Milia, also known as milk spots or oil seeds, are small white bumps that form on the skin of the face and body.
They can be somewhat difficult to get rid of, but many people turn to natural remedies like apple cider vinegar for relief.
But, can you use apple cider vinegar to get rid of milia? I’ll share whether ACV is an effective home remedy for getting rid of pesky milia from your face, so keep on reading to find out more…
What is Milia?
Milia are small, white, round, or oval-shaped bumps that appear on the skin’s surface.
They’re typically 1–2 millimeters in size and can occur anywhere on the skin.
Milia are caused by the build-up of dead skin cells, oil, and dirt, which make their way into the pores and create cysts.
Milium often appear in groups and are more common in infants, but can develop at any age.
What Are The Types of Milia?
There are two common types of milia, primary and secondary. Primary milia occur when the dead skin cells and debris build up on the surface of the skin and get trapped in the skin pores.
Secondary milia are caused by skin damage, such as burns, blistering, or after long-term use of steroid creams.
Multiple eruptive milia, milia en plaque, and traumatic milia are less common types of milia.
What Is The Cause of Milia?
The exact cause behind the development of milia isn’t known yet. However, some factors that may contribute to its occurrence include skin damage such as burns, injuries, and scuffs.
Usage of makeup products that clogs the pores, long-term sun exposure, and certain creams like steroid and anti-inflammatory creams may also be responsible.
The structure of skin also plays a role in the formation of milia. Infants are more prone to this condition as they have relatively thinner skin that does not allow oil and sweat to effectively evaporate, resulting in clogged pores and blisters.
It is rarely seen among older people due to their thicker epidermal layer that prevents blockage of pores.
For adults, improper hygiene or excessive cleansing can result in epidermis damage, thus leading to milia formation on areas such as the face, eyes, and nose.
Conditions like dermatitis may aggravate milia by further damaging the epidermis, resulting in trapped keratin and oil beneath it.
Consulting with a dermatologist is advised if these tiny white bumps do not go away for a longer period of time or appear frequently than usual; the symptom should be diagnosed before any treatment is started.
If left untreated for a long-term duration, it may lead to infection; hence proper diagnosis and treatment plan must be followed.
Where Are The Affected Areas of Milia?
Milia can occur on any part of the body, but are commonly found on the face, particularly around the eyes, cheeks, forehead, and nose.
They can also grow on the eyelids or under the eyes, which may affect a person’s vision.
What are the Home Remedies for Milia?
Milia are small white or yellow, hard cysts on the skin that can form around the eyes, nose and cheeks.
They are also known as miliums, eyelid milia, or baby acne. To learn how to get rid of milia, it is important to understand what causes them and the best ways to get rid of them.
Exfoliation is one way to get rid of existing milia and prevent new ones from forming in the future.
This involves using a gentle exfoliator such as a scrub or face wash with natural ingredients like papaya extract or baking soda.
Another remedy for treating milia is applying a mixture of vitamin A cream, honey and lemon juice to the milia-prone areas of your skin two times everyday for 2 weeks.
Finally, it is important to keep your skin hydrated by using moisturizers regularly and avoiding harsh skincare products as much as possible, which can clog pores where facial milia typically forms.
Can You Use Apple Cider Vinegar To Get Rid Of Milia?
Apple cider vinegar is a popular natural remedy for various skin conditions, including milia.
It contains acetic acid, which has antiseptic properties that help remove dead skin cells and impurities that block your pores.
Apple cider vinegar also contains alpha hydroxy acids (AHA’s) which can exfoliate your skin without irritating it.
Castor Oil
Castor oil is another excellent natural remedy that can help heal milia. It is high in fatty acids that deeply moisturize and hydrate the skin.
Castor oil can also penetrate deep into the skin and break down the oils and impurities that cause milia.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent that can help reduce the redness and inflammation that can occur with milia.
It also has anti-bacterial and antifungal properties, which can help prevent infections from developing within the cysts.
Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is a natural astringent that can help clear blocked pores that are causing milia. It is also rich in vitamin C, which can brighten and rejuvenate the skin.
