13/11/2020
And this is exactly why we say eye creams aren’t exactly necessary. They have the potential to cause clogging which leads to these small white bumps called “milia”. They are explained very well by , she says:
Often mistaken for whiteheads, milia are hard, white/yellow, pearl-like bumps filled with dead skin cells and keratin. They are nicknamed “milk spots” since sometimes newborn babies get them too.
They are typically found around the eye area - included eyelids, nose, or upper cheeks but really can appear anywhere on your face. There are two types and causes of milia - primary and secondary.
Primary Milia
Dead skin cells get trapped in the pore and the build-up doesn’t “self-exfoliate” so it forms a tiny cyst. (Why it’s common for them to form around the eye area is because we typically don’t exfoliate there!)
Secondary Milia
This type of milia is caused by trauma or products like an eye cream that are super rich, sun damage, or even the use of strong corticosteroid cream. It can also be caused by sleeping in your makeup. (Yet another reason to wash your damn face at night!)
How To Treat
I will first say for milia on the eyelid or super close to your eye I would seek professional help and don’t attempt to treat yourself at home.
〰️ Don’t pick them or try to extract them at home! They can’t just be squeezed out and fingernails or blackhead extractors will just bruise and damage your surrounding skin. If you want them gone ASAP you will need to see a dermatologist, nurse, or esthetician since a sanitary puncture to the skin is required to remove. (I will note this varies state to state as some states don’t allow estheticians to use lancets.)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
〰️ Just leave it. Sometimes they go away on their own.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
〰️ Use a retinoid, get a pro peel, or use a home peel. It will dissolve the top layer of skin and the milia will (eventually) just pop out on its own.
How To Prevent
〰️ Evaluate your products. Are you using a super-rich eye cream or concealer? It may be too much for that delicate skin and you may want to retire it.
〰️ Use an AHA product regularly like a toner or serum to help keep dead skin cells from accumulating.
