Milia are tiny, hard, pearly-white bumps, usually around the eyes, cheeks or nose. They look like whiteheads, but they are not pimples, and squeezing them does not work. Most are harmless and purely cosmetic. Here is what they are, how long they last and how to deal with them safely.
What milia are (and how they differ from whiteheads)
A milium is a tiny cyst filled with keratin, the protein that makes up the outer layer of your skin. Keratin gets trapped just under the surface and forms a firm, dome-shaped bump about 1–2 mm across.
- Whiteheads are clogged pores filled with oil and dead cells. They can be soft, can get red and inflamed, and often come and go within days or weeks.
- Milia have no opening to the surface, feel hard like a grain of sand, are not red or sore, and can stay the same for months.
What causes milia
- Newborns: very common and goes away on its own within a few weeks.
- In adults, often no clear cause. Skin simply does not shed the keratin properly.
- Rich, heavy creams around the eyes, which can block normal shedding in thin skin.
- Long-term sun damage, which thickens the outer layer of skin.
- Skin damage: burns, blistering, rashes, or procedures such as lasers and dermabrasion.
- Long-term use of strong steroid creams on the face.
How long milia last
Milia in babies usually clear within a few weeks. In adults, milia often last for months and can persist for years if left alone, although some do clear on their own as the skin renews.
If you seem to be getting more and more of them, or they appear in a cluster or patch, it is worth seeing a dermatologist. Spreading milia are usually still harmless, but a doctor can check for an underlying trigger and treat them in one visit.
How to get rid of milia
Do not squeeze or dig at milia. There is no opening, so pressure only bruises the skin, risks infection and can leave a scar — especially around the eyes.
- In-office removal: a dermatologist makes a tiny opening with a sterile blade or needle and lifts the keratin out. It takes minutes and usually leaves no mark.
- Other in-office options for many milia include cryotherapy (freezing) or laser.
- At home, a retinoid (adapalene or retinol) or a gentle exfoliating acid can help skin shed normally and may slowly clear some milia and prevent new ones. Avoid using retinoids right up against the eyelids.
- Switch heavy eye creams to lighter, non-comedogenic formulas if milia keep forming around your eyes.
- Wear sunscreen daily, since sun damage makes them more likely.
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Frequently asked questions
What is milia?
Milia are tiny, hard, white cysts filled with keratin that sit just under the skin, usually around the eyes, nose and cheeks. They are harmless and are not pimples.
How long does milia last?
In babies, a few weeks. In adults, milia often last for months and can persist for years unless they are removed or slowly clear with exfoliation or a retinoid.
Can I pop milia?
No. Milia have no opening, so squeezing does not release them and can bruise, infect or scar the skin. A dermatologist can remove them quickly with a sterile blade or needle.
Why is my milia spreading?
New milia often form when the same trigger continues, such as a heavy eye cream, sun damage or a steroid cream. If you keep getting more, or they appear in a patch, see a dermatologist.
Do eye creams cause milia?
Rich, heavy eye creams can contribute to milia in some people because they can block normal shedding in the thin skin around the eyes. Switching to a lighter formula often helps.