Unless you’ve hit the genetic jackpot, bumps, breakouts, and other kinds of skin congestion are as normal as it gets. And if you’re seeing tiny white bumps that appear out of nowhere and never come to a head, then you might be working with milia. We’ll start with the good news: Milia, which most often show up around the eyes and forehead, are very normal and completely harmless. So it’s not like you have to think about milia removal right this second.
But, as with zits and puffiness, you might not necessarily want to live with it. If that’s the case, a dedicated milia treatment can go a long way. Since milia are caused by dead skin cells, the best way to address and prevent milia is to exfoliate skin regularly, using gentle methods that remove the dead cells without stressing skin out or accidentally harming the skin barrier. With that in mind, here’s what you need to know.
What is milia?
Milia are those very small white bumps that appear on the face; they tend to pop up around the eyes, on the forehead, across the cheeks, and sometimes, even on the nose. Unlike other textural issues, like zits or ingrown hairs, these bumps are filled with dead skin cells that have accumulated over time. You can’t (and shouldn’t) squeeze or pick at them, since that can lead to hyperpigmentation, but they sometimes go away on their own.
What causes milia?
Some people are born with milia (in fact, even babies can have it). But milia may also appear as you get older. It’s not that aging necessarily causes milia; rather, as you get older, your cell turnover (a.k.a. the body’s process of pushing new, healthy skin cells to the surface and shedding the dead ones) naturally slows down. And when that happens, this new skin can grow on top of those dead cells, which eventually harden and form the bump.
Sun damage also slows down cell turnover, so if you skip the sunscreen regularly, you might see an uptick in bumps. Milia can also pop up if you use products that are too rich for your skin type, which is why it’s so important to find a good eye cream; occlusive formulas are a common offender.
The best milia treatments to try
Technically, you don't have to treat milia, and sometimes these bumps go away on their own. But if you're prone to milia, you could just keep getting them over and over, meaning that even as old bumps disappear, new ones keep popping up.
Whether that's the case or you just want to address them now rather than wait — completely understandable! — then certain products can help. The trick is to tackle the build-up of dead skin cells before they clump together and turn into these annoying little bumps.
Exfoliate in the morning
Since milia is primarily caused by dead skin cells that don’t fall off on their own, you can give them a nudge by exfoliating regularly. In the morning, suds up with our Black Rice Triple AHA Gentle Cleansing Gel, a foaming gel that gently cleanses any products you applied the night before and resurfaces skin.
It’s powered by a Triple AHA complex comprising citric, mandelic, and tartaric acids, three mild yet effective alpha hydroxy acids that slough away dead skin cells without irritating skin or leaving it feeling tight and dry. (Alpha hydroxy acids work by dissolving the bonds that hold dead cells together, effectively helping them get unstuck.)
To leave skin extra soft and hydrated, Triple AHA Gentle Cleansing Gel is also infused with fermented black rice, an antioxidant-rich ingredient that helps brighten skin and boost elasticity, as well coco-betaine, which delivers moisture and helps balance skin. Since the formula is pH-balanced, it’s easygoing on the skin barrier — but still does the hard work of removing grime, pollutants, makeup, and excess oil from skin.
Apply retinol in the evenings
Retinol is an MVP for your skin for a lot of reasons: It spurs skin cell turnover and stimulates collagen production, leaving skin brighter, clearer, and firmer — all good things. But retinol’s ability to get rid of dead skin cells is what makes it especially helpful for milia removal.
Think of it this way: Your morning exfoliant is working from the outside to dislodge that gunk and keep build-up at bay. But retinol works on a deeper level, helping push new skin cells to the surface of skin and encouraging the dead ones to shed. That’s why the Black Rice Night Knight Retinol Serum can be a game-changing milia treatment. And, not only does the retinol help control milia, but it also works to soften wrinkles, boost elasticity, and minimize clogged pores.
On top of that, it’s paired with our patented bakuchiol; bakuchiol is a plant-derived retinol alternative that delivers similar benefits to retinol, but without the typical irritation. To keep skin comfortable and calm, the Night Knight Serum also contains ceramides, which bolster the skin barrier and help trap moisture, as well as fermented black rice, which is brimming with protective antioxidants. That makes it suitable for most skin types, and the milky, lightweight serum is a breeze to apply.
Start by using it once or twice a week, then gradually increase it if you don’t notice any dryness or flaking. If you’re sensitive to retinol or just trying it for the first time, try the sandwich method, which entails applying it between moisturizer — so, apply moisturizer, then your retinol, then a second layer of moisturizer. That gives the skin barrier extra support, making dryness, redness, and irritation a lot less likely.
Swap in a sensitive skin-friendly serum
If you can’t handle retinol — or you’re pregnant or nursing, with which retinol isn’t recommended — then reach for our 3% PHA Gentle Exfoliating Serum. It’s powered by polyhydroxy acid, or PHA, which is an even gentler cousin to alpha hydroxy acids and able to clear pores, remove dead skin, and boost radiance. We paired PHA with a patented ingredient, Anti Sebum P, which helps control sebum so your skin looks less oily.
If you’re into skinimalism or just want to streamline your routine, you’re in luck: The 3% PHA Gentle Exfoliating Serum is a two-phase product; start by using it two to three times a week to take care of your existing milia. After that, you can use it just once or twice a week to prevent milia in the future — and enjoy your smooth, bump-free skin for good.
