7 Ways To Stop Skincare Pilling For a Smoother Beauty Routine

You’ve washed your face, slicked on serum, moisturizer, and SPF, and have moved on to applying your makeup—only to find your skincare pilling up on your face. Just the act of dabbing on your foundation can create texture and patchiness that can only be solved by starting the whole skincare and makeup application process over again. Those globs of skincare pilling up under your foundation are frustrating, time-consuming, and can make it feel like your skincare routine is working against you.

As it can get in the way of creating a flawless makeup look, you’re likely wondering exactly what causes pilling on the face. Here, we break down why moisturizer pills and our top tips for preventing face product pilling.

What Is Skincare Pilling?

Think of your favorite, well-worn sweater—it may have little bumps or “pills” of built-up fibers on areas that are exposed to a lot of friction, such as the sleeves, bust, or waist. These pills can be very obvious and create unwanted texture. Skin pilling is similar. Certain circumstances can cause pilling on your face after applying skincare products. The friction that comes with rubbing products into your skin can cause the formulas to ball up, creating chunks and bumps that shouldn’t be there. In many cases, skincare pilling is caused by products with richer and heavier textures, such as moisturizer, sunscreen, or foundation, but that’s not to say you shouldn’t use them. The key is using the right products—and knowing how to layer them properly.

Why Do Skincare and Makeup Products Pill?

In order to know how to handle skincare pilling, you’ll need to identify the root of the problem. First, take a look at your regimen. If you tend to be in a hurry when applying your skincare routine and layer on multiple formulas without giving them time to absorb, there’s a good chance that’s causing your skin pilling problem. When you layer products without giving each prior layer a chance to soak in, the formulas can build up on top of one other, creating those chunky globs of product buildup. Similarly, you may be applying too much of your favorite skincare products—even if you’re building time into your schedule to let each layer sink in, using the wrong amount of your skincare formulas can result in your face products pilling.

The types of formulas you use can also be to blame for skincare pilling. Oftentimes, makeup and skincare pilling is caused when the formulas of the products you’re using are not compatible. Much like how oil and water repel each other in a bottle of salad dressing, so too can a water-based moisturizer and an oil-based foundation—trying to mix the two can cause them to separate, with your skincare pilling up on your face and leaving you with an uneven foundation application.

7 Ways To Prevent Skincare Pilling

If you’re ready to make your skincare and makeup routines more seamless by getting rid of face product pilling, read on. These tips are easy to incorporate into your regimen and will help put skincare pilling in the past.

1. Start with clean skin

Traces of makeup, excess sebum, and residual night cream left behind from the evening before can cause skincare pilling in your morning routine. To make sure you’re starting with a clean slate, always begin your skincare regimen with a thorough cleanse. Kick off your morning routine with the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Derm Intensives 3.5% Glycolic Acid Cleanser, which removes impurities, oil, and makeup and leaves the skin looking smooth and bright.

2. Apply your skincare in the right order

While this may sound like common sense, you may actually be layering your skincare products incorrectly, especially if you have multiple serums in your routine. Always apply your products from lightest to heaviest, which will allow them to absorb properly and help prevent skincare pilling. For example, if you use a serum that’s water-like in texture as well as one that’s more substantial, apply the thinner product before moving on to the thicker one.

3. Give your skincare products time to absorb

As we mentioned, rushing through your skincare routine can cause face product pilling, so make sure to give your formulas enough time to work their magic. To ensure your skin fully absorbs your serums, moisturizer, and SPF, try to wait at least 15 minutes after putting on your skincare products and before applying your makeup. Use this time to brush your teeth, indulge in some self-care, or—if you’re getting ready for the day—make some breakfast and catch up on emails. While it may seem inconvenient to wait, this little bit of time can make a world of a difference in how well your skincare products (and makeup) apply.

Editor’s tip: If you’re in a rush, reach for multi-tasking formulas to help streamline your routine. We love the L’Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Enhancer, which hydrates and leaves behind a subtle tinted glow perfect for no-makeup makeup days.

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4. Choose complementary formulas

Another thing to keep in mind is that it is important to use formulas that have similar ingredients. For example, if you’re using a water-based moisturizer, like the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Derm Intensives Micro Hyaluronic Acid + Ceramides Line-Plumping Water Cream, you’ll want to pair it with a water-based primer and foundation. The complementary ingredients won’t repel each other the way oil and water might, and you’ll be at less risk of your skincare or foundation pilling.

5. Don’t apply too much product

The saying “less is more” definitely applies to beauty products; being judicious with your application can help prevent skincare pilling. This is especially true when it comes to layering products with different textures. When moisturizer balls up, this can be the result of applying too much product—you’d be surprised at how little product you need to achieve your desired results, so start with a small dab and add more as needed. The same advice applies to your foundation routine—start with less product, beginning at the center of your face (which is where most people tend to desire heavier coverage), and add more as you see fit. This can help prevent makeup pilling on your face and ensure a smoother, more even product application.

6. Exfoliate your skin

Sometimes, makeup and skincare pilling occurs because you have a buildup of dead skin cells on your face. Instead of sinking into your skin, your products can sit atop those dead cells, causing unwanted texture and skin pilling. The best way to counteract this is by regularly exfoliating.

There are a few different methods of exfoliation, but if you plan to exfoliate daily, we recommend using a mild chemical exfoliant. The L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Derm Intensives 5% Glycolic Acid Peeling Toner is a great option, even for those with sensitive skin. It helps remove dead skin cells while smoothing the skin to promote a glowy, healthy-looking complexion. Those who want a slightly more powerful dose of glycolic acid may want to try the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Derm Intensives 10% Pure Glycolic Acid Serum. It helps slough away the dead skin cells that can contribute to skincare pilling and helps minimize the appearance of dark spots, fine lines, and wrinkles over time. Just remember to always incorporate SPF into a routine that features an exfoliator, as removing those dead skin cells can make your skin more sensitive to the sun’s harmful UV rays.

If you’re not up for daily exfoliation, consider adding an at-home peel to your routine a few times per week. The L’Oréal Paris Bright Reveal Dark Spot Exfoliant Peel contains a powerful blend of AHAs, BHAs, and PHAs and helps renew skin tone and texture for brighter, smoother-looking skin. We suggest using it no more than four times per week (at night) for the best results.

7. Use a damp applicator

While this tip is specifically meant to help prevent foundation pilling, it can still play a role in how your foundation and moisturizer layer together. Swap out your dry foundation brush—which can tug on your skin, dragging the skincare formulas you’ve applied and cause face product pilling—for a damp makeup sponge. Simply saturate the sponge in lukewarm water, wring it out so it’s not sopping wet, and use it to bounce your foundation into your skin. A small amount of moisture makes for a smoother and more seamless application, helping to layer your foundation onto the skin evenly and preventing skin pilling.

Next Up: How To Exfoliate Properly For Smoother, Brighter Skin

Photo courtesy of L’Oréal Paris