Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsMiliaClogged PoresSebaceous HyperplasiaSebaceous CystsSeborrheic KeratosesActinic KeratosesSkin CancerXanthelasmaWhen to See a Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Milia
Clogged Pores
Sebaceous Hyperplasia
Sebaceous Cysts
Seborrheic Keratoses
Actinic Keratoses
Skin Cancer
Xanthelasma
When to See a Provider
White bumps on your face can appear under your eyes, on your cheek, forehead, chin, or nose. These facial bumps become more common with age and during pregnancy.
1. Milia
Miliaare white, raised, hard bumps that look like grains of sand trapped under the skin. While they are typically small (only about 1 to 2 millimeters in diameter), some can be larger.
Milia can appear anywhere on the face, but are most common around the eyes and on the cheeks, nose, and forehead.
DermNet /CC BY-NC-ND
These bumps develop when a plug of oil and dead skin cells filled withkeratin(the protein that makes up your skin, hair, and nails) becomes trapped just beneath the skin’s surface. The white bump you see is this plug showing through a thin layer of skin.
Milia are incredibly common. If you are suddenly getting milia, it can be due to changes in your skincare routine, aging, pregnancy, or skin damage, such as sunburn.
Luckily, milia are completely harmless.
How to Get Rid of Milia
Milia often resolve on their own and there is no medical reason to treat milia. While you shouldn’t try to extract them yourself, there are things you can do at home to help speed up their disappearance:
If these at-home milia treatments do not work or you want faster results, see a dermatologist for othermilia treatment options.
2. Clogged Pores
Clogged pores, also known ascomedones, are another cause of bumps on the face.
They are small, usually white or skin-colored, and give the skin a rough and uneven appearance. The white color you see is a plug of oil trapped inside the pore.
Comedones are actually a type ofnon-inflamed acne blemish. Like milia, they are extremely common, especially in people with oily skin.
Comedones aren’t serious, but sometimes they can progress to larger,inflamed pimples. They can be annoying enough that you will probably want to treat them.
How to Unclog Pores
Mildcomedonal acnecan be treated with OTC acne products containing salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide.
If OTC products aren’t working well, pay a visit to a healthcare provider or dermatologist. They can help you devise a treatment plan for comedonal acne.
3. Sebaceous Hyperplasia
Sebaceous hyperplasiamay look like acne, but it is actually overgrownsebaceous (oil) glands.
These glands are found in the deeper layers of the skin and are responsible for making the oil (technically calledsebum) to keep your skin moist and lubricated.
DermNet NZ
When the sebaceous glands become enlarged, they push up toward the surface of the skin and create a white, yellowish, or skin-colored bump. The bumps can be either soft or hard.
Sebaceous hyperplasia is common over the age of 40. Though it can sometimes look like milia, you can easily tell the difference: Sebaceous hyperplasia bumps have a depressed area in the middle and milia do not.
However, this type of blemish can look very similar tobasal cell skin cancerand it’s hard to differentiate between the two.
Have a healthcare provider take a look at your skin to make sure you get the right diagnosis.
Treatment of Sebaceous Hyperplasia
Because sebaceous hyperplasia is harmless, there’s no pressing reason to treat it.
But if the bumps bother you, they can be treated with prescription medications and/or an in-office procedure calledelectrodessication.
4. Sebaceous Cysts
Sebaceous cystsare white, yellow, or flesh-colored soft bumps under the skin. They often appear on the face, neck, or scalp, but can also develop on the shoulders or back.
These cysts are like small sacks under the surface of the skin that are filled with keratin or oil. They form around a sebaceous gland when its opening becomes blocked.
Steven Fruitsmaak/Wikimedia Commons
Unlike sebaceous hyperplasia, where the bumps are firmly attached to the skin,sebaceous cystsmove freely when you push on them—almost as if a little water balloon was underneath the surface of the skin.
Small sebaceous cysts typically don’t hurt, unless they become infected. Larger cysts can cause some pressure or pain.
Getting Rid of Sebaceous Cysts
Treatment depends on the cyst. Some small cysts are treatable with steroid injections, while others may need to be drained or surgically removed.
5. Seborrheic Keratoses
Seborrheic keratosesare another common, and harmless, type of skin blemish. These growths start as a small bump but can grow to larger than 1 inch in diameter.
