it stay for about twenty minutes
- Wash it off with regular water
- Repeat it every alternate day for best results
Benefits
Honey has excellent antibacterial properties and peels off the bacterial growth on the skin to make the clogged pores free from all the bacterial accumulation. Due to its consistency, it can reach deep into the pores and pop out the milia cysts for clearer and beautiful skin.
Best Foods to Eat
- Garlic
- Onion
- Turmeric
- Honey
These have antibacterial compounds which slow down the symptoms of the condition.
[Read More: Health Benefits Of Honey]
Foods to Avoid
- Poultry products
- Milk and dairy products
- Fillings of sandwiches
- Potato and macaroni
- Meat products
- Bakery products
These foods can exaggerate the status of the condition.
5. Aloe Vera Gel
If you are looking for how to get rid of milia, Aloe Vera Gel is one of the best home remedies to use.
How to use?
- Take a spoon and scoop out the fresh gel from the leaf of the plant
- Apply it on the affected areas of the body
- Let it stay for as long as you can
- There is even no need to wash it off
- Repeat the same as many times as you can in a day
- The more, the merrier
Benefits
The compounds present in the Aloe Vera Gel fasten the healing process of the infection. It is an excellent moisturizer and has anti-inflammatory properties. The gel helps in reducing the itching, redness, and inflammation of the body on the affected areas. It works on providing a soothing and calming effect on the symptoms of the infection.
Precaution
Use freshly scooped Aloe Vera Gel only. Do not for chemically processed gel.
[Read: Uses of Aloe Vera for Skin]
6. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree essential oil is one of the best essential oils for milia. It is very gentle and can be used on sensitive skin as it has no side effects.
How to use?
- Add tea tree essential oil in a carrier oil like jojoba oil or coconut oil
- Apply the blend of the oils on the affected areas of the body
- Seal the area with a bandage
- Let it stay for about twenty minutes
- Wash off with regular water
- Repeat the same process five times a day
Benefits of using Tea Tree Essential oil
Tea tree essential oil has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties and works on reducing the itching and pain of the affected area. It helps in the soothing of the skin and aids in preventing infections.
Precaution
Always dilute the essential oil before using it on your skin. Take a patch test at the back of your hand to ensure that it is suitable for your skin. If the blend causes itching or burning sensation, wash off immediately. For using it on kids, you can dilute the tea tree essential oil with baby oil.
Other Home Remedies for Milia
- Add one tablespoon of turmeric to a glass of hot milk and consume it every night before going to bed
- Apply the paste of baking soda and water on the affected areas of the body. You can make the paste by mixing equal amounts of baking soda and water and then applying it. Wash it off with cold water.
- Massage your body with coconut oil or olive oil each day to soothe down the symptoms of the milia
- Apply onion juice on the redness and pimples caused by the contamination on the skin
- Consume cranberry juice daily to fasten the healing process of the infection and reduce the chance of getting infected by the same bacteria again.
- Ginger juice and honey blend are a great source of antibacterial compounds which help to treat bacterial infections quickly.
- Apply tomato and lemon juice on the affected areas of the body.
- Along with going forward with these natural remedies and home remedies, there are a few preventions and precautions; one must take to avoid severe conditions of milia.
Precautions and Prevention
- Do not squeeze them
- Avoid using a lot of cosmetics on the skin
- Exfoliate twice a week
- Do not change skin care products or cosmetics for your skin regularly.
- Avoid going to bed with makeup on
- Develop a daily skin care regime to maintain healthy skin.
Bottom Line
The condition of milia can get treated at home. Before going for medicines or treatments, make sure you try these natural remedies. With these remedies, you can get rid of milia at home naturally in no time.
