What Are Milia Bumps? Causes and Treatment Guide 2026
Fact check by: Aarish Maqsood
Author: Muneeb Maqsood
Key Takeaways
- Milia bumps are small cysts that are underneath the skin and filled with keratin. They are typically white or yellowish in color and are typically found around the eyes, cheeks, nose, and forehead.
- Milia are not acne or whiteheads. They are not caused by oil, bacteria, or blocked pores like acne. That is why they can't be popped like pimples.
- The primary cause is dead skin or keratin build-up. If the old skin cells don't flake off well, they may get trapped under the skin and create little firm bumps.
- Milia may be caused by heavy skin care products and/or skin damage. Milia spots may be more likely to occur when exposed to thick creams, oily products, burns, rashes, sun damage, or some skin treatments.
- Most of these milia are harmless, but care should be taken when treating them. Some milia go away on their own, and some milia may require removal by a dermatologist. Never squeeze them as this may lead to scarring or infection.
What Are Milia Bumps?
Milia bumps are little white or yellowish cysts that develop just beneath the skin. They occur when there is a build-up of the protein keratin naturally found in the skin under the skin surface.
These are most often found on the face, particularly around the eyes, cheeks, nose, and forehead. These milia may also develop on the chest, arms, or elsewhere on the body.
Milia are not acne, pimples, or whiteheads. These typically do not produce pain, itching, redness, or swelling.
What Do Milia Look Like?
Milia usually look like:
- Small white or yellow raised areas
- Hard areas just under the skin
- Smooth, round spots
- A small group of spots on the face.
- Non-acne-like bumps.
They are usually the same size for several weeks or months. For babies, milia will usually resolve within a few weeks.
What Causes Milia Bumps?
Milia result from the build-up of dead skin cells or keratin under the skin that fail to exfoliate normally.
Common causes include:
Trapped Dead Skin Cells
This is most commonly due to poor shedding of the skin. Tiny cysts can develop if dead skin cells aren't shed properly.
Very thick skin care products.
Some individuals may have milia caused by a build-up of thick creams, heavy oils, and greasy ointments, particularly around the eyes and cheeks.
Skin Damage
Milia can be a result of an irritation or injury to the skin, including:
- Burns
- Blisters
- Rashes
- Sun damage
- Laser treatments
- Dermabrasion
They are known as secondary milia.
Newborn Skin Changes
Milia are extremely prevalent in newborns. Baby milia typically occur on the nose, cheeks or chin and tend to resolve without intervention.
Use of some topical products over an extended period of time.
Milia can, in rare cases, be associated with the use of certain topical drugs for extended periods of time, such as with the use of strong steroid creams.
Are Milia the Same as Whiteheads?
Whiteheads and milia may appear alike, but they are not.
Whiteheads are a form of acne that results from a combination of clogged pores, oil, and bacteria. Milia are small cysts that contain trapped keratin.
This is the reason why it isn't actually viable to squeeze milia. The difference between milia and acne is that milia is found deeper in the skin and does not have an open pore.
Are Milia Dangerous?
Milia typically are not a problem. These are not contagious, and they don't necessarily indicate a serious skin condition.
But if you experience any of the following, you should consider consulting a dermatologist:
- Bumps are painful
- They get swollen and red
- They spread quickly
- They only show up after a rash, burn, or injury.
- Not sure if they are milia
- They do not improve after several months
How Can You Treat Milia?
Sometimes, no treatment is necessary for milia. Many cases resolve spontaneously, particularly in infants. They can persist longer in adults and sometimes require professional removal.
NEVER SQUEEZE MILIA!
Never attempt to pop, cut, or scrape milia at home. This may lead to irritation, infection, dark marks, or scarring.
Gently clean and treat your skin with a gentle routine.
A basic regimen can help avoid the development of new milia:
- Gently wash off your face.
- Don't use very thick creams on the milia-prone areas.
- Remove makeup properly
- Use non-comedogenic products
- Wear sunscreen daily
Try Gentle Exfoliation
Exfoliation may be beneficial for adults to promote normal skin shedding.
Common options include:
- Salicylic acid
- Glycolic acid
- Lactic acid
- Retinoids
Avoid exfoliating too much, particularly around the eyes.
