Beauties, when you layer on creams, serums, or makeup, do your products tend to pill on your face? Personally, I love to cocktail my skin care, mixing and matching different formulas to customize a special regimen that targets all of my particular problems (brown spots, fine lines around the eyes, mild rosacea). But the downfall of this routine is that by the time I add on sunscreen and makeup in the morning, the makeup doesn't stick to my skin, and rubs off in little balls or flakes (and primer makes the problem even worse!). When I was back in New York City last week for The Makeup Show, I checked in with my dermatologist Dr. Macrene Alexiades-Armenakas and asked her why I was having this problem. "How much product are you using on your face?" she asked. "All you need is a pea-size amount for your whole face. If you're applying more than that, it won't absorb into your skin—that's why you're getting the pilling." So Beauties, it's fine to cocktail your skin care, just make sure not to apply too much product, or else you'll be wasting your money and have pilling problems when you apply your makeup on top.
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Apr 24, 2013
Chip G.
Hmmm ~ I recently tested Physician's Formula BB cream, and even the smallest amount pilled! I used a lesser amount than my usual Smashbox BB cream, but no matter how much - or little - I used, it always pilled. I wasn't unhappy with the finish at all, but determined it was a "defective" tube. I'm happy to read this article, though, to at least have an explanation of why products pill. Because I liked the finish and the color result, I'll give PF another try using a TINY amount to see if it makes a difference. I hope it does!
May 28, 2011
Jamillah H.
good article! this used to happen to me all the time before I wised up
May 28, 2011
Althea N.
This is so true! My derm says the rule of thumb is "if you can see it, you put on too much".
May 27, 2011
Romee H.
now i know why ^^, i always blame on silicon base...
May 26, 2011
Desaria C.
did you mean peeling when you wrote "pilling"? I too have that same problem especially with my acne creams. Good insight, thank you.
May 27, 2011
Christina T.
May 29, 2011
Yasmin K.
May 26, 2011
Jane A.
Like the many other beauties out there, I really like this article. I really thought it was because of my skin care "cocktail"! So this morning I put my CeraVe AM lotion with spf with one pump (about a pea size), then dabbed on the forhead, chin, and cheeks, then spread. I was surprise to see there was enough product for my whole face.
Usually I pump 3-4+ times, spread on my hands first, then my face. I would always think it was my cocktail that made me feel all "pilly" and stuff.
May 26, 2011
Diana G.
I have this problem occasionally and never knew why it would happen. Thanks for this article!! :)
May 26, 2011
Elyne S.
ooh it is a good advice - i always use like a huge dab from my moisturizer and other creams no wonder that they are always empty so fast !
May 26, 2011
Krystal C.
Great advice!! TY
May 26, 2011
Lisa S.
ive only once had this problem and it was with the Tarina Tarintino Pearl glow primer...I figured it was the products fault not mine haha. good article