Many people are puzzled by the tiny white bumps that appear under their eyes—are they closed comedones? Pimples? In fact, they are neither. These small protrusions are most likely milia.
You may have noticed subtle white bumps beneath your eyes—these are commonly known as milia or oil seeds in English. Also referred to as milium cysts, they are not actually related to “fat” at all. Instead, milia are tiny keratin-filled cysts that form when keratin— a protein found in the skin— becomes trapped beneath the outer layer of the skin. They often originate from the epithelial ducts of skin appendages such as hair follicles, sweat glands, or the epidermis.
The word “cyst” might sound scary, but there’s no need to worry. These superficial epidermal cysts are very common. They appear as small, white or pearlescent, firm bumps about the size of a pinhead—resembling tiny sesame seeds. They are most often found on the face, particularly around the eyes in women. While completely harmless, they can affect the smoothness and clarity of the skin, making it appear less clean.
The skin around the eyes is the most delicate part of the face and lacks sebaceous glands, making it harder to metabolize oils and impurities. In this sense, milia could be seen as a form of “localized clogged pores” under the eyes. The main causes of milia include hormonal imbalance and inadequate cleansing, which lead to clogged pores. Improper skincare techniques and the use of unsuitable products can also contribute. According to traditional Chinese medicine, frequent milia may even suggest spleen deficiency, which affects the body’s ability to transport and transform fluids.
Although milia pose no health risk and some may resolve on their own, mature or hardened milia are more stubborn and unlikely to disappear without intervention. That’s why many people choose aesthetic treatments or professional skincare management to remove or improve them.
For those with oily or rough skin, Hydrafacial and acid peels are excellent options. As a high-end skincare treatment, Hydrafacial deeply purifies the skin while delivering nourishing ingredients to help repair the skin barrier—making it even suitable for sensitive skin. Acid peels, on the other hand, work by exfoliating dead skin cells and unclogging pores using acids, which reactivates the skin’s natural cell turnover, helping to reduce milia, comedones, and other similar skin issues.
In more severe cases, laser treatments may be necessary. At Ai Beauty Clinic in London, the advanced PicoSure laseroffers a professional solution. Often, just one session is effective, though follow-up treatments may be needed in the event of recurrence.