Seborrheic keratoses are most often brown in color, but they can sometimes be white or skin-colored, especially in their early stages. They can appear on the face and nearly anywhere else on the body.
The key identifying factor here is that seborrheic keratoses look like a drip of wax or blob of clay stuck to the skin. They also almost look as if they could be pulled off.
These benign skin growths are more common in people who are middle-aged or older. Younger people very rarely get seborrheic keratoses.
Treatment of Seborrheic Keratosis
Treatment for seborrheic keratosisincludes:
6. Actinic Keratoses
These types of growths are more common as you age.
Actinic keratosesoften start out as just a rough, scaly patch on the skin. As they progress, they turn into crusty, hard bumps on the skin. They can be white, red, brown, or skin-colored.
Removal and Treatment Options
Treatments for actinic keratosesinclude:
7. Skin Cancer
One of the more serious causes of white bumps on the skin isskin cancer. While not as common as the other causes,basal cell skin cancercan show up on the skin as a pearly white bump. The bumps may also be pink, red, brown, or skin-colored.
Basal cell skin cancer can also just look like a rough, scaly patch or a sore that doesn’t heal.
Nodular basal cell carcinoma.DermNet /CC BY-NC-ND
Treating Skin Cancer
Basal cell skin cancer grows slowly and is very treatable, especially when it’s caught early.The most common treatment is surgical removal, but your healthcare provider could recommend radiation, cryotherapy, or even immunotherapy or chemotherapy.
8. Xanthelasma
Xanthelasmacauses white-to-yellow, irregularly shaped bumps on the eyelids or around the eyes. Milia are also common around the eyes, but they are dome-shaped.
People with xanthelasma often have high blood cholesterol levels. The bumps are actually made up of cholesterol deposits under the skin and are sometimes referred to as cholesterol bumps because of this.
Xanthelasma isn’t very common, but it won’t go away on its own.
Getting Rid of Xanthelasma Bumps
Xanthelasma isn’t harmful, but you may want to treat it for cosmetic reasons.
These bumps can be removed with:
If you notice xanthelasma, consult your healthcare provider. Cholesterol deposits could sometimes be a sign of more serious health problems.
When to Call a Healthcare Provider
There are other reasons you may have white bumps on your skin. Although they aren’t as common as the aforementioned blemishes, they can be more serious.
See your regular healthcare provider and/or a dermatologist if the bump(s):
Also see your healthcare provider if:
Once you know exactly what’s causing the white bumps on your skin, you can begin treating them appropriately.
Summary
White bumps on the face can have many different causes. Most are likely due to clogged pores or milia, and many don’t require any treatment. However, others may be a cause for concern.
Even though your bump(s) may perfectly fit one of the descriptions offered here, it’s best to see a healthcare provider to get a proper diagnosis. It’s better to confirm something harmless than to miss the chance to catch a problematic condition as early as possible.
16 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Ophthalmology.What is milia?MedlinePlus.Comedones.Gold MH, Baldwin H, Lin T.Management of comedonal acne vulgaris with fixed-combination topical therapy.J Cosmet Dermatol. 2018;17(2):227-231. doi:10.1111/jocd.12497Australasian College of Dermatologists.Sebaceous hyperplasia.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Sebaceous Cysts.American Academy of Dermatology.Seborrheic keratoses: Signs and symptoms.Wollina U.Seborrheic Keratoses - The Most Common Benign Skin Tumor of Humans. Clinical presentation and an update on pathogenesis and treatment options.Open Access Maced J Med Sci. 2018;6(11):2270-2275. doi:10.3889/oamjms.2018.460American Academy of Dermatology.Seborrheic keratoses: Diagnosis and treatment.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Actinic Keratosis.Skin Cancer Foundation.Actinic Keratosis Treatment.American Academy of Dermatology.Skin cancer types: Basal cell carcinoma overview.Lanoue J, Goldenberg G.Basal Cell Carcinoma: A Comprehensive Review of Existing and Emerging Nonsurgical Therapies.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol.2016;9(5):26-36.American Cancer Society.Treating Basal Cell Carcinoma.Nair PA, Singhal R.Xanthelasma palpebrarum - a brief review.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2018;11:1-5. doi:10.2147/CCID.S130116American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Xanthelasma.American Academy of Dermatology.How can I tell if I have skin cancer?
