Ever noticed tiny, pale bumps on your lips or inner tear trough and thought, Great, another thing my skin is doing without my permission? Maybe you’ve tried to squeeze them, convinced they were clogged pores, only to realize—nothing happens. If this sounds familiar, you’re likely dealing with Fordyce granules, and here’s the good news: they’re completely normal. As a busy facialist, I'm often asked about these bumps and how to minimize their appearance, so I wanted to make a special blog post about them.
What Are Fordyce Granules?
Fordyce granules (also called Fordyce spots) are enlarged sebaceous (oil) glands that appear as small, white, yellowish, or flesh-colored spots. They typically show up on the lips, inner corner of the tear troughs, inside the cheeks, or on the genitals. 🫣 Unlike regular oil glands connected to hair follicles, these are ectopic, meaning they exist in places where sebaceous glands normally wouldn’t be.
These spots aren’t pimples, clogged pores, or a sign of an underlying condition. In fact, about 70-80% of adults have them—it’s just that some people notice them more than others. They’re entirely benign (non-harmful) and not contagious.
Why Do They Appear?
Fordyce granules are a genetic trait—kind of like your dad’s nose or your mom’s bad dance moves, except these are harmless and don’t embarrass you at weddings. They often become more visible during puberty and Puberty 2.0 (hot flash edition), when sebaceous glands become more active (again). Because they’re part of your skin’s natural anatomy, they’re not something you can truly "get rid of."
Can You Minimize Their Appearance?
While Fordyce granules don’t need treatment, some people want to refine their appearance. Here are a few things that might help, though results vary:
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Exfoliation & Retinoids: Using a gentle physical/chemical exfoliant (like Grit) or a retinoid can help smooth the skin’s texture over time, making the spots slightly less noticeable.
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Laser Treatments: Some dermatologists offer CO2 laser or electrosurgery for stubborn spots, but they often return since they are part of your genetic makeup.
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Hydration & Barrier Support: Keeping lips and skin hydrated can sometimes make Fordyce spots appear less prominent, as dry skin can make them stand out more. Get barrier support with The Duo.
Common Lookalikes
If you’re unsure whether you have Fordyce granules, here are a few things they can be mistaken for:
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Syringomas: Small, benign sweat gland tumors that often appear as tiny, firm, skin-colored or yellowish bumps, typically around the eyes. Also completely normal bumps.
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Clogged Pores or Milia: Unlike acne or milia, Fordyce granules don’t have a plug of debris that can be extracted.
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Cold Sores: Fordyce spots are painless and don’t blister or scab like a herpes outbreak.
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Pearly Penile Papules (PPP): If the bumps are on the genitals, they could be PPP—another completely normal variation of anatomy. 🍆
The Bottom Line
At the end of the day, Fordyce granules are just a fun little reminder that your skin is doing its own thing, whether you like it or not. Think of them as the unsolicited advice of your oil glands—totally unnecessary, but also totally harmless. We are a bumpy mammal. No need to stress over something that’s entirely natural.
If you’re ever unsure about what’s going on with your skin, though, a professional consultation is always a good idea. But in the case of Fordyce granules? You can rest easy—no extraction necessary. 😉
If you can't tell, I'm here to normalize being bumpy mammals. 📣