{"id":1236380,"date":"2025-12-24T12:24:04","date_gmt":"2025-12-24T09:24:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1236380"},"modified":"2025-12-24T12:24:04","modified_gmt":"2025-12-24T09:24:04","slug":"8-reasons-your-makeup-is-pilling-and-what-you-can-do-about-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1236380","title":{"rendered":"8 Reasons Your Makeup Is Pilling\u2014And What You Can Do About It"},"content":{"rendered":"
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If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.\n<\/p>\n

8 Reasons Your Makeup Is Pilling\u2014And What You Can Do About It<\/h1>\n

Stop it before it starts.<\/p>\n

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By<\/span><\/p>\n
Dani Hardman<\/p>\n
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\"Danielle\"Danielle<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\nDani Hardman\n<\/div>\n
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    \nDani is New York-based beauty writer and editor. Her work has been featured in Allure, Elle, InStyle, Well + Good, and more.\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
    \nByrdie’s Editorial Guidelines\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
    Published on July 20, 2025 06:15AM<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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    \"A\"A<\/div>\n<\/div>
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    @sofiatilbury\/Instagram<\/p>\n

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    Key Takeaways<\/p>\n

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    • Makeup can pill for a few different reasons\u2014skincare build-up and residue, skin in need of exfoliation, product not absorbing correctly, or too much layering.<\/li>\n
    • Once makeup has started to pill, you can’t remedy it right away, but you can prevent it in the first place.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

      We’ve all been there before: You’re racing the clock to get to work after hitting the snooze button one time too many. You layer your serums\u2014not your favorites, just whatever’s within arm’s reach\u2014at lightning speed, scoop out a big dollop of the night cream you forgot to put away before bed, and rub on SPF like your life depends on it.\n<\/p>\n

      As you blend in your foundation, you’re overcome with dread. Was that…? Oh no.<\/em> Before your very eyes, your last five minutes of work begin to peel off your face in dreaded tiny balls. You swipe a quick finger across your jawline to be sure, but there’s no denying it: For some ungodly reason, your makeup is pilling. Do you abandon ship and start over, or try to salvage what’s left of your work?\n<\/p>\n

      Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do to fix pilling once it’s already occurred. Instead, it’s important to consider why you’re pilling and how to prevent it from happening in the first place. We went straight to the experts to find out how to do just that\u2014read on for everything you need to know.<\/p>\n

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      Meet the Experts<\/p>\n

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      • Sofia Tilbury is a celebrity makeup artist.<\/li>\n
      • Ranella Hirsch, MD is a board-certified dermatologist in Boston, MA.<\/li>\n
      • Aya Tariq is a professional makeup artist.<\/li>\n
      • Troy Surratt is a professional makeup artist.<\/li>\n
      • Rea Ann Silva is the founder of Beautyblender and a professional makeup artist.<\/li>\n
      • Dillon Pena is a celebrity makeup artist.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

        How to Fix Pilling <\/span><\/h2>\n

        So, what exactly can you do to fix pilling makeup in the moment? Unfortunately, there’s not a whole lot… other than starting your whole routine over again.\n<\/p>\n

        “It’s incredibly frustrating and challenging to fix makeup if it starts to pill,” says celebrity makeup artist Sofia Tilbury. “The best you can do is gently brush the excess product away with a large, fluffy brush, spritz a hydrating, reviving mist over your skin to rehydrate and dampen the area, then go in with your foundation or concealer in very light layers, making an effort to pat rather than rub, to smooth and perfect without further disrupting your base.”\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

        While there’s a chance you can salvage your look with Tilbury’s technique, dermatologist Ranella Hirsch, MD, and pro makeup artists Aya Tariq and Troy Surratt all agree that this is one of those situations that is far easier to prevent than treat. They recommend removing your makeup and doing it again.\n<\/p>\n

        With that, our experts all say it’s more important to understand why<\/em> makeup pills (and how to keep it from pilling altogether).\n<\/p>\n

        Why Your Makeup is Pilling <\/span><\/h2>\n

        While pilling is pretty obvious when it occurs, the root cause can be tough to pin down. There are a slew of factors that lead to pilling, many of which can exacerbate one another and further complicate the issue. Still, a few potential pitfalls most likely to be the culprit.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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        01<\/span>of 08<\/span><\/div>\n
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        You’ve Got Build-Up <\/span><\/h2>\n

