How to Get Rid of Milia: Causes, Treatments, Prevention, and the Best Skincare for Smoother Skin

If you've noticed tiny white bumps on your face that won't pop no matter what you try, you're likely dealing with milia. Unlike acne or whiteheads, milia are small cysts filled with keratin that form just beneath the skin's surface. They're harmless but can be frustrating, especially when they appear around the eyes, cheeks, nose, or forehead.

The good news? Milia can often be treated and prevented with the right combination of professional skincare treatments, ingredients that promote healthy skin turnover, and a personalized skincare routine.

At The Parlour, we take an ingredient-first approach to skin health, pairing evidence-based treatments with carefully selected skincare to help improve skin texture while supporting long-term skin health.

Milia at a Glance

What are milia?

Tiny, firm cysts filled with keratin that become trapped beneath the skin.

What causes milia?

Slowed skin turnover, sun damage, genetics, skin trauma, and sometimes heavy or occlusive skincare products.

Can you pop milia?

No. Milia don't have an opening like pimples, and attempting to squeeze them can damage the skin and increase the risk of scarring or pigmentation.

What's the best way to treat milia?

Professional evaluation, gentle extraction when appropriate, treatments that encourage healthy skin renewal, and a skincare routine that supports regular cell turnover.

What Are Milia?

Milia are small, white or yellowish bumps that develop when keratin, a structural protein found naturally in the skin, becomes trapped beneath the outer layer of the skin instead of shedding normally.

Because they're not clogged pores, milia are not considered acne. They don't contain oil or bacteria, and they rarely become inflamed or painful. While newborns commonly develop temporary milia, adults can experience them as well—particularly around the delicate eye area, forehead, cheeks, nose, and chin. How to get rid of milia differs from other types of congestions and breakouts.

Milia vs. Whiteheads: What's the Difference?

Many people confuse milia with acne, but understanding the difference is important because they require different treatments.

Milia	Whiteheads
Filled with trapped keratin	Filled with oil, dead skin, and debris
Not caused by acne bacteria	A form of acne
Firm and difficult to extract	Softer and may drain naturally
Usually not inflamed	Can become red or inflamed
Often requires professional treatment	Often responds to acne skincare

Another condition commonly mistaken for milia is sebaceous hyperplasia, which appears as flesh-colored or yellow bumps caused by enlarged oil glands rather than trapped keratin.

What Causes Milia?

There isn't one single cause of milia. Instead, they're usually the result of keratin becoming trapped because normal skin renewal has slowed or been disrupted. Common causes include:

Slower Skin Cell Turnover

As we age, our skin naturally sheds dead skin cells more slowly. This can allow keratin to accumulate beneath the surface instead of being released naturally.

Sun Damage

Chronic UV exposure thickens the outer layer of the skin over time and can interfere with normal exfoliation, making milia more likely to develop.

This is one more reason why wearing sunscreen every day isn't just about preventing skin cancer—it's also important for maintaining smoother, healthier-looking skin.

Skin Trauma

Milia sometimes appear while the skin heals after burns, rashes, laser procedures, or other injuries. These are known as secondary milia.

Genetics

Some people simply have a genetic tendency to develop milia regardless of their skincare routine.

Heavy Skincare Products

Rich creams don't automatically cause milia, but individuals who are prone to them may notice they develop more frequently when using very occlusive products around the eyes or face.

How to Get Rid of Milia: Can You Remove Milia Yourself?

One of the most searched questions online is "Can you pop milia?" The answer is no.

Unlike a pimple, a milium doesn't have an opening that allows it to drain. Attempting to remove one with your fingers, tweezers, or needles can lead to:

• Skin damage

• Infection

• Hyperpigmentation

• Scarring

• Delayed healing

Instead, persistent milia should be evaluated by a qualified skincare professional who can determine the safest treatment based on your skin type and the location of the lesion.

Professional Treatments for Milia

Although some milia disappear on their own, many adults benefit from treatments that improve skin renewal and reduce the buildup of dead skin cells that contributes to their formation.

Professional Exfoliation

Regular professional exfoliation encourages healthy skin turnover by removing accumulated dead skin cells before they become trapped beneath the surface.

Professional facials can also help improve skin texture while supporting overall skin health, making them an excellent addition to a maintenance routine for individuals prone to milia.

Dermaplaning

One of the most effective ways to improve superficial skin texture is dermaplaning. This treatment gently removes dead skin cells and fine vellus hair using a sterile surgical blade. By reducing surface buildup, dermaplaning promotes smoother skin and allows skincare products to penetrate more effectively.

At The Parlour, Dermaplane & Glow combines professional dermaplaning with nourishing skincare to reveal brighter, healthier-looking skin. While dermaplaning doesn't remove every existing milium, it can help reduce the conditions that contribute to future buildup.

Chemical Peels

Chemical peels work by accelerating the skin's natural exfoliation process.

