If you are a makeup enthusiast, then you know just how hard it can sometimes be when your skincare and makeup don’t mesh well. And it can be hard to tell what the problem is. Is it the skincare or is it the makeup?
Piling is an especially annoying issue to deal with. This happens when your makeup starts to come off in small clumps and it almost looks like dead skin peeling off but it’s likely your makeup or skincare causing the issue.
But, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you need to replace your makeup and/or skincare. Sometimes, it can be as simple as making sure you are properly layering your skincare and makeup.
What causes pilling
Pilling can be caused by a couple different factors:
Not allowing products to absorb
One reason could be that you aren’t waiting enough time between applying your skincare products and makeup. If you have super hydrating products in your skincare routine but you aren’t waiting long enough for the product to absorb and dry down, then this could cause pilling. Also using too many products can cause a similar issue. It’s best to wait 1 to 2 minutes (or until the product dries down on the skin) before applying the next product in your routine.
Dead skin build-up
Another issue could be excess dead skin cells sitting on the surface of the skin. Dead skin cells could mix with the products you are applying on your face and lead to pilling. In this case, you can try exfoliating one to three times a week to keep the skin smooth and create a good base for skincare and makeup application.
Not layering skincare correctly
Sometimes the order of your skincare may be the culprit. Typically, skincare should be applied from lightest to heaviest consistency. By applying lighter, water-based products like toners and serums before heavier, oil-based products you are letting each product adequately absorb so there isn’t any pilling once you apply sunscreen and/or makeup.
Over-using silicone products
While silicone products, like primers, help create a smooth base for makeup, overusing silicone products can also contribute to pilling. Since silicone-based primers don’t absorb into the skin but rather sit on top to create an even base, over-applying can cause the product to clump up and pill. So be sure to keep silicone-based products to a minimum to help prevent pilling.
How to best apply your skincare under makeup
To best prevent pilling when applying makeup after skincare, layering correctly is super important to ensure that your makeup will be undisturbed when applying.
AM skincare routine:
Step 1: Cleanser
Start by cleansing the skin to help remove any excess oil or dead skin cells to make sure you have a clean, fresh base for the rest of your skincare. This will help remove any potential pilling issues especially if you have congested skin.
Step 2: Toner
Apply your toner to help remove any lingering debris on the skin. If your skin is looking a little dull or is textured, try applying an exfoliating toner with ingredients like Salicylic Acid to help smooth the skin.
Step 3: Serums
If you use serums in your routine you’ll want to apply them before moisturizers to make sure they absorb well into the skin. Some serums can be pretty sticky in texture so it’s important to wait for them to dry down enough before moving onto the next step.
Step 4: Moisturizer/SPF
Once your serums have absorbed and your skin has dried down, apply your moisturizer and/or SPF moisturizer as the final step. You may also notice that some sunscreens can have a pilling problem but it’s not alway the sunscreen’s fault. Try applying in thin layers and allowing the product to dry down in between layers.
And, if you happen to have a couple more steps in your AM skincare routine that weren’t mentioned above then just keep in mind that water-based, light consistency products go before your heavier, oil-based products.
Lastly, before you move onto your makeup, make sure that all your skincare has dried down on the skin to help prevent pilling.
