Milia on the face: what to know

Facial milia often look like smooth white or skin-coloured beads beneath the surface, commonly around the cheeks, nose, or eyes. They are made of keratin enclosed in a tiny cyst and are different from acne that begins in a blocked pore. Similar-looking skin bumps can have other causes, so a changing, inflamed, or unusual lesion should be examined rather than labelled from a photograph.

Wash with a mild cleanser, moisturise with a product that suits your skin, and use sun protection to reduce irritation during any skin treatment. Avoid picking, squeezing, abrasive scrubs, and home extraction tools; these can break the skin and leave marks. If the bumps are persistent or bothersome, a dermatologist can confirm the diagnosis and discuss controlled extraction, curettage and cautery, or another suitable plan. Products containing topical retinoids may help selected conditions but need professional guidance.

Arrange a dermatology assessment if a bump grows, bleeds, becomes painful, develops a persistent crust, or does not resemble your other milia. Seek urgent attention for rapidly spreading facial swelling, fever with redness, or eye symptoms. A review is also sensible when several new bumps appear after a skin injury or treatment.

Ask how the diagnosis was made, whether a product or procedure fits your skin, and how to protect the area while it heals. If removal is planned, ask what aftercare reduces irritation and what changes should prompt a follow-up.