16 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Ophthalmology.What is milia?MedlinePlus.Comedones.Gold MH, Baldwin H, Lin T.Management of comedonal acne vulgaris with fixed-combination topical therapy.J Cosmet Dermatol. 2018;17(2):227-231. doi:10.1111/jocd.12497Australasian College of Dermatologists.Sebaceous hyperplasia.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Sebaceous Cysts.American Academy of Dermatology.Seborrheic keratoses: Signs and symptoms.Wollina U.Seborrheic Keratoses - The Most Common Benign Skin Tumor of Humans. Clinical presentation and an update on pathogenesis and treatment options.Open Access Maced J Med Sci. 2018;6(11):2270-2275. doi:10.3889/oamjms.2018.460American Academy of Dermatology.Seborrheic keratoses: Diagnosis and treatment.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Actinic Keratosis.Skin Cancer Foundation.Actinic Keratosis Treatment.American Academy of Dermatology.Skin cancer types: Basal cell carcinoma overview.Lanoue J, Goldenberg G.Basal Cell Carcinoma: A Comprehensive Review of Existing and Emerging Nonsurgical Therapies.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol.2016;9(5):26-36.American Cancer Society.Treating Basal Cell Carcinoma.Nair PA, Singhal R.Xanthelasma palpebrarum - a brief review.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2018;11:1-5. doi:10.2147/CCID.S130116American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Xanthelasma.American Academy of Dermatology.How can I tell if I have skin cancer?
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.What is milia?MedlinePlus.Comedones.Gold MH, Baldwin H, Lin T.Management of comedonal acne vulgaris with fixed-combination topical therapy.J Cosmet Dermatol. 2018;17(2):227-231. doi:10.1111/jocd.12497Australasian College of Dermatologists.Sebaceous hyperplasia.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Sebaceous Cysts.American Academy of Dermatology.Seborrheic keratoses: Signs and symptoms.Wollina U.Seborrheic Keratoses - The Most Common Benign Skin Tumor of Humans. Clinical presentation and an update on pathogenesis and treatment options.Open Access Maced J Med Sci. 2018;6(11):2270-2275. doi:10.3889/oamjms.2018.460American Academy of Dermatology.Seborrheic keratoses: Diagnosis and treatment.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Actinic Keratosis.Skin Cancer Foundation.Actinic Keratosis Treatment.American Academy of Dermatology.Skin cancer types: Basal cell carcinoma overview.Lanoue J, Goldenberg G.Basal Cell Carcinoma: A Comprehensive Review of Existing and Emerging Nonsurgical Therapies.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol.2016;9(5):26-36.American Cancer Society.Treating Basal Cell Carcinoma.Nair PA, Singhal R.Xanthelasma palpebrarum - a brief review.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2018;11:1-5. doi:10.2147/CCID.S130116American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Xanthelasma.American Academy of Dermatology.How can I tell if I have skin cancer?
American Academy of Ophthalmology.What is milia?
MedlinePlus.Comedones.
Gold MH, Baldwin H, Lin T.Management of comedonal acne vulgaris with fixed-combination topical therapy.J Cosmet Dermatol. 2018;17(2):227-231. doi:10.1111/jocd.12497
Australasian College of Dermatologists.Sebaceous hyperplasia.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Sebaceous Cysts.
American Academy of Dermatology.Seborrheic keratoses: Signs and symptoms.
Wollina U.Seborrheic Keratoses - The Most Common Benign Skin Tumor of Humans. Clinical presentation and an update on pathogenesis and treatment options.Open Access Maced J Med Sci. 2018;6(11):2270-2275. doi:10.3889/oamjms.2018.460
American Academy of Dermatology.Seborrheic keratoses: Diagnosis and treatment.
American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Actinic Keratosis.
Skin Cancer Foundation.Actinic Keratosis Treatment.
American Academy of Dermatology.Skin cancer types: Basal cell carcinoma overview.
Lanoue J, Goldenberg G.Basal Cell Carcinoma: A Comprehensive Review of Existing and Emerging Nonsurgical Therapies.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol.2016;9(5):26-36.
American Cancer Society.Treating Basal Cell Carcinoma.
Nair PA, Singhal R.Xanthelasma palpebrarum - a brief review.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2018;11:1-5. doi:10.2147/CCID.S130116
American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Xanthelasma.
American Academy of Dermatology.How can I tell if I have skin cancer?
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
