What should you know about Paula's Choice milia?

Milia are small, firm, pearly cysts formed when keratin becomes trapped beneath the skin surface. They commonly appear around the eyelids and cheeks and are different from ordinary whiteheads, which are clogged pores. A skincare product may reduce surrounding build-up, but it cannot reliably dissolve a deeper cyst. The skin around the eyes is delicate, so product placement matters.

Use a gentle cleanser and non-comedogenic moisturiser, and avoid picking, piercing, or pressing the bumps. If a clinician confirms milia, a carefully introduced topical retinoid may be considered for selected cases, but it should stay away from the eyelid margin unless specifically prescribed. Professional removal may involve opening the surface and extracting the cyst; curettage and cautery are clinical options, not home techniques. Wear sunscreen to reduce irritation and dark marks after inflammation.

Book an assessment if the bumps spread, become red or tender, recur in an unusual pattern, or affect vision or the eyelid edge. Seek advice when you are unsure whether the lesion is milia, a whitehead, or another skin bump. Do not attempt extraction near the eye, where injury and infection can follow.

Are these lesions milia or another type of white bump? Is a topical retinoid appropriate for their location? Would extraction or curettage and cautery be safer? How should I care for the area afterward?