Consider Retinoids
In the case of milia that are recurrent or widespread, topical retinoids could be helpful for this issue because they enhance skin cell turnover. They ought to be applied gradually and sparingly, particularly if you have sensitive skin.
Get Professional Removal
A dermatologist can safely remove milia, using techniques like:
- Sterile extraction
- De-roofing
- Cryotherapy
- Chemical peels
- Laser treatment
Milia near the eyes are typically best removed professionally.
Can You Prevent Milia?
While it's impossible to avoid all milia, it is possible to decrease the likelihood by keeping your skin care routine as simple as possible and avoiding a lot of unnecessary heavy products.
To help prevent milia:
- Do not sleep with makeup on
- Use lightweight moisturizers
- Guard your skin from the sun's rays
- Don't scratch or pick at your skin
- Avoid using extremely thick eye creams too much
- Gently exfoliate if it is tolerated by your skin
Final Thoughts
Milia bumps are benign, tiny, and harmless keratin cysts commonly found on the face. They aren't acne, and you should not squeeze them yourself.
In many cases, milia go away naturally. A dermatologist can remove them safely if they are persistent, spreading, or are a nuisance to you cosmetically.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Milia Bumps
Do milia go away on their own?
Yes, milia can go away on their own. Baby milia tend to resolve in a few weeks, while adult milia may resolve in a few months.
Can I pop milia at home?
Don't attempt to pop milia at home, as this can harm your skin and lead to scarring or infection.
Are milia caused by poor hygiene?
Not always. Even with proper hygiene, milia may occur as a result of the build-up of keratin beneath the skin.
What is the best treatment for milia?
Treatment depends on the type and location and is best. Milia can either get better on their own or a dermatologist may need to remove stubborn milia.
Can skincare products cause milia?
Some people may develop milia due to heavy creams, oils or thick ointments, particularly around the eyes and on the face.
Can Vaseline cause milia?
Vaseline is NOT a pore clogger, but it is very occlusive. Some individuals may experience heavy use around the eyes that can cause dead skin to accumulate and lead to milia. Use to avoid the eye area if prone to milia.
Does slugging cause milia?
In some, slugging can cause milia, especially if petroleum jelly or balm is applied in excess and for prolonged periods over the same skin that tends to develop milia. If new milia occur after slugging, discontinue the use of occlusive products on that area.
Can eye cream cause milia?
Yes, thicker eye creams can help to cause milia, particularly under the eyes. If you continue to experience milia, try to use an eye product with a lighter consistency and not comedogenic, or just apply a small amount of your regular moisturizer to the eyes.
Should I stop using moisturizer if I have milia?
No, it is not necessary to stop moisturizing altogether. Rather, steer clear of heavy creams and select a light moisturizer that will hydrate without being greasy.
Can retinol help with milia?
Retinol can help by increasing the turnover of skin cells which can help in the long run in reducing trapped dead skin. But, be careful around eyes as retinol can irritate the thin skin there.
Can glycolic acid remove milia?
Mild milia can be prevented or improved with gentle exfoliation of dead skin cells in glycolic acid. It takes a while to operate and should not be given too near the eyes unless it is a product intended for the eyes.
Why do I get milia under my eyes?
The under-eye area has thin, delicate skin. This area may be more prone to the development of milia due to the accumulation of heavy creams, thick oils, makeup buildup and slow turnover of skin.
Can makeup cause milia?
Although makeup is not always to blame, excessive concealing makeup, oily makeup or not removing it properly can raise the risk of blocked skin accumulation.
Are oils bad for milia-prone skin?
For some oils, they may be too thick and heavy to be suitable for skin around the eyes that is prone to milia. If you find that the bumps persist after you've used facial oils, then you should cease applying them to this region and opt for more mild moisturizing.
What skincare should I avoid if I get milia?
Try to refrain from using very thick creams, heavy oils, greasy balms and using too many occlusive products on milia prone areas. The routine should be simple, light, and easy.
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Muneeb Maqsood is an SEO Expert, AEO & GEO Specialist with over 5 years of experience focused on delivering measurable business growth. He helps brands improve search visibility, attract qualified leads, and most importantly, convert organic traffic into paying customers through strategic, intent-driven optimization.
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