Clearing Up Your Undereye: White Bumps and Milia.

Do you take good care of your skin, only to find you have little white bumps on the skin under your eyes?

Feels like a really specific skin ailment, doesn’t it?

Not so! Many adults get these tiny bumps on their faces and often mistake them for whiteheads. In fact, the majority of these bumps are actually called milia, and they are very treatable!

What causes milia?

When dead skin gets trapped in the pores, it can create a keratin-filled bump under the skin. Since the skin around your eyes is more sensitive than the rest of your face, that is often where we find these milia. And they are completely treatable.

How do you treat milia?

Don’t pick at or pop the bumps. You will only cause further damage to the skin and very likely create a scar.

Create a simple skincare routine. Gently cleanse your skin and make sure all makeup and oil are removed before starting to add any serums or moisturizers. Use eye creams that are not oil-based as oils can exacerbate the milia.

Incorporate gentle exfoliation. Slowly introduce AHA and BHA exfoliators into your skincare routine. These will help clear away the build-up of the dead skin, avoiding future bumps and gradually clearing the existing milia. A highly rated option is Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant.

Visit your dermatologist. If the milia persist, it’s always a good idea to check in with your dermatologist. They can give you prescription-strength products that can decrease the bumps. They have specific tools, as well, to manually remove the stubborn spots without damaging the skin long term.