Milia under the eyes are tiny, hard, white or yellowish bumps caused by keratin (a protein in the outer skin) getting trapped just beneath the surface. They form when dead skin cells are not shed normally. Common triggers include skin damage from sun or friction, heavy creams, some skin treatments and long-term steroid creams. They are harmless and not contagious.
Key takeaways:
- Milia are small cysts filled with keratin, usually 1 to 2 mm across, and they are not a type of acne.
- The eyelids and under-eye area are a common spot because the skin there is very thin.
- Causes include skin trauma, sun damage, rich or occlusive products and some cosmetic procedures, but many cases have no clear trigger.
- Squeezing milia rarely works and can scar or infect the delicate eye area.
- A doctor can remove persistent milia safely and check that the bumps are not something else, such as xanthelasma or syringoma.
What exactly is milia?
Milia are tiny cysts that sit in the top layer of skin and contain keratin. Each one looks like a firm white or pearly dot, a bit like a grain of sand under the skin.
Unlike a whitehead, a milium (the singular form) has no opening to the surface and no oil or pus inside. That is why pressing on it usually does nothing. The keratin is packed tightly into a small pocket and the skin has grown over the top.
Milia are very common. Up to half of newborn babies have them on the nose and cheeks, and these usually clear on their own within weeks. In adults they tend to appear around the eyes, eyelids, cheeks and forehead, and they can last for months or longer.
What causes milia under the eyes?
Milia form when the skin’s normal shedding process is disrupted and keratin becomes trapped. Doctors usually group them into two types: primary milia, which appear without an obvious cause, and secondary milia, which follow some form of damage or blockage.
Type | What it means | Common triggers |
|---|---|---|
Primary milia | Form directly from trapped keratin, with no clear trigger | Genetics, skin type, natural skin turnover |
Secondary milia | Form after the skin or its small ducts are damaged or blocked | Sun damage, burns, blistering, friction, resurfacing procedures, long-term steroid creams, very rich products |
Why the eye area is prone to them
The skin under your eyes is among the thinnest on your body. It has fewer oil glands and is easily irritated, so small disruptions in how it sheds and repairs can show up quickly. Zoe Medical explains more about why this area is so delicate in its guide on how sleep, diet and screen time affect the under-eye area.
Heavy eye creams and make-up
Thick, occlusive products (ones that form a heavy film on the skin) may contribute to milia in some people, especially when layered on thin eyelid skin every night. The link is not proven for every product, but switching to a lighter, non-comedogenic formula is a reasonable first step if new bumps keep appearing.
Sun exposure
Years of unprotected sun exposure can thicken and toughen the outer skin, making it harder for dead cells to shed. In Singapore, where UV levels are high all year, daily sunscreen and sunglasses help protect the eye area.
Skin injury and procedures
Milia can appear as the skin heals after a burn, rash, blister or scrape. They are also a known, usually temporary, side effect after some resurfacing treatments such as lasers or peels. If you notice new milia after a procedure, mention it to the doctor who treated you.
How can you tell milia from other bumps around the eyes?
Milia are small, white, firm and dome-shaped, and they do not hurt. Several other harmless bumps can look similar, so it helps to know the differences.
Bump | Colour and feel | Typical location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Milia | White or pearly, firm, 1 to 2 mm | Under the eyes, eyelids, cheeks | Trapped keratin, no opening |
Xanthelasma | Yellowish, flat or slightly raised patches | Inner corners of the eyelids | Cholesterol deposits; may be linked to blood lipid levels |
Syringoma | Skin-coloured or yellowish, small and clustered | Lower eyelids | Benign growths of sweat ducts |
Closed comedones | Skin-coloured bumps | Forehead, cheeks, chin | A form of acne, contain oil |
Stye | Red, tender, swollen | Eyelid margin | An infection that needs medical attention if it does not settle |
If your bumps are yellow and flat, read Zoe Medical’s article on xanthelasma around the eyelids, which also explains how these cholesterol deposits differ from milia. A doctor can confirm what you have with a quick look.
Should you pop or squeeze milia?
No. Milia have no opening, so squeezing them usually pushes the keratin deeper, bruises the skin and can leave a mark or an infection. The eye area heals slowly and is close to the eye itself, so home extraction with pins or needles is not safe.
Scrubbing hard or using strong exfoliating acids near the eyes can also cause irritation, redness and more trapped keratin.
Do milia go away on their own?
Sometimes. Milia in babies usually clear within a few weeks. In adults, some fade over several months as the skin naturally renews, but others stay for a long time.
If the bumps bother you, a doctor can talk you through options. These may include gentle removal with a sterile instrument (a small opening is made and the keratin lifted out), topical retinoids prescribed for suitable skin, or other in-clinic methods chosen for your skin and the location of the bumps. The right approach depends on how many milia you have, where they are and your skin type.
How can you lower your chances of getting milia?
You cannot prevent every milium, especially primary ones, but some habits help.
- Keep the eye area gentle. Use a mild cleanser and pat, rather than rub, the skin dry.
- Choose lighter products. If you get repeated milia, try a lighter eye cream and non-comedogenic make-up.
- Remove make-up every night. Use a gentle remover suited to the eye area.
- Protect against the sun. Wear sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat outdoors.
- Avoid long-term steroid creams on the face unless a doctor has advised them.
- Follow aftercare advice carefully after any skin procedure.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if the bumps are spreading, growing quickly, changing colour, painful, bleeding or crusting. Seek medical advice promptly if there is swelling, redness or discharge near the eye, or any change in your vision.
It is also worth getting checked if you are unsure whether the bumps are milia, if they have appeared suddenly in a large patch, or if they appeared after a rash or blistering. A doctor can confirm the diagnosis and look for any underlying skin condition. You can learn about the doctors at Zoe Medical on the about us page, or contact the clinic to arrange a consultation for an assessment of your eye area.
If you have other concerns around the eyes, such as fine lines or tear trough , Zoe Medical’s overview of non-surgical options for common eye-area concerns explains what a consultation may cover.
Frequently asked questions
No, milia are made of keratin, not cholesterol. Yellowish patches on the eyelids called xanthelasma can sometimes be linked to blood lipid levels, which is why a doctor may suggest a blood test for those, but not for milia.
Rich or heavy eye creams may contribute to milia in some people, particularly if used generously every night. If you notice new bumps after starting a product, try switching to a lighter formula and see whether new milia stop appearing.
No. Milia are not caused by bacteria or viruses and cannot spread from person to person or from one part of your face to another.
Yes, milia can appear at any age. They are especially common in newborns, where they usually clear on their own, but older children and teenagers can get them too.
A milium that has been properly removed usually does not return in the same spot, but new ones can form elsewhere. Reviewing your skincare and sun protection habits can help reduce new ones.
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Please consult a qualified doctor for advice about your own skin.
