Ever noticed tiny white or yellowish bumps on your lips or genitals? They might be Fordyce spots—a harmless and very common skin feature. “They have nothing to do with poor hygiene, infections, or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs),” and are not painful or itchy.

These bumps aren’t warts, herpes, or pimples. According to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology, they’re “a normal anatomical variant, not a medical issue.” Don’t squeeze or pick at them—doing so can irritate your skin and cause scarring.

Fordyce spots are simply oil glands that appear on areas without hair, like the lips or genitals. “Normally, these glands are hidden… but in areas without hair, the glands can become visible.” About 70–80% of adults have them, even if they don’t notice.