7 Ways to Get Rid of Milia and When to See a Professional

If you’ve ever noticed tiny, hard, white bumps that refuse to pop no matter how much you glare at them in the mirror… congratulations, you’ve probably met milia. They look like stubborn whiteheads, but they’re actually tiny keratin-filled cysts that sit just under the skin’s surface. They’re harmless, but they can be seriously annoying when they show up front and center on your nose, cheeks, or under your eyes.

The good news? You usually don’t have to do anything at all. Milia often go away on their own. The even better news? If they’re hanging around longer than your patience, there are safe ways to help them along as long as you resist the urge to attack them with your nails or a random sewing needle (please don’t).

Let’s break down what milia really are, the safest ways to deal with them at home, when to call in a professional, and what real people have learned from their “little white bump” journeys.

What Exactly Are Milia?

Milia (singular: milium) are tiny, dome-shaped, white or yellowish bumps that form when dead skin cells and keratin get trapped under the outer layer of skin instead of shedding normally. They’re firm to the touch, don’t usually hurt or itch, and they don’t have an obvious opening like a pimple.

Common places they show up include:

• Cheeks and nose
• Under and around the eyes
• Forehead and temples
• Sometimes on the chest or upper body

Milia are especially common in newborns up to half of babies develop them, and they usually clear in a few weeks without any treatment. Adults can also get milia, often from sun damage, heavy or occlusive skin-care products, or after skin injury like a burn or rash.

Most importantly: milia are benign. They’re a cosmetic issue, not a sign of poor hygiene or a dangerous disease. Still, if you don’t like how they look, there are safe ways to address them.

7 Ways to Get Rid of Milia (Safely)

1. Embrace the “Do Nothing” Strategy (Especially for Babies)

Sometimes the best treatment is patience. For infants, medical organizations consistently recommend leaving milia alone. They usually disappear within a few weeks as the baby’s skin matures and sheds more effectively. No creams, no scrubbing, no picking.

In adults, smaller milia may also resolve on their own over time as the skin naturally exfoliates. If the bumps are tiny, not spreading, and not bothering you much, you can absolutely choose the “watch and wait” method.

Good for: Mild milia, babies, people who don’t want to risk irritation or scarring.

Not ideal if: The bumps are bothering you cosmetically, getting more numerous, or have been sitting there for months (or years) without budging.

2. Cleanse Gently and Consistently

A solid, gentle cleansing routine won’t magically erase every milium, but it helps prevent dead skin and oils from building up, which is part of the problem. Dermatology sources recommend mild, non-comedogenic cleansers that don’t strip the skin’s barrier.

• Use a gentle face wash once or twice a day.
• Avoid harsh scrubs that leave you feeling “squeaky clean” that’s usually code for “skin barrier screaming.”
• Choose products labeled “non-comedogenic” or “oil-free,” especially if you’re prone to milia or breakouts.

Think of cleansing as keeping the traffic moving on your skin’s surface so keratin and dead cells don’t get trapped as often.

3. Add Gentle Chemical Exfoliation

Instead of scrubbing your face like you’re sanding wood, dermatologists often recommend chemical exfoliants ingredients that dissolve dead skin rather than physically scraping it off. Options that are frequently suggested for preventing and improving milia include:

• Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) like glycolic or lactic acid
• Beta hydroxy acid (BHA) such as salicylic acid

These acids encourage cell turnover and help keep dead skin from getting trapped, which may help milia gradually soften and shed and can reduce new ones from forming.

How to use them wisely:

• Start low and slow 1–3 times per week.
• Avoid applying strong acids near the eyes unless a pro specifically okays a product formulated for that area.
• Always pair exfoliants with daily sunscreen; exfoliated skin is more sun-sensitive.

If your skin starts burning, peeling excessively, or turning bright red, that’s your cue to back off, not double down.

4. Consider a Topical Retinoid (With Respect, Not Recklessness)

Topical retinoids vitamin A–based creams like tretinoin or adapalene are often used to treat acne and texture issues. They speed up cell turnover and can help prevent keratin from getting trapped under the skin, so they’re sometimes used off-label to treat recurrent milia or milia-prone skin.