Exactly How to Get Rid of Milia Once and For All
Unless you’ve hit the genetic jackpot, bumps, breakouts, and other kinds of skin congestion are as normal as it gets. And if you’re seeing tiny white bumps that appear out of nowhere and never come to a head, then you might be working with milia. We’ll start with the good news: Milia, which most often show up around the eyes and forehead, are very normal and completely harmless. So it’s not like you have to think about milia removal right this second.
But, as with zits and puffiness, you might not necessarily want to live with it. If that’s the case, a dedicated milia treatment can go a long way. Since milia are caused by dead skin cells, the best way to address and prevent milia is to exfoliate skin regularly, using gentle methods that remove the dead cells without stressing skin out or accidentally harming the skin barrier. With that in mind, here’s what you need to know.
What is milia?
Milia are those very small white bumps that appear on the face; they tend to pop up around the eyes, on the forehead, across the cheeks, and sometimes, even on the nose. Unlike other textural issues, like zits or ingrown hairs, these bumps are filled with dead skin cells that have accumulated over time. You can’t (and shouldn’t) squeeze or pick at them, since that can lead to hyperpigmentation, but they sometimes go away on their own.
What causes milia?
Some people are born with milia (in fact, even babies can have it). But milia may also appear as you get older. It’s not that aging necessarily causes milia; rather, as you get older, your cell turnover (a.k.a. the body’s process of pushing new, healthy skin cells to the surface and shedding the dead ones) naturally slows down. And when that happens, this new skin can grow on top of those dead cells, which eventually harden and form the bump.
Sun damage also slows down cell turnover, so if you skip the sunscreen regularly, you might see an uptick in bumps. Milia can also pop up if you use products that are too rich for your skin type, which is why it’s so important to find a good eye cream; occlusive formulas are a common offender.
The best milia treatments to try
Technically, you don't have to treat milia, and sometimes these bumps go away on their own. But if you're prone to milia, you could just keep getting them over and over, meaning that even as old bumps disappear, new ones keep popping up.
Whether that's the case or you just want to address them now rather than wait — completely understandable! — then certain products can help. The trick is to tackle the build-up of dead skin cells before they clump together and turn into these annoying little bumps.
Exfoliate in the morning
Since milia is primarily caused by dead skin cells that don’t fall off on their own, you can give them a nudge by exfoliating regularly. In the morning, suds up with our Black Rice Triple AHA Gentle Cleansing Gel, a foaming gel that gently cleanses any products you applied the night before and resurfaces skin.
It’s powered by a Triple AHA complex comprising citric, mandelic, and tartaric acids, three mild yet effective alpha hydroxy acids that slough away dead skin cells without irritating skin or leaving it feeling tight and dry. (Alpha hydroxy acids work by dissolving the bonds that hold dead cells together, effectively helping them get unstuck.)
To leave skin extra soft and hydrated, Triple AHA Gentle Cleansing Gel is also infused with fermented black rice, an antioxidant-rich ingredient that helps brighten skin and boost elasticity, as well coco-betaine, which delivers moisture and helps balance skin. Since the formula is pH-balanced, it’s easygoing on the skin barrier — but still does the hard work of removing grime, pollutants, makeup, and excess oil from skin.
Apply retinol in the evenings
Retinol is an MVP for your skin for a lot of reasons: It spurs skin cell turnover and stimulates collagen production, leaving skin brighter, clearer, and firmer — all good things. But retinol’s ability to get rid of dead skin cells is what makes it especially helpful for milia removal.
Think of it this way: Your morning exfoliant is working from the outside to dislodge that gunk and keep build-up at bay. But retinol works on a deeper level, helping push new skin cells to the surface of skin and encouraging the dead ones to shed. That’s why the Black Rice Night Knight Retinol Serum can be a game-changing milia treatment. And, not only does the retinol help control milia, but it also works to soften wrinkles, boost elasticity, and minimize clogged pores.
On top of that, it’s paired with our patented bakuchiol; bakuchiol is a plant-derived retinol alternative that delivers similar benefits to retinol, but without the typical irritation. To keep skin comfortable and calm, the Night Knight Serum also contains ceramides, which bolster the skin barrier and help trap moisture, as well as fermented black rice, which is brimming with protective antioxidants. That makes it suitable for most skin types, and the milky, lightweight serum is a breeze to apply.
Start by using it once or twice a week, then gradually increase it if you don’t notice any dryness or flaking. If you’re sensitive to retinol or just trying it for the first time, try the sandwich method, which entails applying it between moisturizer — so, apply moisturizer, then your retinol, then a second layer of moisturizer. That gives the skin barrier extra support, making dryness, redness, and irritation a lot less likely.
Swap in a sensitive skin-friendly serum
If you can’t handle retinol — or you’re pregnant or nursing, with which retinol isn’t recommended — then reach for our 3% PHA Gentle Exfoliating Serum. It’s powered by polyhydroxy acid, or PHA, which is an even gentler cousin to alpha hydroxy acids and able to clear pores, remove dead skin, and boost radiance. We paired PHA with a patented ingredient, Anti Sebum P, which helps control sebum so your skin looks less oily.
If you’re into skinimalism or just want to streamline your routine, you’re in luck: The 3% PHA Gentle Exfoliating Serum is a two-phase product; start by using it two to three times a week to take care of your existing milia. After that, you can use it just once or twice a week to prevent milia in the future — and enjoy your smooth, bump-free skin for good.