We’ve got the juicy milia seed secrets you need!

If milia seeds are the bane of your existence, this post is for you. 

If you’ve never been bugged by one, congratulations! BUT we’ll still recommend you to archive this post as you never know when they’ll come knocking on your (skin’s) door.

Milia seeds are those tiny,, pesky white bumps on our skin that are often mistaken as whiteheads, but oh wait… nothing comes out when you squeeze them. Warning: DO NOT squeeze them and risk infections.

Though they pose no dangers or threats, we know how irritating and unsightly they are. So today, we’re uncovering all the secrets behind these little troublemakers. Keep reading to find out where they come from and how to get rid of them!

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What exactly are milia seeds, you ask? 

They appear as small, white bumps on your skin, seemingly out of nowhere. These sneaky bumps form when keratin, which is basically dead skin cells, gets trapped beneath the surface of your skin. They’re also referred to as oil seeds.

Now, milia seeds do tend to have their favourite hangout spots— your forehead, nose, cheeks, and those delicate areas around your eyes. They can be quite a bother, especially when you can’t squeeze them away like whiteheads. 

But here’s the key difference: milia seeds are completely closed and don’t contain any pus. Yep, they’re like stubborn little closed doors, keeping all that trapped keratin to themselves! 

And that’s not all.

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Milia seeds come in two main types— primary and secondary. 

Primary milia is the most common form and typically pop up on the faces of infants and adults. These form directly from the entrapped keratin and like to make themselves comfortable on your skin. No thanks!

Secondary milia, on the other hand, are a bit different. 

They develop as a result of some kind of skin damage, like an injury, burn, rash or blisters. When your skin experiences such damage, the ducts leading to the skin’s surface get clogged, paving the way for those secondary milia seeds to set up a camp.

Shooo…Don’t you wish they could just go away?

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Now you know what milia seeds are, let’s move on to their causes. 

 1. Under-exfoliating 

When we don’t exfoliate enough, those dead skin cells start piling up, increasing the chances of milia seeds making their debut. So, remember to do your due diligence and exfoliate regularly! 

 2. Thick creams or oil-based skincare products

While these products are superb for dry skin, they can also be a recipe for milia seed disaster. So, be mindful of the products you slather on, and opt for lighter alternatives that won’t clog up your pores. 

 3. Long-term use of topical steroids

If you’ve been relying on these medications for a while, it might be worth having a chat with your dermatologist to explore other options.

 4. Skin damage

Allergic dermatitis, excessive sun exposure, or even an unfortunate accident can damage the skin, creating an opportunity for milia seeds to rear their tiny (but aggravating) heads. So, always take good care of your skin and fortify the skin barrier to protect against external aggressors.

Now that we know what causes milia seeds, let’s talk about prevention! 

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We can all agree that prevention is always better than trying to tackle those stubborn bumps once they’ve notoriously made themselves comfortable.

First things first, protect your skin from excessive sun exposure 

You’ve heard it umpteen times, but it’s worth repeating— sunscreen is your skin’s BFF! And when it comes to milia seed prevention, we highly recommend ést.lab’s non-comedogenic sunscreen— SunShield Aqua SPF 50***

This iconic sunscreen not only shields your skin from sunburn and photo-ageing but it also has brightening and anti-ageing benefits. Plus, it blends seamlessly with a tinge of skin-like tint without making you look like “casper” the friendly ghost.

And here’s the cherry on top— it even protects your delicate skin from the harmful blue-light emitted by our digital devices.

Avoid using thick creams or oil-based moisturisers, especially if you’re prone to milia seeds

Instead, use ést.lab’s water-based moisturisers that are specifically designed for your skin type.

For those with dehydrated or dry skin, ActivCalm Anti-Stress Hydra Cream is your ideal choice. 

This lightweight yet deeply hydrating moisturiser is like a refreshing gel enhanced with anti-pollution benefits, protecting your skin from urban pollution that can cause irritation, dryness, and premature ageing. Your skin will fall for it!

On the other hand, if you’ve oily or acne-prone skin, ést lab’s PurClear Multi-Biotic Balancing Cream is the one for you. 

This comforting water-based cream not only moisturises, it also strengthens your skin microbiome, fights acne breakouts, reduces inflammation, and restores radiance to troubled complexions. 

Now, let’s talk about exfoliation

Regularly sloughing away dead skin cells is key to preventing milia seeds from appearing. And to do that, ést.lab’s gentle chemical exfoliator, LumiWhite 10% PHA Resurfacing Glow Serum, executes the job perfectly.

Packed with a high concentration of 10% PHA, this serum is specially crafted for all skin types, even sensitive skin. It provides gentle resurfacing benefits, leaving your skin instantly smoother, clearer, and blemish-free. Say hello to a pore-blem-free skin!

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But wait, what do you do if those milia seeds have already taken up permanent residence on your face? No worries, we have a couple of quick-fixes for you.

Estetica’s milia seed removal 

This procedure is called deroofing and it starts with steaming to prep your skin for the gentle extraction of milia seeds with the use of a sterile needle.

The best part? It’s relatively painless and there’s no downtime to this treatment! It’s an instantaneous and effective way to bid farewell to those unwanted milia seeds.

Microdermabrasion 

If needles are not your cup of tea, opt for Estetica’s Diamond Sparkler Treatment to painlessly remove those pesky bumps. This treatment sloughs away dead skin cells, leaving you with a clearer and more luminous complexion. 

It swiftly rids your skin’s surface of dirt and impurities, leading to a clearer and more radiant complexion. Say hello to baby smooth skin!

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While milia seeds are quite a headache, with this newfound knowledge, you should be able to prevent and get rid of milia seeds effectively.

Go ahead and ditch those unwelcome visitors, and reclaim your gorgeous, glowing, ultra-smooth skin! You’ve got this!

In good hands,
Estetica