Milia (Milk Spots)

Milia are small, white or yellowish bumps that appear just under the surface of the skin—most often on the face. While they’re harmless and typically cosmetic, they reflect deeper issues with skin turnover, protein metabolism, or oil gland function. Milia can be especially persistent when the skin isn't shedding properly or if underlying systems (like digestion or the liver) are sluggish.

• Location of Symptom

  Most commonly found on:

  Cheeks

  Nose

  Around the eyes

  Chin

  Forehead

  They may also appear on the chest, arms, or elsewhere if there's chronic irritation or product buildup.

• Physiological Breakdown

  Imagine your skin as a conveyor belt that’s supposed to bring cells to the surface and then clear them off. When the conveyor slows down—due to sluggish skin turnover or poor digestion—dead skin cells and keratin (a structural protein) get trapped just below the surface, forming tiny cysts. This process can happen over days or weeks and is more likely when the body struggles to eliminate waste or metabolize fats and proteins effectively.

• Common Signs

  Small, hard white bumps that don’t go away easily

  Often appear in clusters

  Not red, inflamed, or painful

  Don’t pop like acne

• Rudimentary Root Causes

  Skin barrier: Blocked pores from heavy creams or poor exfoliation

  Liver: Inability to properly metabolize fats and clear cellular debris

  Digestive: Protein malabsorption or sluggish enzyme output

  Lymphatic: Congestion or poor cellular waste removal

  Hormonal: Oil gland imbalances during puberty, pregnancy, or stress

  External: Overuse of comedogenic products or improper skincare

  Medications: Use of topical steroids or heavy emollients

• Underlying Tissue States

  The following tissue states may represent underlying imbalances contributing to this symptom:

  Dry/Atrophy: Poor skin cell turnover or lack of internal moisture

  Cold/Depression: Slowed enzymatic activity or digestion

  Damp/Stagnation: Buildup of keratin, oils, and metabolic waste

• Organ Systems Affected

  Integumentary system (skin), Digestive system, Liver, Lymphatic system

Are you exfoliating too much or too little? Do you use heavy creams or occlusive products? How well is your digestion? Any signs of protein/fat malabsorption? Do you sweat regularly or feel puffy/congested? Is your skin overly dry or slow to heal? Milia might seem minor, but they often reflect skin that isn’t breathing well or deeper issues with protein or fat metabolism. Supporting the skin inside and out—through diet, liver support, and simple topical changes—can help your skin return to its natural flow. Reach out for a personalized strategy.

Disclaimer

Each person’s condition has a unique root cause, and lifestyle, diet and herbal remedies must be tailored to the individual. The information on this page is intended for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for personalized care. If you’d like support in understanding your specific situation, please reach out to me for guidance.