How to Identify (and Treat) All the Different Little Bumps on Your Face (2024)

As much as we’re bombarded with images of clear, glowy, and pretty much perfect skin online, it’s totally normal to have bumps on your face. Many of them are annoying, sure, like a chin zit that refuses to budge. For the most part, though, these irregularities are harmless. With that said, there are some exceptions—and it’s important to recognize which sneaky outliers deserve closer attention.

As long as your bump isn’t changing color or size, it probably doesn’t need any immediate medical intervention, Naana Boakye, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Bergen Dermatology in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, tells SELF. But unless you’re a dermatologist who analyzes all sorts of growths, blemishes, and lesions for a living, it can be a real chin scratcher (heh) to distinguish a benign pimple from something more suspicious.

Seeing a derm or even your primary care doctor, if you have one, is the best way to get an accurate assessment of the bump(s) in question. But because not everyone has access to these pros (nor does every little whitehead warrant a pricey and time-consuming visit), we asked experts to outline some of the most common causes of facial bumps—hopefully, their advice can help you figure out whether or not it's worth bringing your specific spots up to a doctor.

1. Comedones

Comedones are a fancy way of describing clogged pores, and there are two common types: closed comedones (whiteheads) and open comedones (blackheads), Joel Schlessinger, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon based in Omaha, tells SELF.

Blackheads get their color when dead skin and excess oil inside the pore are exposed to air (or oxidized), resulting in a brown or blackish spot, Dr. Schlessinger explains. Whiteheads, on the other hand, are closed comedones—meaning that air can’t come in contact with all that buildup. That’s why a whitehead maintains a flesh-colored or, yep, whitish appearance.¹

How to treat them: Whiteheads can be oh-so-tempting to pop. But before you give in to the urge, know this: “Picking at them only delays the healing process and can lead to scarring,” Dr. Boakye warns. Instead, she suggests attacking them with over-the-counter acne products (think cleansers, spot treatments, or pimple patches) with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide—both ingredients are known to calm inflammation and prevent future breakouts.

As for blackheads, you can follow the above advice and also consider adding alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) like mandelic, glycolic, and lactic acid to your routine. They can dissolve the dead skin cells and excess oil that are congesting your pores, Dr. Boakye says. Oh, and you should also avoid using pore strips to remove these dark spots: “The adhesive used to stick them to the skin can strip [the area] of natural oils, and they’re usually only successful in removing the tops of blackheads, keeping pores clogged and your problem intact,” Dr. Schlessinger says.

Some products to try:

2. Acne

To get technical, there are different types of acne, Dr. Boakye explains. First, you’ve got your comedones (whiteheads and blackheads), which we just covered. Then there are papules, inflamed yet relatively small (about 1 millimeters) bumps that are sensitive to the touch.² The slightly bigger version of a papule is called a pustule—what you probably think of as a standard pimple with a white or yellow pus-filled tip.¹ And finally, acne can also come in the form of nodules (or cysts), the most stubborn of all the types, according to Dr. Boakye: “These are hardened lesions. They’re basically a large papule that is deeper in the skin.”¹

How to treat it: Whatever you do, avoid squeezing—you know, for the whole scarring reason we mentioned earlier. Instead, try using a gentle cleanser with benzoyl peroxide (an antibacterial ingredient that kills C. acnes, one of the bacteria that can cause breakouts) and choose oil-free, non-comedogenic products, Jerome Garden, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and director of the Physicians Laser and Dermatology Institute in Chicago, tells SELF. This will help to minimize sebum (oil), which, in excess, can clog pores, Dr. Garden says.³ Another option to consider: Niacinamide, which is known to reduce inflammation and improve acne.

Hormonal imbalances can also trigger zits, so if your skin care routine isn’t doing the trick, it’s a good idea to see a dermatologist or your primary care doctor to get to the bottom of your blemishes.⁴

3. Milia

If you’ve ever noticed a cluster of tiny white bumps around your eyelids that aren’t quite poppable whiteheads—and definitely aren’t blackheads—you might be dealing with harmless cysts called milia (a.k.a. “milk spots”).⁵

“Milia are hard, flesh-toned bumps that form when keratin [a protein found in the outer layer of the skin] and dead skin get trapped underneath the surface,” Dr. Boakye explains.^{6 5} They can resemble acne to the naked eye, but unlike regular ol’ pimples, milia are painless and lack the inflammation, itchiness, or redness commonly associated with acne, she adds.⁷

These little bumps tend to show up around the eyelids, cheeks, or forehead, according to Dr. Schlessinger, and they’re usually caused by oil-based, pore-clogging products, excessive sun exposure, topical steroids, or simply genetics, per the American Academy of Opthalmology.⁵

How to treat them: Again, milia are basically trapped keratin and dead- skin buildup, so they’re not doing any real harm—aside from being a superficial nuisance for some folks. The good news is they usually clear up on their own, Dr. Boakye says, but retinoids and chemical exfoliants (like glycolic acid) can help speed up the process by shedding the dead skin and keratin that got stuck.^{5 7 8}

A dermatologist can also manually remove milia with a minor incision. Basically, they’ll use a sterile needle or scalpel to create a tiny opening and extract the buildup. But please, don’t buy a drugstore extractor tool and attempt this procedure in your bathroom—you’ll run the risk of damaging your skin barrier and causing scarring, Dr. Boakye warns.