However, lemon juice can cause irritation to sensitive skin. It’s essential to dilute it appropriately before application.
Medical Treatments
If home remedies don’t work, or the milia are particularly persistent, you can try a variety of medical treatments.
These include extracting the cysts, using creams, or undergoing laser removal.
Cyst Removal
The safest and most common way to remove milia cysts is through extraction. This is a process where a dermatologist or esthetician extracts the cysts using a sterile needle or blade.
Creams
Creams containing retinoids, alpha hydroxy acids, or beta hydroxy acids can help exfoliate the skin and eliminate the dead skin layers that are causing the blockage.
Skincare products formulated with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid can also help break down the cysts.
Can You Get Rid of Milia at Home?
Exfoliate the Skin With A Face Scrub
Exfoliating the skin gently can help remove the dead skin cells that are clogging your pores and causing your milia.
Try a gentle sugar scrub to exfoliate your skin and make your complexion smoother.
Apple Cider Vinegar as a Home Remedy
Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid, which can exfoliate and cleanse the excess oils.
It gets deep into the affected area and can remove the dead skin cells.
How to Use Apple Cider Vinegar for Milia?
Mix one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with one tablespoon of rosewater, diluting it will make it less abrasive. Soak a cotton ball in the mixture and apply it to the affected area.
Leave it overnight, then rinse your face with cold water in the morning. Use this method until the milia vanish, or for a few weeks.
Castor Oil as a Home Remedy
Castor oil is a natural emollient that can penetrate deep into the skin and has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties.
Wash your face and dry it properly. Apply a small amount of castor oil directly on the affected area and rub it gently.
Try this application for three to four times daily, or until the milia disappears.
Tea Tree Oil Milia Home Remedy
Tea tree oil has amazing astringent properties that can help remove dead skin cells from the surface of your skin, unclogging your pores and eliminating the blockages that cause milia, with anti-inflammatory properties to prevent the white spots milia.
Mix tea tree oil with a carrier oil, such as coconut oil, almond oil, or olive oil. Make sure to use a carrier oil to prevent irritation.
Apply the mixture directly on the milia lesions. Use this method for a few weeks, or until the milia are completely gone.
How To Prevent Milia?
Milia are small, white bumps that often occur on the skin – usually around the eyes, nose and forehead.
They can be embarrassing, but they are very common. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to prevent milia from forming.
First, it’s important to keep your skin clean and clear. Make sure you wash your face twice a day with an oil-free cleanser that is suitable for your skin type.
Avoid using products that contain harsh chemicals or ingredients such as alcohol, retinol or salicylic acid, which can irritate the delicate skin around the eyes and cause milia formation.
Next, always use sunscreen when going outdoors to protect against sun damage, which can contribute to milia formation due to excessive oil production in response to UV rays.
Choose a broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30+ and apply it generously each time you go out in the sun and reapply every two hours for maximum protection against both UVA and UVB rays.
Finally, make sure to properly remove makeup before bedtime using a gentle cleanser and water since leaving makeup residue on overnight will clog pores, leading to excess oil production which increases the risk of developing milia due to dead skin cells becoming trapped in pores along with bacteria.
Sun Protection to Prevent Milia
Long-term exposure to the sun can damage the skin and increase the risk of developing milia.
Protect your skin from the sun by using sunscreen and wearing protective clothing, especially if you live in a hot and dry area.
Cleanse Skin Gently to Prevent Milia
Cleanse your face gently with a mild soap or a cleanser without harsh chemicals.
This can help prevent the formation of milia by removing excess oil, dirt, and dead skin cells that can clog the pores. Plus, use chemical peels to get rid of skin flakes within a few weeks.
Summary
Apple cider vinegar can be an effective home remedy for treating milia. Its antiseptic and antimicrobial properties can help unclog pores and eliminate dead skin cells that cause milia lesions.
If home remedies don’t work, speak to a dermatologist for treatment. They may recommend over-the-counter creams or prescription medication to get rid of the milia.
Most milia cases develop due to clogging and damage caused to the skin.
Practicing healthy skin habits and taking precautions that prevent skin damage, such as the use of sunscreen and proper cleansing, can help prevent milia from forming.