Have you ever looked in the mirror and noticed tiny white bumps clustered around your eyes, cheeks, or forehead?
They might look like little whiteheads, but they don’t pop like acne. They sit just under the surface—smooth, firm, and stubbornly unmoved no matter what cream or cleanser you use.
These small cysts are called milia (pronounced mill-ee-uh), and while they’re common—and harmless—they can be frustrating to live with, especially as we age and our skin becomes more sensitive.
The good news? You don’t always need a dermatologist to treat milia. With the right care and natural methods, it’s often possible to reduce their appearance safely from home.
Let’s take a closer look at what causes these bumps, why they tend to appear more often with age, and what you can do to manage them gently and effectively.
What Exactly Is Milia?
Milia are small, white bumps that form when keratin—a protein found in skin, hair, and nails—gets trapped beneath the surface of the skin.
Instead of shedding dead skin cells naturally, your skin traps them in tiny pockets. Over time, these harden into firm little cysts just beneath the surface.
These bumps aren’t painful or dangerous, and they’re not acne. But they can make the skin appear rough or uneven, and for many people, they’re a cosmetic concern—especially when they show up on the face.
Common Causes of Milia