4. Fungal acne

Despite its super misleading name, fungal acne (or pityrosporum folliculitis) isn’t really acne at all. “What’s actually happening is an overgrowth of pityrosporum yeast that lives in our hair follicles,” Ife J. Rodney, MD, board-certified dermatologist and director of Eternal Dermatology Aesthetics in Fulton, Maryland, told SELF in 2021. As a result, you may experience groups of small bumps on your chest, back, or face (on the forehead, typically) that resemble skin-colored pimples—but again, they’re not!⁹

One telltale sign that your skin bumps are fungal acne is if they appear in clusters, rather than isolated zits here and there, Dr. Boakye says. Other giveaways include uniformity (“fungal acne tends to be monomorphic,” she says, meaning the bumps will all be the same size) and whether or not the spots respond to conventional antibacterial treatments like benzoyl peroxide. (In the case of fungal acne, they won’t.)⁹

How to treat it: A dermatologist can prescribe oral antifungal medications, such as fluconazole, or topical options like ketoconazole cream. These treatments are designed to specifically address the excess yeast behind the bumps, Dr. Boakye explains.⁹ You can also try using an over-the-counter dandruff shampoo containing selenium sulfide or zinc pyrithione as a cleanser—studies suggest that these anti-fungal ingredients can also stop the growth of pityrosporum yeast.¹⁰

Because the yeast thrives in warm, moist, and humid environments, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) also recommends changing out of sweaty clothes promptly after working out and opting for loose, breathable fabrics (like cotton) when it’s hot outside.

5. Keratosis pilaris

If you notice goosebump-like spots on your arms, legs, or face—and you’re not freezing or freaked out—that could be keratosis pilaris, a condition commonly referred to as “chicken skin.” It’s usually found on the thighs and upper arms, but it can also appear on your cheeks.¹¹ “Keratosis pilaris is caused by small plugs of dead skin cells that block the hair follicle,” Dr. Schlessinger says, which explains why the affected areas can feel rough, dry, and almost sandpaper-like if you have this condition.¹¹

The exact cause of keratosis pilaris isn’t fully understood, but research has found that it’s usually genetic—meaning that if your parents have it, you may be more likely to develop it.¹¹

How to treat it: Keratosis pilaris can occur at any age, but it’s more common in kids and tends to improve in adulthood, the Mayo Clinic says. Research-backed treatments like retinoids, glycolic acid, and salicylic acid can also help shed the dead skin that’s clogging the hair follicles.^{12 11} Because this condition can come with unpleasant peeling and itchiness, the Mayo Clinic also recommends using moisturizers or ointments with lanolin, petroleum jelly, or glycerin to seal in hydration and smooth out any rough patches.

6. Moles

Moles are perfectly normal and, most of the time, harmless. They often appear as brown, skin-colored, or red bumps on the face (as well as other parts of the body), and nearly everyone has at least one, according to the AAD.

Whether you were born with them or you’re noticing some new arrivals, these spots form when the skin’s pigment cells (called melanocytes) clump together in one localized area, rather than being spread out evenly, according to the National Cancer Institute. “Moles can be flat or raised and, if benign, are typically round,” Dr. Schlessinger says. If they’re not cancerous (more on that below), it’s not medically necessary to treat or remove them.

How to treat them: Experts aren’t totally sure what, exactly, causes moles to show up, but excessive exposure to sunlight can increase your chances of developing them, research shows.¹³ That’s why slathering on sunscreen daily is the move here—aside from the obvious skin protection benefits, a religious SPF 30 (or higher) routine may prevent moles and keep existing ones from getting darker, Dr. Boakye says.