Common options include:

• Adapalene 0.1% (an over-the-counter retinoid gel in many countries)
• Prescription tretinoin or other prescription-strength retinoids

Important notes:

• Retinoids can be irritating start with a pea-sized amount for the whole face a few nights a week.
• They are not meant for everyone (for example, pregnant or breastfeeding people should discuss retinoids with their clinician).
• Retinoids should not be applied right up to the lash line or on the eyelids unless your dermatologist specifically approves a product.

Used correctly, retinoids can help smooth out texture, reduce clogged pores, and make your skin a less friendly place for milia to hang out.

5. Try Professional-Grade Exfoliation: Peels or Microdermabrasion

If over-the-counter exfoliants aren’t cutting it, dermatologists and licensed skin professionals sometimes use chemical peels or microdermabrasion to improve skin texture and help reduce milia.

These procedures remove the upper layers of dead skin in a controlled way, encouraging smoother skin and fewer trapped keratin plugs. They’re particularly useful if you also have sun damage, fine lines, or uneven tone basically, a “combo deal” for your face.

Because the skin around the eyes is delicate, any peel or exfoliating procedure near that area should be done by an experienced professional using eye-safe protocols. This is not a DIY Sunday project.

6. Let a Professional Extract Them (Do Not DIY This)

When you want milia gone now, the most direct option is professional extraction. A dermatologist or trained professional can:

• Clean and prep the skin using sterile technique.
• Use a very fine sterile needle or a tiny blade to nick the surface.
• Gently express the keratin plug with a specialized tool.

Studies and clinical reviews describe manual extraction as the fastest, most effective way to get rid of stubborn milia when done correctly. Many patients see smoother skin immediately, often with little to no downtime.

Why you shouldn’t replicate this at home:

• Using non-sterile tools (like tweezers or sewing needles) increases the risk of infection.
• Digging too deeply can cause scarring or pigmentation changes, especially on delicate under-eye skin.
• It’s very easy to misjudge how deep the cyst is.

If extraction is something you’re considering, let a professional be the one wielding the sharp instruments.

7. Address Triggers and Adjust Your Skin-Care Routine

For some people, milia keep coming back because of ongoing triggers. Medical and dermatology sources note that risk factors can include heavy, oil-based products, chronic sun damage, and certain underlying skin conditions like rosacea or seborrheic dermatitis.

To help prevent future milia, consider:

• Switching to lighter, non-comedogenic moisturizers and sunscreens.
• Avoiding thick balms and heavy occlusive products around the eyes unless medically recommended.
• Wearing broad-spectrum sunscreen daily to reduce sun damage that can alter how your skin sheds.
• Working with a dermatologist to manage conditions like rosacea, eczema, or chronic rashes that can disrupt the skin barrier.

Think of it as making your routine milia-unfriendly: lighter products, good sun protection, gentle exfoliation, and a calm, healthy skin barrier.

When to See a Professional About Milia

Even though milia are benign, there are times when it’s smart to bring in a pro. Health organizations and dermatology experts recommend seeing a dermatologist or other qualified clinician if:​

• The bumps are spreading, changing color, or looking different from typical small, white cysts.
• You’re not actually sure they are milia they could be something else that needs treatment.
• The bumps are painful, inflamed, bleeding, or oozing.
• You’ve tried gentle at-home care for several months and see no improvement.
• Milia are right on the eyelid margin or affecting your vision or comfort.
• You’re thinking about extraction and want it done safely.

For babies, talk to a pediatrician if you’re worried about the bumps, if they seem irritated or infected, or if you’re not sure whether it’s milia or another rash.

Quick reminder: This article is for general information only. It’s not a substitute for a diagnosis or treatment plan from a qualified health professional who has actually seen your skin.

Can You Prevent Milia Completely?

Short answer: not always. Some people just seem more prone to milia than others, and some forms appear without a clear cause. But you can often lower your risk of recurring milia with smart skin habits:

• Use lightweight, non-comedogenic products, especially on the face and around the eyes.
• Incorporate gentle chemical exfoliation (as tolerated) to support regular skin shedding.
• Protect your face from the sun with SPF, hats, and shade.
• Avoid overusing heavy, occlusive balms unless specifically recommended.

Think “steady, gentle maintenance,” not “scorched-earth skin-care routine.” Your barrier will thank you, and milia might show up less often.

