Why Your Foundation and Moisturizer Pills, And How To Stop It

Have you ever applied your face makeup only to have to deal with your foundation balling up? This is called pilling and it occurs when products like moisturizer or foundation ball up as they’re being applied, resulting in flakes or globs of the formula on your skin. 

Pilling can happen in your skin care or makeup routines and it’s not fun, it’s not cute and no one wants to deal with it. If pilling products are getting in the way of your flawless makeup looks or skin care routine, it’s natural to wonder how you can put a stop to it. Keep reading to learn why your moisturizer and foundation ball up in the first place and our top tips for preventing pilling.

Why Does Your Foundation Keep Pilling?

In order to know how to handle pilling, you’ll need to identify the root of the problem. Typically, makeup and skin care pilling is caused when the formulas of the products you’re using are not compatible. 

Much like how water and oil repel each other, if you’re using an oil-based moisturizer and a water-based foundation — you’re likely to run into some problems. Piling can also occur when you layer products too quickly without giving them time to absorb. 

5 Ways to Prevent Pilling

Ready to say goodbye to pilling in your skin care and makeup routines? Keep reading to learn our top tips for putting pilling products to an end.

1. Put Adequate Time Beauty Product Application

As we mentioned, layering on products too quickly can cause your foundation and moisturizer to pill — so make sure to give your products enough time to work their magic. To ensure your skin has enough time to absorb your moisturizer (and SPF!), wait  15 to 30 minutes before you applying your makeup. Use this time to brush your teeth or indulge in some self-care. 

This little bit of time can make a world of a difference for your moisturizer’s absorption leading to better makeup application and no dreaded pilling. 

2. Choose Complementing 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 Age Perfect Skin Care Rosy Tone Fragrance Free Face Moisturizer, you’ll want to also use a water-based foundation, like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible 24 Hour Fresh Wear Foundation, Lightweight. This will prevent any ingredients from repelling one another, resulting in unwanted pilling.

Editor’s tip: If you like light coverage and natural foundation looks, reach for the water-based L’Oréal Paris Skin Paradise Water Infused Tinted Moisturizer. This oil-free formula is good for sensitive skin and ultra-lightweight for easy layering sans pilling. And since it’s a moisturizer with coverage, it combines both steps to offer the ultimate prevention of unwanted pilling.

3. Exfoliate Your Skin

Sometimes, your makeup and moisturizer pill because you have a buildup of dead skin cells — so if you notice that your go-to products are pilling, try exfoliating. Use a face scrub, like the L’Oréal Paris Pure Sugar Resurface & Energize Kona Coffee Scrub, to help smooth and even skin texture to create the perfect canvas for applying products sans pilling.

4. Don’t Apply Too Much Product

We all know the saying — “less is more,” and it definitely applies to pilling products. This is especially true when it comes to layering products with different textures so start with a little at a time. 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. The same advice applies to your foundation routine — start with less product and add more as needed.

5. Use a Damp Applicator

This tip is specifically meant to help with pilling foundation, but it can still play a role in how your foundation and moisturizer layer together. Rather than using a dry applicator or a brush and tugging against the skin, use a bit of lukewarm water to dampen a makeup sponge and bounce your foundation into the skin. A small amount of moisture flatters the skin and will help to layer your foundation for better absorption and less pilling.

Next: 4 Pro Tips to Make Your Makeup Look Smooth

Edited by: Reece Andavolgyi, Photo Credit: Chaunte Vaughn