If you’re dead set on getting rid of a mole, you’ll need to see a dermatologist. This is especially important if you’re even slightly concerned that your spot might be melanoma (the most deadly form of skin cancer). We’ve already spelled out the signs of a cancerous mole, but to summarize, look out for:

• Asymmetry: If you mentally draw a line down the middle, both halves don’t match.
• Border: The mole’s border is irregular or poorly defined.
• Color: You notice variations, instead of one consistent color throughout.
• Diameter: Melanomas are usually larger than 6 millimeters (about the size of a pencil eraser), though they can be smaller.
• Evolving: The spot looks different from others on your body, or you’ve noticed changes in its size, shape, or color

7. Dermatosis papulosa nigra (DPN)

If you notice a bunch of tiny mole- or freckle-like bumps on your face, you may have what’s known as dermatosis papulosa nigra (DPN). These completely harmless black or brown spots are common in darker complexions and tend to run in families.¹⁴

Unlike moles, which are deeper in the skin, “DPNs are a very superficial buildup of epidermal cells,” Dr. Garden says. “They can be very small and don’t grow much larger than a few millimeters; however, one person can have dozens on the face.”¹⁴

How to treat it: The good news is they’re purely cosmetic, much like freckles.¹⁵ There’s not much you can do to prevent DPNs from forming or becoming more noticeable—other than practicing sun protection.¹⁵ However, a dermatologist can remove DPNs via laser treatments or electrocautery (a.k.a. burning them off).^{14 15} (An important caveat: Lasers can cause hyperpigmentation in people with dark skin tones, so you’ll want to speak to your doctor about the best treatment for you.)¹⁶

8. Skin tags

We’re talking about those fleshy little projections that are attached to your skin via a stalk. These bumps tend to show up in places where your skin folds, like your neck, underarms, groin area, or around your eyelids, Dr. Schlessinger says.¹⁷ That’s because, despite not having one definitive cause, skin tags are commonly linked to skin-on-skin friction or tight clothing—along with certain health conditions like high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and high cholesterol.

They can vary in shape, ranging from finger-like to more circular in appearance. In terms of size, they can span anywhere from one tiny millimeter to five, more noticeable, millimeters, studies show.¹⁷

How to treat them: Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do to prevent skin tags, Tracy Evans, MD, board-certified dermatologist and medical director of Pacific Skin and Cosmetic Dermatology in San Francisco, recently told SELF.

That said, you’re also not stuck with them. They’re harmless, but if you simply don’t like the way yours look or feel, a doctor can “remove them by cutting them off or cauterizing them with heat,” Dr. Schlessinger says.¹⁷

And even if they don’t bug you, you should still get them checked out by a dermatologist if you can.¹⁷ “It’s very common for me to have patients who think they have what looks like a ‘skin tag,’ but in reality is a skin cancer,” Dr. Schlessinger says.

9. An allergic reaction

Sometimes bumps on your face (or other parts of your body) can be indicative of an allergic reaction to something you ate, wore, or applied on your cheeks and forehead.

Hives (also called urticaria) are a type of rash that appears as raised, itchy, and sometimes red welts. They pop up suddenly, upon exposure to an allergen, then disappear a few hours later, per Dr. Schlessinger.¹⁸ Another common allergic reaction is allergic contact dermatitis, which is your immune system’s response to an allergen. In this case, you may experience more severe symptoms, such as burning, intense itching, and excessive dryness hours, even days, after exposure, as SELF previously reported.

How to treat it: This is probably a no-brainer, but you should stop using (or eating) whatever’s causing your facial freak-out. To determine what triggered it, you can see an allergist for a prick or patch test. It can also help to think about any recent product changes you made, such as a new detergent, face wash, or perfume, Dr. Boakye says.

If your allergic reaction is mild and relatively painless, a cool bath and perhaps an over-the-counter oral antihistamine or hydrocortisone cream should do the trick to relieve itching or inflammation, Dr. Schlessinger says. If your symptoms are more intense or you’re also noticing swelling, having trouble breathing, or feeling lightheaded, call your primary care doctor or an emergency room, ASAP. (These could be signs of anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction.)

10. Bumps due to eczema

Dryness and flaking aren’t the only annoying characteristics of atopic dermatitis, the most common form of eczema. Bumps, too, can (ahem) arise with this condition, and they’re pretty easy to differentiate from the pus-filled or angry zits you know and loathe. If eczema is the culprit, they’ll usually appear as “oozing or crusted bumps, scaly patches, or plaques,” Jeremy A. Brauer, MD, board-certified dermatologist and clinical assistant professor at NYU Langone Medical Center, tells SELF.¹⁹

How to treat them: There’s no way to “cure” eczema, sadly, but you can manage the symptoms and prevent flare-ups. For example, Dr. Brauer recommends taking shorter, lukewarm showers, since hot water can deplete the skin of its natural oils and dry it out. A thick, cream-based moisturizer—ideally with ceramides, shea butter, and/or glycerin—can also alleviate any cracking or flaking, according to the National Eczema Organization.

