We all want clear, glowing skin free of blemishes, but those annoying little white dots seem impossible to avoid. Whether they congregate on your chin, pepper your cheeks, or take up residence on your nose, these white bumps on face can really detract from your appearance and confidence. But what exactly causes these white dots on the face, and is there anything you can do to banish them for good? Read on to finally demystify those vexing white bumps!
What Are Those White Dots Anyway?
White dots on the face, especially on and around the nose, chin, and cheeks, are likely sebaceous filaments. Sebaceous filaments consist of a mixture of sebum (oil secreted by glands in the skin) and dead skin cells that fill up and stretch out your pores. They look like tiny little white- or tan-colored bumps that lie just under the surface of your skin.
Sebaceous filaments are often most noticeable on and around the nose because your nostrils contain a very high concentration of sebaceous glands. The same goes for the chin area. Those areas naturally produce a lot of oil, which combines with dead skin cells in the pores to create those small white bumps on the face in concentrations we like to call sebaceous filaments.
These filaments are essentially miniature clogged pores filled with leftover gunk in your skin. They tend to be more noticeable on some skin tones than others. On paler complexions, they blend right into the skin. But on darker complexions, they stand out starkly in contrast against the skin, making them much more visible. So, if you have a dark complexion, you may notice them cropping up even when they’re relatively small.
What Causes Sebaceous Filaments?
A variety of factors can cause a build-up of sebum and dead skin that leads to visible sebaceous filaments, including:
- Excess oil production - Some people simply produce more sebum naturally. This excess oil easily mixes with dead skill cells to clog pores.
- Not properly removing makeup - Leftover makeup and skin care products can mix with oil and dead skin cells, blocking pores.
- Inadequate exfoliation - Dead skin cells build up when they are not sloughed off through proper exfoliation. These cells can clog pores.
- Dehydration - When skin becomes very dehydrated, the sebaceous glands work overtime producing more oil, which leads to more clogged pores.
- Hormonal changes - Puberty, pregnancy, and menopause can all trigger increased sebum production thanks to changing estrogen levels.
As you can see, the common factor in the development of noticeable sebaceous filaments tends to be excess oil mixed with dead skin cells. So, controlling oil production and regularly removing dead skin cells are key to preventing a build-up of those annoying little, hard white bumps on the face.
Are Sebaceous Filaments the Same as Whiteheads?
Whiteheads and sebaceous filaments can look very similar on the surface, but they have some key differences. Whiteheads form when a pore becomes completely clogged with oil, dead skin cells, and often bacteria too. This clog then traps the oil, dead skin, and bacteria below the surface of the skin, creating a small, round white bump.
Meanwhile, sebaceous filaments consist of only oil and dead skin cells filling up the pore but not entirely blocking it. The opening remains somewhat clear to the surface but appears stretched out and widened, making the oil and skin cell mixture more visible beneath the surface.
So, while whiteheads represent completely blocked pores below the skin, sebaceous filaments are partially clogged pores that haven’t quite sealed over completely. Those annoying little white bumps on chin are essentially visible open pores that have filled with gunk!
How to Get Rid of Sebaceous Filaments
While sebaceous filaments are natural and can’t ever be completely eliminated, you can certainly minimize their appearance and keep them from becoming too prominent through the following methods:
- Exfoliate Regularly- Sloughing away dead skin cells through exfoliation is key to preventing their build-up within pores and development of visible sebaceous filaments. Use Mud Mask weekly to deep clean pores and gently exfoliate. Our mud mask contains sweet almond oil, black seed oil, tea tree essential oil, vitamin C, green tea, aloe vera to dissolve oil, lift away dead cells, kill acne bacteria, and refine skin texture. Follow with Sensitive Skin Moisturizing Toner Gel to hydrate skin and restore pH balance.
- Cleanse Twice Daily- Wash morning and evening with Sensitive Skin Face Cleanser to eliminate excess oil, makeup residue, dead skin and other pore-cloggers that could mix with sebum and lead to more prominent sebaceous filaments. Our Tangerine scented cleanser is gentle enough for daily use but effectively dissolves and rinses away impurities.
- Control Oil Production - Keeping oil production in check will inherently minimize sebum build-up within pores that makes sebaceous filaments more visible. Stay hydrated and use oil-free, non-comedogenic moisturizers like Sensitive Skin Moisturizer to supply moisture that prevents the overproduction of oil.
Small brown dots on skin
In addition to white bumps, some people also struggle with small brown dots on their skin. These tiny dots, also called lentigines, are quite common, especially among those with darker complexions. Just like sebaceous filaments, they are exacerbated by sun exposure and tend to multiply with age. While harmless, these freckle-like spots can be cosmetically concerning. Integrating brightening treatments into your skincare routine can help fade their appearance over time. Our Brightening Skincare Bundle leverages the natural skin lightener mulberry root extract along with niacinamide and vitamin C to gently inhibit melanin production and diminish brown spots and discoloration. With consistent use, you can achieve a more uniform complexion free of pesky dot clusters.
Banish Annoying Complexion Dots for Good with a Tailored Skincare Regimen
While sebaceous filaments and other common skin dots may seem inevitable, incorporating the right gentle but effective products into your daily skincare routine can keep them at bay. Ekhambee offers a range of products specially formulated for sensitive yet blemish-prone skin. Our cleansers, toners, masks, moisturizers and treatment serums feature skin-nourishing botanicals extracts along with clarifying acids and antioxidants to decongest clogged pores, accelerate cell renewal, control excess oil, and reveal your healthiest, clearest complexion.
With a customized Ekhambee skincare regimen suited to your unique skin needs, you can successfully prevent and treat congestion and discoloration issues for smooth, glowing skin free of annoying white bumps, brown spots and other complexion-disrupters. Our affordable, dermatologist-approved formulations offer an accessible, fuss-free solution to demystify the cause of skin dots and dots and finally achieve the flawless, unblemished complexion you desire. Banish pesky complexion dots for good and unlock your inner radiance with Ekhambee!
