According to dermatologists, milia is just dead skin cells trapped under skin — something more common with aging, as skin cell turnover slows with age. (Psst: this is also why exfoliation is *so* important for mature skin!)
“As we age, our natural cell turnover slows, so dead skin cells are more likely to accumulate and get trapped,” a board-certified dermatologist previously told HuffPost. “At the same time, many patients start using thicker creams for dryness, which can further occlude the skin and contribute to milia formation.” According to Cleveland Clinic, as milia isn’t harmful, you certainly don’t need to treat it. Yet, if you don’t like how the bumps look, adapalene gel can be a great OTC way to start treating them before or instead of prescription options/ professional treatments. This fragrance-free, clear gel comes in an easy-to-apply tube. The brand says you want to a pea-sized amount, spread evenly over cleansed skin once a day.
In previous HuffPost reporting on adapalene, a cosmetic surgeon called it the “gentlest in the retinoid family,” which was prescription-only until 2018, saying it works to increase the skin’s cellular turnover rate, helping remove dead cells and minimize oil glands. “Adapalene gel is a miracle worker for skin. I have used it for years,” a 74-year-old reviewer wrote. “I love that this gel is not prescription any more.”