        Whether it’s layers of dead skin cells or remnants of previous products (perhaps you wore an extra-thick hydrating mask to bed last night or did a less-than-stellar job fully removing the previous day’s makeup), any built-up residue is bound to compromise your look and increase the chances of pilling. According to Tilbury, it can also prevent those pre-makeup layers of hydrating serums and creams from properly soaking into the skin, which will ultimately emphasize texture and dry patches.\n<\/p>\n

        To be sure you’re starting with a clean, smooth base, Tariq suggests double cleansing before makeup with a balm cleanser and traditional face wash. She’s quick to point out that if you use a balm or oil cleanser pre-makeup, you must<\/em> follow up with a face wash. Otherwise, it may leave a thin film or residue on the face. For the second cleanse, Tariq recommends using some sort of exfoliating cleanser to kill two birds with one stone (proverbially, of course).\n<\/p>\n

        Tilbury suggests exfoliating once a week with a nonirritating acid resurfacer and incorporating a daily essence or toner to keep skin looking\u2014and feeling\u2014fresh, smooth, and ready for your routine.\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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        02<\/span>of 08<\/span><\/div>\n
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        You Aren’t Letting Your Skincare Sink In <\/span><\/h2>\n

        “The way you should think of applying makeup is like layering frosting on a cake,” Beautyblender founder and professional makeup artist Rea Ann Silva explains. “If your cake is open, dry, and willing to absorb the frosting you put on top of it, you won’t experience pilling.” In other words, your skincare needs the time to fully set before you apply makeup, the same way a cake needs to cool down before you apply frosting.\n<\/p>\n

        According to celebrity makeup artist Dillon Pena, when skincare isn’t given the time to fully absorb, it tends to stack up and create a film-like residue that sits on top of, rather than sinking into, the skin. When foundation or concealer is layered on top of that, it will likely coagulate into tiny beads of rolled-up product that lift off the skin during the blending process.\n<\/p>\n

        This can largely be solved by slowing down your application process and giving your skin enough time to fully absorb the products, Dr. Hirsch explains.\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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        03<\/span>of 08<\/span><\/div>\n
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        Give Your Sunscreen Time To Absorb & Dry <\/span><\/h2>\n

        Using sunscreen on your face everyday is incredibly important to prevent skin cancer, sun damage, and premature aging. But it’s also particularly important to give your sunscreen adequate time to absorb into the skin. Tilbury explains, “Some SPFs need a little time to dry down and form a layer on the skin.” Otherwise, she says, they interact with makeup formulas and pill up. “Allowing every layer of skincare to properly settle, especially your sunscreen, can help significantly reduce the chance of pilling.”\n<\/p>\n

        She also suggests opting for lightweight, hydrating SPF formulas, particularly those meant to layer under makeup. When you use a sunscreen-primer hybrid, you can skip the traditional primer step, further reducing the chances of pilling (more on that later).\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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        04<\/span>of 08<\/span><\/div>\n
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        Your Skincare Routine Needs Some Order (Literally) <\/span><\/h2>\n

        Giving yourself some time in between each layer of skincare will only work if you’re applying those layers in the correct order: Water-based products like serums and toners first, followed by your oil-based eye creams and moisturizers. As a general rule of thumb, to decrease the chances of pilling, skincare products should be applied from lightest to thickest consistency.\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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        05<\/span>of 08<\/span><\/div>\n
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        You’re Using Too Many Skincare Products <\/span><\/h2>\n

        Alright, so you’ve exfoliated, given your skin adequate time to absorb each step, and confirmed you’re applying your skincare products in the correct order, but you’re still<\/em> dealing with pilling. What gives? In this case, it’s time to consider how many products you’re using.\n<\/p>\n

        As Dr. Hirsch explains, piling too many products on top of one another only increases the likelihood of pilling. Layering product over product can make things slippery and unable to fully sink into the skin. This is especially true when it comes to heavier oil- and silicone-based products, which can ultimately start to repel each other and cause makeup layered on top to roll off, Silva explains.<\/p>\n

