A skincare routine consists of several products, such as moisturizers, serums, eye creams, and SPF. These help refine your skin but can sometimes cause pilling the formation of small granules after skincare layering. These tiny balls can disrupt a smooth skincare finish.
Everyone deals with skincare pilling, and it can be frustrating sometimes. It’s a sign that your skincare routine is not good enough or that you are (might be) not applying the products correctly. However, pilling can be stopped or prevented with simple measures.
This blog post explains why skincare pilling occurs and how you can prevent it to get smooth, shiny skin all day, all seasons.
What Is Skincare Piling?
“Skin pilling happens when a product, like a moisturizer or serum, doesn’t get absorbed into your skin. Instead, it forms small particles on the surface that can stick or rub off onto your fingers.” Dr. Derrick Phillips, a consultant dermatologist, says that when this occurs, you may not get the full benefits of the products.
Pilling usually happens when you apply multiple products on your skin, such as moisturizer and sunscreen, or sunscreen and primer. The ingredients in these products can react with each other and cause them to bind together. Thus, a clumpy texture is formed on your skin which reduces product efficiency.
Once the skincare products break down or clump, the skin cannot absorb the beneficial ingredients in the formula. If absorption occurs, it’s uneven. This uneven absorption can result in less protection and increased risk of sun damage.
Peeling vs Pilling
Peeling is when the skin sheds or peels away visibly. It occurs when you use exfoliating products like retinol and AHA. This shedding can also happen if your skin barrier is disrupted.
Skin pilling and skin peeling may cause confusion as they sound alike. Skincare pilling may, sometimes, appear similar to flaky, peeling dead skin.
To understand if your skin is shedding or piling up, take a close look at your clean skin or gently rub it. If you see flakiness, it’s likely your skin is peeling. This means you need to reduce the strong products in your skincare routine.
What Causes Skincare Pilling?
Skincare pilling occurs when skincare products don’t mix well because they have different formulas. This usually happens when the layers do not blend properly. Ideally, skincare products should not interfere with each other when applied correctly.
Emulsions are mixtures of oil-like stuff, such as oils, silicones, and plant butter, with water-based things like water and plant extracts. Normally, oil and water don’t mix well, but emulsions help them mix with the help of an emulsifier. Many skincare products, such as lotion, creams, and serums, are also emulsions.
For example, If you mix mayo or a creamy sauce, you create an emulsion. Now, if the mixture separates into oils and liquid, it is called an emulsion break. Skincare pilling occurs when the emulsion in your skincare product breaks down.
Skincare pilling involves two kinds of emulsions:
- Oil-in-water
- Water-in-oil
Oil-in-water emulsions have tiny oil droplets in water, with more water than oil. They’re known as “water-based” products and typically have a watery texture like serums and lotions. Water-in-oil emulsions have water droplets mixed in an oily substance. Thick creams, ointments, foundations, and sunscreens are all “oil-based’ emulsions.
Pilling occurs when you mix oil-based and water-based products. Instead of blending well, the oil and water bases in various cosmetic layers react with each other and get separated. This separation can also occur when the products contain film formers or silicones. When the emulsion of these ingredients is disrupted, they may clump together or bind to one another.
There are other factors that contribute to skincare pilling. For example, if your skincare routine involves thick layers of certain products, it can cause pilling.
Who Is More Prone To Skincare Pilling?
Skin pilling can happen to anyone, but it’s more common in people with dry, flaky skin. If you have dry skin and haven’t exfoliated it, you are more likely to experience pilling. People with oily skin often experience skin pilling when they use thick and creamy products. These products may be too rich or heavy for their oily skin.
While many skincare ingredients can cause pilling, silicone (also known as dimethicone) is a common ingredient. Because silicone doesn’t fully absorb into the skin, it can contribute to the pilling issue.
If you use foundations and moisturizers with silicone, try silicone-free products. Certain mineral-based makeup items can be the reason for skin pilling as well.
You can also change skincare products based on your skin type. Read more on: Are Korean Skincare Products Better For Asians?
How to Stop Skincare from Pilling?
The best way to prevent skincare from pilling is by avoiding common mistakes that cause it. Here are some important tips to keep in mind:
Exfoliate Regularly
Although dead skin buildup doesn’t cause pilling, it can cause products to clump on the skin. This buildup can lead skincare products to remain on the surface of your skin rather than being absorbed. Regular exfoliation helps prevent skin hardness and roughness.
Use Less Products
Too many skincare products also cause pilling. It can occur when you layer multiple skincare products and makeup on your skin. Use fewer products that suit your skin. It’s a good idea to apply just a small amount of facial serum and moisturizer. As a general rule, a few drops of serum and a small coin-sized amount of moisturizer are good enough.
Avoid Skin Rubbing
When you touch and rub your skin too much, it can mess up the products and cause them to roll off your skin. Gently pat or press the products onto your skin instead of rubbing them harshly. This helps the products seep into your skin.
Apply Thin Layers
You don’t have to apply a lot of skincare products. The best way is to use just the right amount so that toners and serums absorb well, and moisturizers keep your skin moisturized and plump. A product that forms a film on the skin may not work well if there is a thick layer of water-based product underneath. This can cause the products to interact in a way that disrupts their effectiveness.
In case of sunscreen, use about a ¼ teaspoon on your face and neck. Make sure any products you use before sunscreen are fully absorbed by your skin for maximum effectiveness.
Use Lightweight Products
If you are dealing with skin pilling despite using the products in the right order, check if your makeup and skincare products have formulas that are too heavy for your skin. Certain dense formulas can be difficult to absorb into the skin and rest on the surface.
Lighter products are easier for the skin to absorb. These reduce the likelihood of pilling and help your skin stay smooth.
Conclusion
Skincare pilling can happen when you mix skincare products or don’t give them enough time to absorb properly. It’s okay to use both water-based and oil-based products in your routine, but apply them thinly and wait for the water-based products to absorb before adding more. This helps prevent pilling for your effective skincare routine.
If your skincare routine is too long with a lot of steps, there’s a higher chance your skincare products may not work well together. It’s better to have just a few steps in your morning or night routine. This way, you can achieve radiant and smooth skin without having to worry about pilling.
FAQs
How to stop skincare from pilling?
It’s better to allow some time for each layer of skin product to dry properly. For example, you can apply serum, then make a cup of tea, followed by moisturizer and brushing your teeth. This simple step can greatly reduce pilling. It’s recommended to wait 5-10 minutes for all your skincare products to dry before applying SPF or makeup.
Does pilling mean skincare isn’t working?
Skin pilling can be a clear indicator that something isn’t right. However, you can take preventive measures such as reading product ingredients, regular exfoliation, and suitable SPF.
Can too much moisturizer cause pilling?
Moisturizer can cause pilling but it’s not the only factor. The type of ingredients in the product also plays a role. Certain ingredients are more likely to cause pilling than others such as silicons.
