How to Get Rid of Milia: What Works (and What to Avoid)

Milia are those tiny, firm white bumps that often appear around the eyes and cheeks — and they behave quite differently from spots or blackheads. Because they're not clogged pores, the usual squeeze-and-scrub approach does nothing (and can cause damage). Here's what milia actually are and how to deal with them safely.

What are milia?

Milia are small cysts filled with keratin — a protein found in skin — trapped just beneath the surface. They look like hard little white or yellowish beads, most commonly around the eyes, on the cheeks and across the nose. Unlike a whitehead, a milium has no opening to the surface, which is why you can't simply squeeze it out.

They're harmless and very common, in babies and adults alike. If you're not sure whether you're looking at milia, a whitehead or congestion, our guide on congested skin vs acne helps tell them apart.

What causes milia?

Milia form when keratin gets trapped rather than shedding normally. Common contributors include:

• Very rich or heavy creams and oils, particularly around the delicate eye area.
• Skin damage — sunburn, blistering or aggressive resurfacing.
• A slow-down in natural exfoliation, so dead cells and keratin build up.
• Sometimes no clear reason at all — some people are simply prone to them.

Why you shouldn't try to squeeze them

Because milia sit under intact skin with no pore opening, squeezing or picking won't release them — it just risks bruising, marks and scarring, especially in the thin skin around the eyes. Needling them yourself at home carries a real risk of infection and damage. This is the one type of bump where hands-off is genuinely the right call.

How to help them clear and prevent new ones

Milia often resolve on their own over weeks to months. You can gently encourage turnover and reduce new ones:

• Retinoids — support natural cell turnover so keratin sheds more readily. Introduce slowly.
• Gentle exfoliating acids — a mild AHA a couple of nights a week helps keep the surface clear.
• Lighter textures around the eyes — swap very heavy creams for a lighter eye product if you're prone.
• Daily SPF — protects skin from the damage that can trigger milia.

You can browse lighter, non-heavy options in our blemish-prone skin collection, and see the best ingredients for congested skin for more.

When to see a professional

If milia are stubborn, numerous or bothering you, a trained facialist, GP or dermatologist can remove them safely with a sterile lancet — quick, and far safer than doing it yourself. Persistent or widespread milia are also worth a professional look to rule out anything else.

Milia FAQs

How do you get rid of milia?

Encourage skin turnover with a retinoid and gentle exfoliation, use lighter textures around the eyes, and protect with SPF — many milia then clear on their own. For stubborn ones, have them removed by a professional with a sterile tool rather than picking at them yourself.

Can I squeeze milia out?

No. Milia have no pore opening, so squeezing won't release them and risks bruising, marks and scarring — especially around the eyes. Leave extraction to a trained professional.

What causes milia around the eyes?

Often very rich eye creams or oils, sun damage, or a natural slow-down in exfoliation that traps keratin under the surface. Switching to a lighter eye product can help if you're prone.

Do milia go away on their own?

Frequently, yes — many clear over weeks to months as skin turns over. Gentle turnover-supporting skincare can speed things along; professional removal is an option for persistent ones.

Are milia a type of acne?

No. Milia are keratin-filled cysts under the skin, not clogged pores, which is why acne treatments and squeezing don't work on them the way they might on a spot or blackhead.