Usually benign in nature, the little white/yellowish unsightly bumps you see around your eyes or on the hands, arms, neck and chest are signs of milia. A condition that involves the development of keratin-filled cysts around and under the eyes (in most cases), milia can spread out to other regions on the face, arms and chest and persist for years. The cause for milia is unknown but it is believed to have been caused by clogged pores, improper skin functioning in wearing out dead skin cells and/or inefficient production of new skin cells/pigment. It can also be caused due to sun damage, blisters and prolonged or excessive usage of heavy pore-clogging cosmetics, skincare products and steroid creams. While milia cysts aren’t itchy or harmful and do not cause pain, they can mar your appearance and inflict a serious blow on your self-esteem. While you could always visit a dermatologist to find solutions, there are some easy home remedies for milia that have been proven to be effective in getting rid of the cysts.
Image source: dthomas
Here are a few home remedies for milia you can use:
1. Facial sauna
A facial sauna helps to wear out accumulated dead skin cells and clear out clogged pores, thereby facilitating in treating milia. You could either soak a towel in hot water, wring out excess moisture and place it on your ace for about 10 minutes, repeating the process in succession for about 5-8 rounds or simply, go for a steam for 10-15 minutes daily. You could follow up the routine by applying apple cider vinegar or castor oil to your face. Using this remedy every day for 2-3 weeks an show significant improvement.
2. Honey
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The antioxidant and humectant properties of honey help to treat milia by helping to retain moisture and avoid dryness. Using honey in combination with other ingredients also helps to create a scrub for exfoliation and instant glow. Therefore, you could either use honey on your face for 10-15 minutes daily or create a mixture with jojoba oil and use it on your face for the same duration before rinsing it off. Using the remedy twice daily can show significant improvement. Alternatively, you could add 1tbsp of granulated sugar and 3tbsp of oatmeal to the above mixture to create a scrub that you can use to gently scrub your face twice in a week to notice the results.
3. Sandalwood and rose water
A combination of sandalwood powder and rose water acts as an effective pack to wring out excessive oil unclog skin pores and remove dead skin cells, thereby helping to treat milia. Spread the pack evenly on your face and wash off with cold water. Repeating the process daily for a few weeks shall yield tremendous improvement.
4. Pomegranate peel
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The antioxidant and exfoliating properties of pomegranate peel make it an excellent remedy for treating milia. Moreover, the Vitamin C content helps in treating other skin problems like acne and irritation. Using roast pomegranate powder with a little lemon juice or rose water to create a fine paste for applying on affected areas I going to yield significant results. You need to use this remedy twice in a week to begin to see improvement.
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5. Castor oil
The natural antibacterial and healing properties of castor oil helps in regulating oil production on the skin, weeding out infections and soothing the skin- thereby, treating a number of skin ailments including milia. Simply, apply castor oil to your face and leave it on until it is completely absorbed into your skin. You could also mix castor oil with equal quantities of olive oil and use the mixture in the same way. Alternatively, you can use a paste of one teaspoon of castor oil and 1tbsp baking soda, leave it on for a few hours and then wash it off. Doing this daily for a few weeks shall yield significant results.
6. Sugar scrub
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Using a sugar scrub can help to exfoliate your skin, thereby proving to be extremely useful in treating milia. Using the scrub in combination with lemon juice can leave you with a soft, supple skin and a healthy glow. Squeeze the juice from half a lemon and mix it with 2 tbsp of granulated sugar and 1 tbsp olive oil. Use the mixture as a scrub and leave it on for 20 minutes before rinsing off. Follow the remedy twice in a week for considerable improvement.
7. Cornstarch and vinegar
A combination of cornstarch and vinegar (particularly apple cider vinegar) can help to treat milia, particularly whitehead-type milia. While vinegar acts as astringent, cornstarch helps in exfoliation and wringing out excessive oil. Make a fine paste with the ingredients, and apply it on the affected areas. Leave the paste on for about half an hour before removing it with a soft cloth soaked in warm water. Rinse and repeat the process daily to begin to see positive results.
8. Tea tree oil
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Tea tree oil works as a disinfectant and can facilitate drying out of milia bumps. All you need to do is use a small amount of tea tree oil on the affected areas to see improvement. Simply, dab a little of the oil on the bumps and leave on for about twenty minutes daily before rinsing off.
9. Aloe vera
The soothing, anti-inflammatory properties of aloe vera help to wear off milia as well as open up the clogged pores. You simply need to massage the affected areas with the gel extracted from aloe vera leaves and leave it on overnight before rinsing off. Alternatively, you could use a combination of equal parts aloe vera gel and green tea to fade out milia marks and treat other skin ailments in the process.
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10. Fenugreek leaves
Fenugreek leaves have antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that help in treating milia as well as clearing out other skin blemishes, marks, boils, blackheads and more. Grind a handful of fenugreek leaves in water and apply the paste to your face. Leave it on for 15-20 minutes before washing it off with cold water. Repeating the process daily shall yield positive results.
Also, you may want to avoid using harsh chemicals, cosmetics and/or other skincare products during the treatment span as well as limit exposure to sun, pollution and/or other deterrents. You may also consume enough water, fresh fruit juice and herbal tea to flush out toxins and take care of your skin.
Did we miss out any home remedies for milia that you know of? Tell us in the comments below.
Featured image source: dthomas
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