Which of the following conditions results in the formation of small, white cysts on the skin?

Milia are small, white cysts that typically appear on the skin, often around the eyes, cheeks, and forehead. These cysts are formed when keratin, a protein found in the skin, becomes trapped beneath the surface of the skin. This trapping can occur when dead skin cells do not shed properly or when the skin is overly oily. Milia are common in newborns but can also occur in adults, especially following skin damage, such as burns or certain cosmetic procedures.

In contrast, keratosis generally refers to a thickening of the outer layer of the skin, which may present differently and not as small cysts. Comedones are blockages in hair follicles, commonly known as blackheads (open comedones) and whiteheads (closed comedones), which also differ from the appearance and nature of milia. Folliculitis involves the inflammation of hair follicles and can cause red or pus-filled bumps rather than the small white cysts characteristic of milia. Thus, milia is specifically recognized for creating the distinct small, white cysts on the skin.