How to Get Rid of Milia: Those Tiny “Fat Cysts”
Despite the common nickname, milia aren’t fat deposits. They’re tiny, firm cysts filled with keratin, often appearing as white or skin-colored bumps around the eyes, cheeks, nose, or forehead.
Safe ways to deal with them
Don’t squeeze or pick them. Milia don’t have the same opening as a typical pimple, so squeezing can cause inflammation, infection, or scarring.
Keep skincare gentle. Use a mild cleanser and non-comedogenic moisturizer.
Consider a retinoid. Topical retinoids may help prevent and clear some milia by increasing skin-cell turnover. Ask a dermatologist or pharmacist which option is appropriate, especially if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.
Have persistent milia professionally removed. A dermatologist can safely open and extract them using sterile equipment. This is particularly useful around the delicate eye area.
Avoid harsh scrubs and DIY extraction. Aggressive exfoliation generally won’t remove a cyst and can damage the surrounding skin.
👁️ Around the eyes?
Be particularly cautious. Don’t puncture or scrape eyelid milia yourself. The skin is extremely delicate, and an accidental injury can cause significant problems.
If a “milium” becomes painful, rapidly changes, bleeds, becomes inflamed, or doesn’t resemble a typical small white bump, have it examined—other skin conditions can look similar.
If you want, I can also give you a simple morning-and-night skincare routine for preventing milia.