11. Bumps due to rosacea

Also a chronic issue, rosacea typically appears as persistent blushing on the face.²⁰ But in rosacea type 2 (a subtype of the condition), red, painful, and inflamed papules or pustules are also part of the problem.²¹ They’re different from acne in that they aren’t the result of clogged pores, Dr. Boakye explains. (Limited research suggests that rosacea bumps might actually be an inflammatory reaction, which, in some people, may be triggered by an overgrowth of Demodex mites that naturally live in hair follicles and sebaceous glands.)²²

Much like eczema, the exact cause of rosacea isn’t known, but a bunch of factors can lead to frustrating flare-ups, Dr. Boakye says. For example, spicy foods, caffeine, and sunlight are some of the most commonly reported triggers to avoid if you’re dealing with this condition.²³

How to treat them: Unfortunately, there aren’t any permanent cures for rosacea yet either.²³ But once you’re officially diagnosed, topical azelaic acid and oral antibiotics like doxycycline can target those bumps specifically.^{24 25} “People with rosacea tend to have more sensitive skin, so swapping out harsh soaps for gentle cleansers and light moisturizers is also helpful,” according to Dr. Garden.

12. Ingrown hairs

Most of us have experienced an ingrown hair or two at some point in our lives. But what exactly causes that swollen little bubble after tweezing, shaving, or bikini waxing?

When hair regrows, it emerges up and above the skin. But if it starts to curl back instead (because the follicle is clogged by dead skin cells or dirt), it can get trapped and form a small, raised, and (in some skin tones) red bump, per the Mayo Clinic.

Luckily, ingrown hairs are often pretty easy to ID, appearing as a tiny loop stuck in the skin at both ends; other times, however, you might not even see the strand and instead notice the resulting inflammation in the form of a cyst-like lesion.

How to treat them: Poking and prodding your skin in an attempt to yank out the stray hair is not the answer. In fact, tweezing, as well as waxing or shaving an ingrown can potentially lead to infection. Instead, apply a warm compress and gently rub the spot in circular motions; this will help to soften the top layer of your skin, which should make it easier for the hair to break free, as SELF previously reported.

Another, more long-term solution to consider is laser hair removal, which, Dr. Garden says, damages the follicle and reduces the likelihood of getting ingrowns.²⁶ However, there are risks involved—including the potential for hyperpigmentation, burns, or even scarring—so it’s always important to seek out a dermatologist’s advice before deciding on the treatment.²⁷

The next time you start freaking out about your textured forehead, say, or that raging honker on your cheek, take comfort in the fact that many facial bumps are manageable and not the end of the world. If you’re worried (or annoyed), though, it definitely doesn’t hurt to check in with a dermatologist or your primary care doctor. After all, your skin health—and especially your precious little face—is definitely worth the extra caution.

Sources:

1. InformedHealth.org, Acne: Overview
2. StatPearls, Acne Vulgaris
3. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, The Association Between Stress and Acne Among Female Medical Students in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
4. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, A Review of the Role of Sebum in the Mechanism of Acne Pathogenesis
5. StatPearls, Milia
6. Oncology Letters, Milia May Originate from the Outermost Layers of the Hair Bulge of the Outer Root Sheath: A Case Report
7. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, Milia: A Review and Classification
8. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, Glycolic Acid Peel Therapy – A Current Review
9. The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, Malassezia (Pityrosporum) Folliculitis
10. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, The In Vitro Antifungal Activity of Ketoconazole, Zinc Pyrithione, and Selenium Sulfide Against Pityrosporum and Their Efficacy as a Shampoo in the Treatment of Experimental Pityrosporosis in Guinea Pigs
11. Cureus, A Narrative Review on the Role of Acids, Steroids, and Kinase Inhibitors in the Treatment of Keratosis Pilaris
12. StatPearls, Keratosis Pilaris
13. BMC Family Practice, Patient Understanding of Moles and Skin Cancer, And Factors Influencing Presentation in Primary Care: A Qualitative Study
14. StatPearls, Dermatosis Papulosa Nigra
15. The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, Dermatosis Papulosa Nigra: A Quality of Life Survey
16. StatPearls, Laser Complications
17. StatPearls, Skin Tags
18. Northern Clinics of Istanbul, Diagnosis and Treatment of Urticaria in Primary Care
19. StatPearls, Eczema
20. Dermatology and Therapy, Rosacea Treatment: Review and Update
21. Dermatology Reports, Rosacea: A Clinical Review
22. Indian Journal of Ophthalmology, Demodex and Rosacea: Is There a Relationship?
23. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, Rosacea: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Steps to Take
24. Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy, Azelaic Acid 15% Gel in the Treatment of Rosacea
25. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, Safety and Efficacy of Doxycycline in the Treatment of Rosacea
26. The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, Folliculitis Induced by Laser Hair Removal: Proposed Mechanism and Treatment
27. StatPearls, Laser Hair Removal

Related:

• Here’s How to Deal With Annoying Scalp Acne
• The Best Ways to Treat Melasma on Your Face, According to Dermatologists
• Here’s How to Treat Painful Sunburn Blisters