Bumps under eyes: What are they and How to Get Rid of Them?

Let’s get something straight. It is all right to panic and feels nervous when you notice bumps under eyes.

Well, they are usually the result of a common skin problem known as “milia”. Those are the little white or flesh-colored dots that can appear on your skin, most commonly under the eyes.

Medically speaking, the bumps are nothing more than blocked pores where keratin has become trapped under the skin and formed a small and hard cyst.

The good news is that milia are painless and easy to treat. They can pop anywhere on the body, but commonly they appear on the face, specifically under the eyes or on the cheeks.

The best thing about milia is that you can easily get rid of them using products you already have in your bathroom cabinet. The most important thing is to be patient and give the bumps time to go away.

However, if the remedies you are trying are not working, it is time to schedule an appointment with a dermatologist.

Milia or baby acne?

Milia is very common among babies. In fact, it is most common among babies. More than 40 percent of infants develop milia on their faces.

That is why some people incorrectly refer to milia as baby acne. While milia can be easily treated as an adult, you should not be trying any remedies on your baby. If the milia persist long enough, talk with your pediatrician.

Can you prevent milia?

There are easy ways you can avoid milia in your day to day life. First of all, the most important thing is to avoid using heavy eye creams and moisturizers if you are prone to milia.

If you notice these bumps appearing when you try a new product, that means your skin is more prone to milia. As mentioned, clogged pores cause milia, and that is all because of excess oil.

Avoid using oil-based makeup removers and always remove makeup before going to bed. Make sure to wash your face before going to bed.

Another thing to pay attention to is your pillowcase. Wash it often to prevent leftover hair product that can easily transfer to your face.

How long does it take to disappear?

The downside of milia is that it can take longer to disappear. Some people live with milia for months, even years. It is a bit unknown why exactly milia occur.

The consensus is that milia is caused by heavy use of oils and moisturizers, but also from damage from rashes, burns, and blisters, as well as allergic reactions. Even sun damage can cause milia.

Milia can take long to disappear on its own. The good news is that there are a couple of treatment options.

What is a good DIY solution for bumps under eyes?

Sugar scrub is one of the best, simplest, and easiest to make remedies for milia. It is also the most gentle way to exfoliate your skin. You can easily buy a sugar scrub at home, but we recommend using a DIY solution.

There are a number of recipes for sugar scrubs online, and they all usually start with some granulated sugar, olive oil, raw honey, and freshly squeezed lemon juice. These ingredients will work perfectly, and everything else is just finesse.

Can you treat at home?

As mentioned previously, the good news is you can easily treat milia at home. Sugar scrub is the simplest, yet effective treatment. But there are many other things you can try.

The easiest way to treat bumps under eyes is through regular exfoliation, which will help you get rid of dead skin cells and milia.

Before you try any treatment, steam your face to open up pores and prepare for the treatment.

With that in mind, here are some options that work.

Honey

Honey is the ingredient in the sugar scrub, but you can also use honey on its own. Thanks to its antimicrobial, humectant, and antioxidant properties, honey is great for treating skin problems.

1. Spread raw honey on your face, and leave it to stay there for 15 minutes. Rinse it off with lukewarm water. Repeat the treatment every day
2. Alternatively, you can mix 2 tablespoons of honey and 1 tablespoon of jojoba oil. Apply on your face as a mask, and wait 15 minutes. Rinse it off, and repeat three times per week until you see improvement

Sandalwood and rose water

This combination will help you get rid of excess oil and remove dead skin cells. Both sandalwood and rose water are great exfoliators.

1. Mix 2 tablespoons of sandalwood powder, and enough rose water to prepare a smooth paste
2. Spread the solution on your face, and let it stay there for 15 minutes
3. Wash with cool water. Pat your face dry, and repeat daily for a couple of weeks

Castor oil

Thanks to its natural healing and antibacterial properties, castor oil is quite effective in controlling oil production. That is the key to treating milia.

1. Apply one half of a teaspoon of castor oil on your face. Massage it nicely, and then leave it on until it is completely absorbed by the skin. Repeat on a daily basis for several months, or until you see improvement
2. Alternatively, apply a paste of one teaspoon of castor oil and enough baking soda to prepare paste on the affected area. Let it stay there for an hour or two, and then rinse it off. Repeat daily for 2 weeks

Pomegranate peel powder

Using roasted pomegranate peel powder is another home remedy you can try. Rich in vitamin C, the powder is a great exfoliator.

1. Roast pomegranate peels until they are dark brown and brittle. Then crush them into a powder
2. Mix 2 tablespoons of the powder and enough lemon juice or rose water to prepare a paste
3. Rub it on your face gently, and then leave it there for 20 minutes. Rinse it off

Cornstarch and Vinegar

Combining these two ingredients is another way to treat milia. Cornstarch will absorb the excess oil, while vinegar will work as an astringent.

1. Mix one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar and enough cornstarch to prepare a paste
2. Apply to the affected area. Let it stay there for 25 minutes
3. Remove with a washcloth soaked in warm water. Rinse afterwards
4. Repeat on a daily basis until you see positive results

Should you see a doctor?

In some cases of stubborn milia, the bumps don’t go away just with exfoliation. If your home remedies do not work, it is time to schedule a visit to the dermatologist.

The next solution is lancing, a process in which the dermatologist uses a small and sharp needle to prick the skin and remove the cyst. This is not something you should try at home, as messing up can cause scarring.