Have you ever noticed small balls appearing on your skin, especially after layering cosmetic products? This is a phenomenon that occurs quite commonly: it's called pilling. Discover below the potential reasons why your products may pill and our advice on how to avoid this phenomenon.
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Why do some skincare products cause peeling?
Summary
- What explains why a skin care product pills upon application?
- How to prevent the formation of skin pilling?
Published April 25, 2024,
by
Stéphanie, Doctorate in Life and Health Sciences
—
4 min read
What explains why a skin care product pills upon application?
Similar to flaky skin, pilling is characterised by the formation of small clumps of product on the skin's surface, whether immediately after application or several hours later when you touch your skin. While there is no well-defined cause for this phenomenon, here are some factors that may indicate skin pilling.
Non-adherence to the order of product application. If you apply a moisturising cream before a facial serum, the latter may remain on the skin. Indeed, when applied incorrectly, the cream can limit or even prevent the serum from penetrating the skin, subsequently causing small granules under the fingers during application.
Use of specific ingredients in products. High molecular weight hyaluronic acid, biopolymers, xanthan gum (thickener), acrylates, talc, iron oxide, mineral sunscreens... certain particular ingredients can cause pilling at high concentrations. They tend to create a film on the skin's surface which promotes the formation of small granules when another product is applied.
Skin not adequately cleansed or exfoliated.Or exfoliated. Pilling can occur when the skin has not been properly cleansed or exfoliated. Indeed, dead cells and impurities that accumulate on the skin can make the absorption of skincare products more difficult and also mix with the products leading to the formation of lumps.
Skin Characteristics. Your individual skin type may be a fluff factor, although no justification explains this issue.
Although it may resemble skin peeling, pilling is not the same as desquamation, which refers to the small flakes of dead skin that spontaneously detach from the epidermis. It is not a skin reaction, especially if no other clinical signs have appeared (redness, tightness, irritation, etc.).
How to prevent the formation of skin pilling?
If you frequently encounter pilling, here are some tips that could potentially help you reduce the risk of inducing the formation of fluff.
Moisturising the skin. If you often experience flaking, lightly mist your skin with a spray before applying your product, and then between each layer. On damp skin, the application of products will be easier and thus help to reduce the formation of small flakes on the skin.
Applying skincare products in the correct order. Whether it's your morning or evening routine, you should apply your skincare products based on their texture, from the lightest and most fluid to the thickest. Indeed, more fluid products cannot penetrate through thicker ones.
Cleanse and exfoliate your skin regularly. Ensure you wash your skin every day with a gentle cleanser suitable for removing excess sebum, dirt and all other impurities. Similarly, exfoliate your skin once or twice a week to remove dead cells and thus ensure better absorption of skincare products, thereby minimising the risk of flaking.
Avoid excessive "massaging", ensure products are absorbed. The way you apply the products is also important in reducing the risk of pilling. When applying skincare, avoid overly "working" the products after each layering, as friction can promote their occurrence.
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