What Are The Yellow Spots Under My Eyes?

Yellow spots under your eyes that are soft, flat or slightly raised, and painless, are most likely xanthelasma, a build-up of cholesterol-rich fat in the skin. They usually start near the inner corner of the eye and can appear on the upper lids, the lower lids or both. Doctors call them xanthelasma palpebrarum. They tend to grow slowly, if at all, and they don’t itch, hurt or turn into anything serious.

Under the eyes the skin is very thin, so even small patches can be easy to see, and some people notice them first in photos or bright bathroom light. If you’re not sure what you’re looking at, our guide to yellow marks on eyelids shows the signs.

Is It Xanthelasma, Milia Or Something Else?

A few common bumps under the eyes can look similar, but they’re easy to tell apart once you know what to look for. Xanthelasma is yellow, soft and flat or gently raised, often in patches. Milia are tiny, hard, pearly-white dots, like grains of sand under the skin, and are very common. Syringomas are small, firm, skin-coloured or slightly yellow bumps, usually in clusters on the lower lids. Our side-by-side guide on milia or xanthelasma has pictures of each. Larger, firmer yellow lumps elsewhere on the body are a different thing again, called xanthomas; our guide to what is xanthoma explains the difference.

Why Do Cholesterol Spots Appear Under The Eyes?

The patches form when cholesterol-carrying fats build up inside cells just under the skin. Raised cholesterol or triglycerides can play a part, and so can family history, but around half of people with xanthelasma have completely normal cholesterol levels. The StatPearls review of xanthelasma notes that it’s most common between the ages of 30 and 50 and slightly more common in women. Our guide to cholesterol buildup in eyes explains the cholesterol link calmly.

Some other conditions can raise blood fats too, including an underactive thyroid, diabetes, liver problems and some medicines, which is one more reason a simple check is worth having. Lowering raised cholesterol is good for your heart, but it rarely makes existing patches fade on its own.

Should I See A Doctor About Cholesterol Spots Under My Eyes?

Yes, once, for peace of mind. Your GP can arrange a blood test for cholesterol, blood sugar and thyroid, which takes a few minutes. Research has linked xanthelasma with a slightly higher risk of heart disease, even when cholesterol is normal, so it’s a useful prompt to look after your heart. Our guide to is xanthelasma a sign of heart disease explains what that really means, without the scare stories. See a doctor sooner if a spot grows quickly, bleeds, becomes painful or looks different from the rest.

It also helps to tell your doctor if anyone in your family had high cholesterol or heart problems young, as that can change which tests they suggest. If your results are normal, that’s reassuring, and the spots are simply a cosmetic issue you can choose to deal with or leave. If they’re raised, bringing them down is good for your heart, whatever you decide about the spots themselves.

How Do I Get Rid Of Cholesterol Bumps Under My Eyes?

You can have them removed at a clinic or improve their look at home. Clinic options include surgery, laser, freezing and chemical peels. Under the eyes, each needs extra care, because the lower lid has little spare skin and can be pulled down slightly if too much is removed. At home, Xanthel® is a cosmetic gel made to order for your skin and applied usually just once. Home remedies such as garlic or oils won’t make the patches fade.

Each route has its trade-offs. Surgery removes the patch directly but leaves a fine scar; read more in surgery or Xanthel. Laser usually takes more than one session; see laser or Xanthel. Freezing can lighten or darken the skin, which shows more under the eyes. And if you’ve been tempted by natural options, our guide to home remedies for cholesterol deposits around eyes explains what’s safe that close to the eye.

If you’d like to deal with them at home, Xanthel® xanthelasma removal cream is designed to improve the look of xanthelasma, made to order for your skin type and tone, and applied in two minutes or less. See real customers’ eyelids on our Xanthel® results page.