Today’s post, it’s going to be about the best retinol creams for milia and if any of them would be suitable for you.

Important Note: If you currently have milia, then retinol creams can take time to remove them and you will have to be patient. A better option would be to go to a dermatologist and extract them.

After extracting the milia, you can then use the Retinol creams to prevent milia and keep them from coming back. If you need stronger retinoids, then tretinoin and adapalene can help.

Another thing we’d like to add is these creams shouldn’t be used near the eyes or eyelids. They are meant to be used for milia on the cheeks, chin, and nose.

For treating milia on the eyes, you will have to use eye creams that contain retinol.

This is a retinol cream with hyaluronic acid that can be used on the face and also on areas where there are milia.

Pros:

• There are reviews saying that they see results in just one week.

• This cream/moisturizer helps to fight fine lines, dullness, wrinkles, and dark spots.

• It does not dry out the skin.

Cons:

• None.

What ingredients does it contain?

Water, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Glycerin, Dimethicone, PPG-15 Stearyl Ether, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Behenate, Ceteareth-20, Isohexadecane, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cellulose, Sodium Polyacrylate, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Crosspolymer, Polyacrylamide, Fragrance, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Chlorphenesin, Polysorbate 20, Hydrolyzed Myrtus Communis Leaf Extract, Retinol, BHT, Sodium Hyaluronate, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Laureth-7, Ascorbic Acid.

This is a cream that contains both retinol (at 1.5%) and Matrixyl 3000 (a peptide). It releases retinol slowly into the skin, therefore, minimizing irritation and making it suitable for beginners.

Pros:

• It releases retinol slowly into the skin.

• It contains pure retinol (.3%), retinol optimizer (at 1% for slow release of retinol), and retinol soother (at 2% that helps to calm skin and minimize irritation).

• In 2 weeks, the skin looks tighter, brighter, and clearer.

• In 12 weeks, skin looks firmer and more even, and wrinkles and pigmentation appear reduced.

Cons:

• None.

What ingredients does it contain?

Aqua (Water/Eau), Glycerin, Butylene glycol, Dimethicone, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 20, Xanthan gum, Acrylates/C10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Dimethiconol, Retinol, Bisabolol, Inulin lauryl carbamate, Caprylyl glycol, Sorbitan laurate, Potassium hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Carbomer, Tetrasodium EDTA, Behentrimonium chloride, Sucrose laurate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Acetyl dipeptide-1 cetyl ester, Benzoic acid, Palmitoyl tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7.

This is another retinol that can be used for milia and is safe to use for beginners because of its encapsulation technology.

Pros:

• It reduces the appearance of post-acne marks, minimizing the look of pores and improving your skin’s surface.

• It contains encapsulated retinol along with licorice root extract and niacinamide.

• It’s formulated with 3 essential ceramides that lock in skin moisture and help restore your skin’s protective barrier.

• It is lightweight and fast-absorbing.

• It is non-comedogenic, paraben-free, and fragrance-free.

• It evens out skin tone.

Cons:

• None.

What ingredients does it contain?

AQUA/WATER/EAU, PROPANEDIOL, DIMETHICONE, CETEARYL ETHYLHEXANOATE, NIACINAMIDE, AMMONIUM POLYACRYLOYLDIMETHYL TAURATE, DIPOTASSIUM GLYCYRRHIZATE, HYDROGENATED LECITHIN, POTASSIUM PHOSPHATE, CERAMIDE NP, CERAMIDE AP, CERAMIDE EOP, CARBOMER, CETEARYL ALCOHOL, BEHENTRIMONIUM METHOSULFATE, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, CITRIC ACID, TRISODIUM ETHYLENEDIAMINE DISUCCINATE, PENTYLENE GLYCOL, DIMETHICONOL, LECITHIN, SODIUM CITRATE, RETINOL, SODIUM HYALURONATE, SODIUM LAUROYL LACTYLATE, CHOLESTEROL, PHENOXYETHANOL, ALCOHOL, ISOPROPYL MYRISTATE, PHYTOSPHINGOSINE, XANTHAN GUM, POLYSORBATE 20, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN.

This is a retinal cream that should effective for treating milia and also reducing signs of aging.

Pros:

• It smoothes and reduces the appearance of deep wrinkles and furrows.

• It evens skin tone while brightening and plumping the skin.

• It has antioxidant properties and helps neutralize free radicals.

Cons:

• It is very expensive and we wouldn’t recommend spending that much money on retinol.

What ingredients does it contain?

AVÈNE THERMAL SPRING WATER, TRIETHYLHEXANOIN, CYCLOPENTASILOXANE, CETEARYL ALCOHOL, CYCLOHEXASILOXANE, CETEARETH-20, POLYMETHYL METHACRYLATE, CETEARETH-33, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, AMMONIUM ACRYLOL DIMETHYLTAURATE/VP COPOLYMER, EVENING PRIMROSE OIL, PHENOXYETHANOL, BENZOIC ACID, DISODIUM EDTA, RETINAL, TOCOPHERYL GLUCOSIDE, OLEOYL DIPEPTIDE-15, MICA, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, SILICA, BHT, OLEOYL TETRAPEPTIDE-31, TOCOPHEROL, TITANIUM DIOXIDE, CARAMEL, RED 33.

Now, this is a retinoid that many have had success with and might help to remove those stubborn milia. It is also available in a 5% formula.

Pros:

• It helps with uneven skin tone, textural irregularities, and signs of aging.

Cons:

• None.

What ingredients does it contain?

Aqua (Water), Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethyl Linoleate, Propanediol, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Bisabolol, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Retinol, Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Glyceryl Stearate, Ceteareth-12, Ceteareth-20, Cetearyl Alcohol, Carrageenan, Xanthan Gum, Acacia Senegal Gum, Cetyl Palmitate, Sucrose Laurate, Polysorbate 20, Isoceteth-20, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone, Behentrimonium Chloride, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Disodium Edta, Dehydroacetic Acid, Benzoic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin.

• Naturium – Retinol Complex Cream

• Geek & Gorgeous – A-Game 5 (contains retinal)

• The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion (available in 5% also)

• Naturium – Retinaldehyde Cream Serum 0.05%

• The Ordinary Retinol 1% In Squalane

We recommend going with the Neutrogena retinol cream and the ordinary granactive retinoid as it is cheaper and should be more than enough to prevent milia from coming back.