×
Tiny white bumps around your eyes or cheeks that don't behave like pimples? They might be milia. Milia are small, harmless cysts filled with keratin that form just beneath the skin's surface.
They aren't acne, and squeezing them usually won't help. Learn what milia are, why they form, how to tell them apart from whiteheads, and how to care for them.
Milia are tiny, harmless cysts that form just beneath the surface of the skin. Understanding what they contain and how they differ from acne can help you care for them appropriately.
Milia are tiny, harmless cysts that form just beneath the surface of the skin. They contain keratin, a protein naturally found in the skin, hair, and nails.
They usually appear as small, firm, white or yellowish bumps and are especially common around the eyes and cheeks.
Unlike whiteheads, milia are not caused by clogged pores or acne.
Milia can affect people of any age, including newborns, children, teenagers, and adults.
Milia develop when keratin becomes trapped beneath the surface of the skin instead of naturally shedding.
Dead skin cells and keratin collect beneath the skin's surface.
The keratin becomes trapped instead of naturally shedding from the skin.
A small cyst forms around the trapped keratin beneath the surface of the skin.
The cyst becomes visible as a small, firm, white or yellowish bump.
Milia form beneath the skin's surface, which is why squeezing them like a pimple usually doesn't work.
Milia have a distinctive appearance, although they can sometimes look similar to other tiny white bumps.
Milia may look similar to whiteheads, but their cause is different. Milia are keratin-filled cysts rather than clogged pores.
Milia can develop for different reasons. The two main categories are primary milia and secondary milia.
Primary milia develop directly from trapped keratin and can occur without an obvious skin injury or condition.
They are especially common around the eyes, cheeks, nose, and forehead.
Secondary milia develop after the skin has been damaged or irritated.
Secondary milia are associated with previous skin damage or irritation, while primary milia can develop without an obvious preceding injury.
Milia can develop for different reasons. While trapped keratin is the main mechanism, skin damage, products, skin conditions, and genetics can also play a role.
The main mechanism behind milia is keratin becoming trapped beneath the skin's surface instead of naturally shedding.
Damage to the skin can sometimes lead to secondary milia.
03
Very rich products may contribute to milia in some people, particularly around the delicate eye area.
04
Certain skin conditions can increase the likelihood of developing secondary milia.
05
Some people are simply more prone to developing milia.
Milia don't have one single cause. The reason they develop can depend on whether they are primary or secondary milia and on the individual's skin.
Milia are most commonly found on the face, especially around areas where the skin is delicate and thin.
Milia can develop on different areas of the face.
One of the most common locations for tiny milia.
Small firm bumps may appear on or around the eyelids.
Milia can appear as small white or yellowish bumps.
Small groups of milia may occasionally develop here.
The forehead is another possible facial location.
Milia can also occasionally appear on other parts of the body, although the face is the most common location.
These two concerns can look very similar because they can both appear as tiny white bumps. But they form differently and are not the same skin concern.
If a tiny white bump is very firm and doesn't behave like a pimple, it may be milia rather than a closed comedone.
Milia may look like tiny whiteheads, but they are small cysts beneath the skin. Because of this, trying to squeeze them like a pimple usually won't work.
Squeezing milia usually won't remove the cyst and can unnecessarily irritate the surrounding skin.
Irritate the skin
Cause inflammation
Damage the surrounding skin
Increase the risk of scarring or infection
If a milia needs to be removed, a dermatologist or other qualified professional can safely remove it using an appropriate technique.
Some milia disappear naturally over time, while others can remain for months or longer.
Some milia can disappear naturally over time as the skin sheds and the trapped keratin is eventually released.
However, some milia can remain for months or longer. Their persistence does not necessarily mean that something is wrong with your skin.
The skin may gradually shed the trapped keratin, allowing some milia to disappear over time.
Some milia remain for months or longer and can be professionally removed if desired.
Persistent milia can be professionally removed if desired. You don't need to squeeze or aggressively exfoliate them to make them disappear.
A gentle, consistent routine can support healthy skin and may help reduce the buildup that contributes to some milia.
Can encourage skin cell turnover and may help prevent the buildup of dead skin cells.
Appropriate exfoliation may help reduce the buildup of dead skin cells.
Using products that suit your skin and avoiding unnecessarily heavy layers around the eyes may help reduce the chance of congestion.
Protects the skin from UV damage and supports overall skin health.
Skincare may help prevent or reduce some milia, but established milia often don't disappear quickly with skincare alone.
A gentle, consistent routine can help reduce unnecessary irritation and buildup while supporting healthy skin.
Avoid trying to extract milia yourself, as squeezing can irritate or damage the surrounding skin.
Choose a simple routine and avoid unnecessarily irritating the skin.
The delicate eye area may benefit from avoiding unnecessarily rich or heavy layers.
Gently removing makeup before sleeping helps keep your skincare routine clean and consistent.
Appropriate exfoliation may help with dead skin cell buildup, but aggressive exfoliation can irritate the skin.
Daily sunscreen helps protect the skin from UV damage and supports overall skin health.
Adding new products gradually can make it easier to notice how your skin responds.
Prevention is about supporting healthy skin, not aggressively trying to remove every tiny bump.
Milia are often mistaken for whiteheads or blamed on skincare habits. Let's separate common myths from facts.
Milia are tiny keratin-filled cysts, while whiteheads are clogged hair follicles.
Milia are not caused by poor hygiene.
Milia are firm cysts beneath the skin and squeezing them can damage the surrounding skin.
Milia have several possible causes, and skincare products aren't the only factor involved.
Small white bumps can have many causes, including closed comedones and other skin conditions.
Not every tiny white bump is milia. If you're unsure what a persistent bump is, a dermatologist can help identify it.
If you notice a tiny, firm, pearly-white bump that refuses to behave like a pimple, don't keep squeezing it. It could be milia rather than acne. Keep your routine gentle and avoid aggressive extraction. If the bump persists and you'd like it removed, a dermatologist can confirm what it is and remove it safely.
— Mimii ♡