Milia: What They Are, Why They Form, and How to Treat Them Safely
- Wild Alchemy Botanicals
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Aaah, milia — most of us have had them, some of us still do, and many (myself included) have tried to perform DIY surgery with a sewing needle. Those tiny, stubborn white bumps that appear around the eyes or cheeks? They’re called milia — small, hard cysts that form when keratin becomes trapped beneath the skin.
They’re harmless, but persistent, and tend to show up in delicate areas that don’t exfoliate efficiently. Milia can appear at any age and are especially common around the eyes, temples, and upper cheeks — areas where the skin barrier is fine, dry, and slow to renew.
What Milia Are Made Of
At their core, milia are tiny keratin-filled cysts that sit just beneath the surface of the skin. Unlike breakouts, they’re not caused by bacteria or inflammation — they’re simply trapped dead skin cells that harden over time.
They tend to appear where the skin’s renewal cycle is slower or the barrier is compromised — around the eyes, temples, and cheeks, but sometimes also on the nose, jawline, or chest.
🔍 Common Causes
Milia can develop for a range of reasons — some internal, others environmental:
• Delayed skin turnover or poor exfoliation
• Long-term use of heavy creams or steroid ointments
• Prolonged UV exposure and barrier dehydration
• Chronic allergies or sensitive skin
• Climate extremes — hot, dry days followed by cold nights (as seen in regions like Azerbaijan, where I often noticed the highest incidence of periorbital milia)
• Post-treatment or trauma (after burns, rashes, or laser resurfacing)
In essence, anything that slows normal desquamation (the natural process of shedding dead skin cells) or impairs barrier repair can trigger them.
Environmental & Lifestyle Links
Rapid temperature changes and humidity swings — particularly moving between air-conditioned interiors and dry outdoor heat — can cause micro-cracks in the barrier, encouraging keratin to accumulate below the surface.
“This is why milia often flare in dry, sensitive, or environmentally stressed skin, or when thick occlusives are overused around the eyes.” Sandra
⚕️ Clinical Treatments (What Works — and What Doesn’t)
In-clinic, milia can be removed using:
• Sterile micro-cautery or plasma pen (performed by trained professionals)
• Fine-needle extraction after a tiny superficial incision
• Low-level cauterisation for larger or clustered lesions
⚠️ Never attempt to remove milia at home. They sit deeper than they appear, and improper removal can lead to scarring, infection, or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
At-Home Management & Prevention
You can’t exfoliate existing milia away, but you can reduce recurrence by:
• Using gel-based hydrators instead of heavy creams (especially near the eyes)• Choosing enzyme or mild AHA/BHA cleansers to gently refine texture
• Avoiding long-term topical steroid use unless medically necessary
• Supporting your barrier with lightweight, non-occlusive hydration
• Being consistent, slow, steady renewal prevents recurrence
My Recommended Routine
This is exactly why I formulated:
• Revive & Glow Serum Drops - with Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin B5, and botanical extracts to deliver deep hydration without blocking pores.
• Orange Blossom Enzymatic Gel Cleanser - powered by natural orange blossom enzymes, Mandelic AHA, and Salicylic BHA to promote gentle cell renewal and brighten dull skin without harsh exfoliation.
• Organic Rosa Damascena Enzymatic Gel Cleanser -featuring organic plant enzymes, Lactic and Mandelic AHAs to smooth texture, refine pores, and support a balanced skin barrier.
These gentle, targeted options keep delicate areas hydrated while encouraging the skin’s natural renewal rhythm.
🌿 My Final Thoughts and Encouragement
Milia are benign but persistent - and I get them too, thanks to a mix of skin allergies, sensitivities, eczema, and past steroid use. They irritate me constantly, but they’re not a flaw, just a signal that our skin’s natural shedding cycle needs a little guidance.
These experiences have shaped the way I formulate every product at Wild Alchemy Botanicals with sensitivity, barrier health, and real skin challenges in mind.
Treat them patiently, protect your barrier, and seek professional help if they linger.
Your skin knows how to heal; it just needs the right environment to do it. 🌿 Sandra