        To avoid the dreaded tiny balls of doom, Pena suggests paring down your routine\u2014perhaps you can limit that thick, peptide-filled serum to nighttime use only. You can also swap out a few steps for a hybrid product, like a sunscreen and moisturizer in one.\n<\/p>\n

        You can also try reducing the amount<\/em> of each product used. As Tilbury explains, working in lighter layers allows you to slowly build to your desired outcome. This will also help you identify if there’s a single product causing the problem and make it easier to decide how and when you want to incorporate a given product into your routine.\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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        06<\/span>of 08<\/span><\/div>\n
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        Your Products Are Incompatible <\/span><\/h2>\n

        If none of the above causes seem to fit your particular case of pilling, there’s a good chance you’re using products that aren’t compatible. According to Dr. Hirsch, layering products that don’t play nicely is one of the most common causes of pilling. After all, some ingredients just don’t interact well with others.\n<\/p>\n

        “I find that most often, [pilling] seems to happen when makeup is layered over several serums or gel-type products,” Surratt shares. “Many of these types of formulas tend to leave a thin film on the skin that often dramatically enhances the overall texture and appearance, but may not ‘play nicely in the sandbox’ with other cosmetic products when layered, resulting in grains of balled product around the eyes or on the face.”\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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        07<\/span>of 08<\/span><\/div>\n
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        Skip (Or Cut Down) On Silicones <\/span><\/h2>\n

        According to Silva, it’s also important to consider how many silicone-based skincare products you use and the order in which you use them. More specifically, she says that layering silicone on top of itself\u2014or applying several silicone-based products in close succession\u2014prevents the skin from fully absorbing the moisture coming through. This causes the silicone to build up on the skin, likely leading to pilling.\n<\/p>\n

        Identifying silicone-based products is a bit more involved than figuring out which products are water- or oil-based, but it’s still fairly simple. Silicone-based products usually contain ingredients ending in -cone, -siloxane, or -methicone within the first two to three ingredients listed. It’s important to note that the first ingredient will likely still be water\u2014but if one of the first several ingredients has one of the above endings, the product is silicone-based, not<\/em> water-based.\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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        08<\/span>of 08<\/span><\/div>\n
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        Consider Using Products From The Same Line <\/span><\/h2>\n

        Using products that complement one another is a great way to avoid pilling, which is why Surratt suggests just sticking to one brand or range of products. Most often, they’ll be developed to work in tandem. “By sticking to one brand or range, you can save yourself a lot of the hassle and headache,” he says.\n<\/p>\n

        You’ll also want to consider product texture\u2014lightweight formulas sit under makeup far better than thick emollients and heavy layers\u2014and the foundation you’re using. Your prep steps should complement not only each other but also your makeup. A water-based foundation often works best with a water-based primer, while a silicone-based foundation works best with a silicone-based primer.\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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        The Final Takeaway <\/span><\/h2>\n

        Once you understand why makeup pills, it’s pretty easy to avoid the problem in the future. Starting with bare, cleansed skin goes a long way, as does regular exfoliation. Whether it’s an essence, moisturizer, or concealer, apply all products carefully, gently patting and blending each layer into the skin. Start with a small amount of product\u2014you can always add more later\u2014and really think about the ingredients you’re using and the order you’re using them. Opting for a pared-down routine with lightweight formulas will take you far, too.\n<\/p>\n

        Between each step, allow sufficient time for products to absorb and the skin to dry down before adding another layer. Aim for a few minutes of downtime between each product, saving the most time between sunscreen and your first layer of makeup.\n<\/p>\n

        In the end, you might not be able to save yourself once pilling begins\u2014but you can certainly prevent pilling from happening again.\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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        Read more:<\/div>\n
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        • Makeup<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n

          Source URL: https:\/\/www.byrdie.com\/how-to-prevent-makeup-pilling-11774381<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

          If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. 8 Reasons Your Makeup Is Pilling\u2014And What You Can Do About It Stop it before it starts. By Dani Hardman Dani Hardman Dani is New York-based beauty writer and editor. Her work has been featured in Allure, Elle, InStyle, Well + Good, and more. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[83],"class_list":["post-1236380","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-byrdie-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1236380","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1236380"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1236380\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1236380"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1236380"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1236380"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}