Milia Around the Eyes

What Causes Milia and How to Prevent Milia on Eyelids

By Dr. Tanya Gill, Optometrist and Founder of We Love Eyes

If you have noticed tiny white bumps around your eyes that refuse to go away, you are likely dealing with milia. As an optometrist, I see milia on the peri-ocular area often. Because eyelid skin is delicate and four times thinner than the rest of the face, treating milia requires a very specific and gentle approach.

Let us walk through what milia are, why they form, how to safely remove them, and most importantly, how to prevent milia from coming back.

 

 

What Is Milia

Milia are small white or skin colored cysts that form just beneath the surface of the skin. They are made of trapped keratin, which is a protein found in skin cells.

Unlike acne, milia are not inflamed and they are not caused by clogged pores filled with oil. Instead, they form when dead skin cells become trapped instead of naturally shedding.

Milia commonly appear around the eyes, especially on the upper and lower eyelids, because this area has extremely thin skin and a unique barrier structure.

 

How Does Milia Happen

Milia form when dead epithelial skin cells fail to self-exfoliate properly and become trapped under the surface. Around the eyes, this can happen due to:

• Heavy eye creams
• Occlusive makeup or waterproof mascara
• Harsh scrubs or acids that disrupt the eyelid skin barrier
• Inflammation from rubbing or irritation
• Improper eye makeup removal

When the delicate eyelid skin barrier becomes stressed, natural cell turnover slows or becomes irregular. This increases the likelihood that keratin becomes trapped, forming a small cyst. 

 

 

Why Are Some People Prone to Milia While Others Are Not

Some individuals are simply more prone to milia due to:

• Slower natural epithelial cell turnover
• Genetic skin tendencies
• Chronic eyelid inflammation
• Use of thick or occlusive eye products
• History of cosmetic procedures

People with dry eyes, blepharitis, or sensitive eyelid skin often overcompensate with heavy creams. Unfortunately, these can increase the likelihood of milia formation.

 

 

If You Are Milia Prone, Is Your Eyelid Skin Barrier Damaged?

Not always. Being milia prone does not automatically mean your eyelid skin barrier is damaged.

However, it does often indicate that the balance between self-exfoliation and barrier support is off. The eyelids have:

• Fewer oil glands
• Thinner skin
• A fragile microbiome
• Close proximity to meibomian glands

Using harsh facial scrubs and acids around the eyes can worsen milia. These aggressive treatments create inflammation, trigger compensatory oil secretion, and disrupt the natural eyelid skin biome. This imbalance can encourage continued milia formation.

The goal is not aggressive exfoliation. Over exfoliation can cause more milia! The goal is gentle, consistent support of healthy cell turnover while maintaining a calm and hydrated eyelid barrier. Some trial and error will be required to troubleshoot how your milia respond and how to slowly repair the eyelid skin barrier.

 

 

How To Remove Milia Safely

Deep milia must be removed by a dermatologist or medical professional.

The eyelid skin is four times thinner than the skin on your face. Attempting to extract milia at home can cause scarring, especially in this fragile area. Improper removal can also lead to infection or long term pigment changes.

Professional milia removal typically involves sterile extraction using precise instruments designed to minimize trauma.

Please remember:

My We Love Eyes Milia Defense Routine and the Milia Eyelid Scrub and Exfoliate Kit (discussed below) do not remove deep milia.

Some superficial milia may improve with consistent gentle exfoliation. However, deeper milia require professional care to prevent scarring.

 

 

After Professional Removal, How Do You Prevent Milia From Coming Back?

This is the most important question.

Once milia are professionally removed, prevention becomes everything. Prevention focuses on supporting natural cell turnover while protecting the eyelid skin barrier.

At We Love Eyes, I designed two solutions specifically for this purpose.

 

Milia Eyelid Scrub and Exfoliate Kit

If you are milia prone, catch this duo.

Pair SuperGLA Eyelid and Eyelash Foaming Cleanser with our medical grade silicone Mini Mitt for gentle, natural physical exfoliation.

Harsh scrubs and acids are not the answer for eyelids. Instead, consistent, controlled physical exfoliation helps lift away:

• Dead skin cells
• Debris
• Microbes
• Allergens
• Eye makeup residue

SuperGLA foaming cleanser is formulated with botanical fatty acids that cleanse while moisturizing dry eyes and sensitive eyelid skin.

When used together, the Mini Mitt and SuperGLA strike the balance between encouraging natural epithelial cell turnover and supporting the eyelid skin barrier with nourishing oils.

50 mL foamer
BPA free Mini Mitt 50 mm x 48 mm

Again, this kit is designed to prevent new milia from forming. It is not designed to remove deep milia.

 

 

Milia Defense Routine

Prevent milia with a daily routine.

If milia around the eyes keep returning, it is usually not about being too oily. It is about trapped dead skin cells and a compromised balance in the eyelid skin barrier.

The Milia Defense Routine is designed to prevent milia formation at the source.

Step 1
Gently physically exfoliate with the Mini Mitt and SuperGLA Eyelid and Eyelash Foaming Cleanser. This supports natural cell turnover without disrupting delicate eyelid skin.

Step 2
Apply AM Eyelid Gel.

AM Eyelid Gel contains Vit-A-Like™ powered by moth bean extract, a botanical alternative to traditional retinol. This ingredient encourages epithelial cell turnover while remaining safe for meibomian glands.

Unlike harsh retinol and retinal creams designed for facial skin, this eye safe formula supports renewal without triggering irritation that can worsen meibomian gland dysfunction.

When used consistently, this routine:

• Encourages healthy cell turnover
• Keeps dead skin cells from becoming trapped
• Supports a resilient eyelid skin barrier
• Reduces the conditions that allow milia to form

50 mL foam
7.5 mL eyelid gel
1 tool

The Milia Defense Routine does not remove deep milia. It is specifically formulated to prevent new milia, especially after professional removal by a dermatologist.

 

 

Milia is Frustrating

Milia around the eyes are common, frustrating, and often misunderstood. Many of my patients just scrub and scub and strip and strip - and it just leaves dry, flakey, red eyelid skin that still gets milia!!! The solution is not aggressive exfoliation. The solution is balance and understanding that TRIAL AND ERROR is required. 

Gentle physical exfoliation.
Eye safe cell turnover support.
Barrier focused eyelid care.

When you respect the unique anatomy of the eyelids, you reduce inflammation, support healthy renewal, and help prevent milia from forming again.

 

 

 

 

About Dr. Tanya Gill, OD: Dr. Tanya Gill is the passionate founder of We Love Eyes and a dedicated expert in eye care. With years of experience in helping patients achieve optimal eye health, Dr. Gill offers personalized advice and innovative solutions for your eye concerns. To learn more about maintaining healthy eyes or to address any issues, please visit weloveeyes.com. Also visit the collection MILIA to explore Milia Eye Care Routines & Duos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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