Medium-depth peels such as The Perfect Derma Peel stimulate cellular renewal, improve uneven texture, and encourage healthier skin turnover. For individuals prone to recurring milia, periodic professional peeling may become an important part of a long-term skin maintenance plan.

PureYAG Radiance Laser Skin Rejuvenation

Healthy collagen production plays an important role in maintaining resilient, youthful skin.

PureYAG Radiance uses the Candela GentleMax Pro Nd laser to stimulate collagen while improving overall skin texture, tone, and skin quality. Although it isn't a direct treatment for milia themselves, smoother, healthier skin renewal can complement a comprehensive treatment plan designed to improve texture over time.

Oxygen Glow Facial

Healthy skin begins with a healthy skin barrier. The Oxygen Glow Facial infuses oxygen along with deeply hydrating ingredients that help support the skin's natural barrier. Proper hydration allows the skin to function more efficiently, recover from environmental stressors, and maintain healthier cellular turnover.

Microneedling with PDRN

Microneedling encourages collagen production through controlled micro-injuries that activate the skin's natural healing response.When combined with PDRN, the treatment also supports skin regeneration and recovery. While microneedling isn't considered a primary treatment for existing milia, improving skin renewal and overall skin quality may help reduce rough texture and support healthier skin over time.

The Best Skincare Ingredients for Milia

When it comes to preventing milia, ingredients matter far more than trendy products.

Retinoids

Retinoids remain the gold standard for encouraging healthy cell turnover. By helping skin shed more efficiently, they reduce the likelihood of keratin becoming trapped beneath the surface.

Glycolic and Lactic Acid

Alpha hydroxy acids gently exfoliate the skin while promoting smoother texture and brighter skin. Glycolic acid penetrates deeply to improve skin renewal, while lactic acid offers similar benefits with added hydration, making it an excellent choice for sensitive or dry skin.

Salicylic Acid

Although milia aren't acne, salicylic acid helps remove excess buildup and supports clearer skin, particularly for individuals who experience both acne and milia.

Niacinamide

Niacinamide helps strengthen the skin barrier, reduce irritation, and improve overall skin function—an important part of maintaining healthy skin renewal.

Ceramides and Hyaluronic Acid

Hydrated skin functions better.

Ceramides reinforce the skin barrier, while hyaluronic acid attracts moisture to help maintain smooth, resilient skin. Products such as Hydration Haven and Dew Drop HA Serum from Hazy Halo are excellent examples of formulas that support barrier health without relying on heavy, occlusive ingredients.

Vitamin C and Antioxidants

Environmental damage contributes to premature aging and slower skin renewal.

Vitamin C helps defend against free radicals while supporting brighter, healthier-looking skin. Glow Getter Silky Vitamin C Serum combines antioxidant ingredients that complement a preventative skincare routine focused on long-term skin health.

Gentle Cleansing

Over-cleansing or using harsh cleansers can compromise the skin barrier. Instead, look for gentle cleansers that remove dirt, sunscreen, and excess oil without stripping the skin. A hydrating cleanser such as Zesty Zen Hydrating Gentle Citrus Cleanser is an example of a formula that supports skin comfort while maintaining the barrier.

Daily Sunscreen

Daily SPF is one of the most overlooked steps in preventing rough skin texture. By protecting against UV damage, sunscreen helps preserve healthy skin turnover and supports the results of professional treatments.

How to Help Prevent Milia

While milia can't always be prevented, you can reduce your risk by:

• Wearing broad-spectrum sunscreen every day.

• Using ingredients that encourage healthy skin turnover.

• Avoiding picking or squeezing bumps.

• Keeping the skin hydrated and maintaining a healthy skin barrier.

• Scheduling regular professional exfoliation based on your provider's recommendations.

• Choosing skincare that's appropriate for your skin type rather than assuming richer products are always better.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will milia go away on their own?

Some may resolve naturally, but many adult milia persist without professional treatment.

Can children and adults both get milia?

Yes. Milia are common in newborns but can develop at any age.

Does retinol remove milia?

Retinoids don't instantly remove existing milia, but they help normalize skin turnover and may reduce future formation.

Can sunscreen cause milia?

Not typically. In fact, sunscreen helps protect against sun damage, which can contribute to slower skin renewal over time. The key is choosing a sunscreen that's appropriate for your skin type.

Clearer, Smoother Skin Starts with the Right Plan

Milia may be small, but treating them effectively requires understanding why they form in the first place. Combining professional treatments that encourage healthy skin renewal with skincare rich in ingredients like retinoids, alpha hydroxy acids, niacinamide, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, antioxidants, and daily SPF can help improve skin texture while reducing future buildup.

At The Parlour, every treatment plan is tailored to your unique skin concerns. Whether you're interested in professional exfoliation, Dermaplane & Glow, PureYAG Radiance, The Perfect Derma Peel, Oxygen Glow Facial, Microneedling with PDRN, or a customized skincare routine featuring Hazy Halo products, our team can help you develop a plan that supports healthier, smoother skin for the long term. Click here to schedule your free consultation today!