A milium cyst is a small, hard, white bump that is sometimes confused with a whitehead. Multiple cysts are called milia. Milia occur when keratin becomes trapped beneath the surface of the skin. Milia typically appear on the nose and cheeks and can impact people of all ethnicities or ages. However, they’re most common in newborns.

In older children and adults, milia are typically associated with some type of damage to the skin including sun damage, burns, blistering, steroid cream use, or resurfacing procedures.

5 ways to get rid of Milia:

1. Don’t pick, scratch, or try to remove them
If you notice milia on you or your child's face, don’t pick at the affected area. Trying to remove milia can cause bleeding and scarring. Scraping the skin can also introduce bacteria and cause infection. (In the case of infants, the best thing to do for milia is to leave the bumps alone. They will clear up on their own).

2. Cleanse the area
Make sure you’re washing your face with a gentle, natural cleanser each day. A cleanser that is too harsh will strip your face of the oils it needs to stay balanced. Try the Rosewater Cleanser to keep milia at bay.

3. Soften your pores with steam
After cleansing, you may find it beneficial and relaxing to gently steam your skin. Allow the shower to fill with warm steam by running hot water. Sit and relax in the steamy shower for 10 minutes. The steam will gently soften your pores and help your skin release impurities. When finished, rinse with lukewarm water and pat your face dry.

4. Gently exfoliate the area
Gentle skin exfoliation might help keep your skin free of irritants that cause milia. Try the Exfoliating Mineral Facial Polish to gently slough away dead skin. Exfoliating too much can irritate the skin, so don’t do it every day. Start by it once a week and see if it improves your milia.

5. Opt for a light moisturizer
You should already be moisturizing every day to protect your skin from water loss. Make sure it isn’t too heavy to reduce the risk of milia forming. Try a lighter moisturizer like the Intense Hydration Cactus Concentrate instead.

Most milia bumps will resolve on their own after a few weeks, particularly in babies. However, this isn’t often the case for adults with milia. If your baby has recurring milia outbreaks, or if milia don’t go away, you may need to see a dermatologist. Sometimes a dermatologist will use a tiny needle to manually extract the milia safely. In the mean time, try these tips to see if they help.