The Tiny White Dots That Won't Disappear from Your Face – What Is Milia and How Is It Treated?

Why do they appear mainly around the eyes, what causes them to form, and why shouldn't we try to extract them ourselves?

Sometimes we notice tiny white dots that appear under the eyes, on the cheeks, or in the forehead area.

At first they look like small pimples, and we wait for them to disappear. But weeks pass, sometimes even months, and they're still there.

We try to cleanse the area better, use a peel, or press on them gently, but nothing really changes.

These dots may be Milia, a common skin phenomenon that isn't always recognized.

What is milia, actually?

Milia is a tiny cyst that contains keratin, a protein found naturally in our skin, hair, and nails.

In a normal state, skin cells go through a continuous process of renewal and shedding.

But sometimes keratin gets trapped beneath the skin's surface, and a small, round, relatively hard cyst forms, which looks like a white or yellowish dot.

Unlike a regular pimple, milia is not formed because of a pore clogged with oil, and it is not a type of acne.

Therefore it's also not possible to simply press on it and expect it to empty like a pimple.

Why does milia appear specifically around the eyes?

Milia can appear in almost any area of the face, but it is especially common on the eyelids, under the eyes, and on the cheeks.

One of the reasons we notice it specifically there is that the skin in the eye area is relatively thin and delicate, and therefore the small bumps stand out more.

Milia can appear at any age, even in babies.

In adults it can develop for no clear reason, and sometimes following skin injury, burns, prolonged sun exposure, or skin healing processes.

Does a rich eye cream cause milia?

This is one of the most common questions.

Many women believe that creams that are too rich cause the white dots around the eyes.

But it's important to be precise.

There is no good proof that every rich eye cream causes milia. In certain cases heavy or occlusive products may be linked to its appearance, but it's not always possible to determine that they are the cause.

If you notice that the dots began to appear after you introduced a new product into your skincare routine, you can consider stopping its use for a period and seeing whether new dots appear.

It's also important to remember that not every white dot around the eyes is milia.

Why shouldn't we try to pop them?

Milia is located beneath the outer layer of the skin and does not have an opening like some acne pimples.

Therefore an attempt to press on it usually won't succeed in extracting its contents.

Instead, we may cause injury, inflammation, pigmentation, and even a scar.

In the eye area, where the skin is especially delicate, the risk of injury is even more significant.

Using needles at home is also not recommended.

Can a peel help?

A gentle peel may help renew the outer layer of the skin, but it's important to understand that it won't necessarily make existing milia cysts disappear.

There are cases in which a dermatologist may recommend a topical retinoid, especially when there is a tendency to multiple or recurring milia.

However, retinoids and acids can cause irritation, and they must not be applied close to the eyes without appropriate guidance.

Excessive use of a peel is also not a solution, and sometimes it only damages the skin's protective barrier.

So how can we get rid of milia?

Sometimes milia disappears on its own, mainly in babies, but in adults it can remain for months and even more.

When it bothers aesthetically, a dermatologist can remove it by gently opening the cyst and extracting its contents with sterile tools.

This is usually a short procedure, but it's important that it be performed by an appropriate professional, especially when the milia is located near the eyes.

There is no medical need to remove every milia. In most cases it is a benign phenomenon that is not dangerous.

Can its appearance be prevented?

Not always. Milia can appear even in people who are very careful with their skincare routine.

But there are several habits worth adopting to maintain skin health:

• Cleanse the face gently, without rubbing.
• Avoid aggressive peels and repeated irritation.
• Use skincare products suited to your skin type and sensitivity.
• Maintain a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 at least.
• Don't try to scratch, press, or open white dots at home.

These habits support skin health, but do not guarantee that milia won't appear.

When should we get checked?

If the dot grows, changes color, bleeds, hurts, or looks different from usual, it's advisable to see a dermatologist.

It's especially important to check new lesions in the eyelid area, because there are additional skin conditions that can look similar to milia.

My daily recommendation

I think one of the mistakes we make in skincare is trying to treat every change in the skin with another product.

We see a white dot and immediately think we need to cleanse more deeply, do a peel, or use a stronger active ingredient.

But sometimes the problem is not related at all to the skin's cleanliness, and not everything that looks like a pimple is really a pimple.

Milia is an excellent example of this.

It does not indicate dirty skin, is not necessarily caused by a rich cream, and in most cases is not dangerous either.

Before we try to make something disappear from our skin, we should first understand what it is.

Because in my eyes, proper skincare begins with knowledge, with listening to the skin, and with choosing when to treat and when simply to leave it alone.

Nurit Rozenblat

With love,
Nurit Rozenblat
OrOrgani

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