Living With Milia: Confidence, Not Panic

It’s easy to fixate on every little textural bump in high-definition bathroom lighting, but it’s worth remembering: most people don’t notice your milia nearly as much as you do. These bumps are common, harmless, and extremely treatable if you decide you want them gone.

Whether you choose to leave them alone, tweak your skin-care routine, or head to a dermatologist for extraction, you’re not doing it “wrong.” The goal is healthy skin you feel comfortable in not totally poreless, porcelain perfection (which, spoiler alert, no one has in real life).

Real-Life Experiences: What It’s Like to Deal With Milia

Information is great, but it can also help to hear how people actually navigate life with these tiny bumps. While every story is different, certain themes come up again and again.

The Under-Eye Surprise

One common story goes like this: someone invests in a rich new eye cream and, a few weeks later, notices clusters of tiny white bumps under their eyes. At first they assume it’s “tiny pimples,” so they try to pop them. Nothing happens except maybe a little redness and regret.

Eventually they learn those bumps are milia and that heavy, occlusive formulas can sometimes contribute, especially on already delicate under-eye skin. After switching to a lighter gel-based eye product and adding a gentle AHA serum to the rest of the face (avoiding the immediate eye area), the bumps slowly soften. A dermatologist extracts a few stubborn ones in a quick in-office visit, and the under-eye area gradually looks smoother and clearer.

The takeaway from stories like this is simple: “more nourishing” does not always mean “better,” especially if your skin is easily congested. Rich creams absolutely have a place, but they might belong on the cheeks or neck instead of directly under the eyes.

The “I Thought It Was Acne” Phase

Another very typical experience is confusing milia with whiteheads. Someone tries acne spot treatments, drying masks, and aggressive scrubs. The acne might improve, but the tiny hard bumps stay exactly the same. That’s often the moment people realize they’re dealing with a different issue.

Once they see a dermatologist, they learn that milia don’t respond to classic “pimple routines” because they’re not inflamed, bacteria-driven lesions. They’re keratin cysts. Hearing that they’re harmless is usually a huge relief. Many people opt for a one-time extraction to reset their skin and then maintain with gentle exfoliation and smarter product choices.

These stories highlight an important point: if your “acne” refuses to behave like acne, it might be time for a proper skin exam instead of stronger products.

The Chronic Milia Person

Some people are simply milia-prone. They’ll get a few extracted, things look smooth for a while, and then a few months or years later the bumps return, usually in the same high-traffic areas like the cheeks, nose, or under eyes.

For these folks, the most realistic goal isn’t “never again,” but “less often and less noticeable.” They work with their dermatologist to build a routine that might include:

• A low-strength retinoid a few nights per week.
• Occasional professional peels or gentle in-office exfoliation.
• Regular sunscreen and sun-smart habits.
• Strategic product choices lighter formulas, fewer layers, less “slugging.”

With that combination, milia may still show up, but less dramatically and less frequently. And when they do appear, there’s already a plan in place instead of panic.

The Mindset Shift

Probably the biggest “experience lesson” people share is the shift from seeing milia as a crisis to treating them as a manageable quirk. Instead of zooming in on every pore and bump, they start focusing on overall skin health: comfort, moisture balance, protection, and realistic expectations.

Many people also wish they had known sooner that popping milia at home is a bad idea. Once they see how quickly and cleanly a dermatologist can remove them often with minimal redness they’re a lot less tempted to attack their skin in the mirror at midnight.

The emotional journey looks something like this: confusion → frustration → Google rabbit hole → professional advice → relief → more relaxed, long-term routine. If you’re somewhere on that path right now, you’re in very good company.

The Bottom Line

Milia may be tiny, but they definitely know how to steal the spotlight on your face. The key is understanding what they are and choosing the approach that fits your skin, your budget, and your comfort level.

For many people, simple steps gentle cleansing, light moisturizers, cautious exfoliation, and sun protection are enough to keep milia from becoming a big deal. When the bumps are stubborn, spreading, or sitting in delicate areas like the eyelids, a board-certified dermatologist can safely remove them and help you customize a milia-smart routine.

You deserve skin care that supports your confidence, not a never-ending war against every tiny bump. If milia are bothering you, it’s absolutely okay to get help and if you decide to leave them alone, that’s a valid choice too.