Do you ever look at your skin and notice little bumps or rough patches that seem to appear out of nowhere? You might be experiencing skin pilling – a common skin problem that can be frustrating to deal with. The good news is, there are practical tips you can follow to prevent skin pilling and keep it looking smooth and healthy. ‘
In this article, we’ll share five practical tips to help you avoid pilling and keep your skin looking its best. Get ready to say goodbye to those pesky skin bumps and hello to a more confident you!
What is Skin Pilling?
Skin pilling, also known as keratosis pilaris, is a common skin condition that results in small, rough bumps on the skin, often resembling goosebumps or chicken skin. These bumps are typically found on the arms, thighs, or cheeks, and can be accompanied by redness or inflammation. Skin pilling occurs when dead skin cells clog hair follicles, leading to the formation of small, rough bumps. While it’s not harmful or contagious, skin pilling can be unsightly and can cause self-consciousness in some individuals.
How Does Skin Pilling Occur?
Skin pilling occurs when excess keratin, a protein that protects the skin from infections and other harmful substances, builds up in the hair follicles. This buildup causes a plug to form, which then leads to the formation of small, rough bumps on the skin’s surface.
While the exact cause of skin pilling is not fully understood, it is believed to be related to a genetic tendency for excess keratin production. Other factors that can contribute to skin pilling include dry skin, hormonal changes, and certain medical conditions like eczema.
Skin pilling is a harmless condition and does not require treatment, but for those who are self-conscious about their appearance, there are various ways to manage it. These may include using moisturizers to keep the skin hydrated, exfoliating to remove dead skin cells, and using topical treatments like alpha-hydroxy acids or retinoids to promote skin cell turnover. In severe cases, a dermatologist may prescribe oral medications or light therapy to manage the symptoms of skin pilling.
What are the Causes of Pilling?
The condition of your skin might have an impact on pilling. You need to take extra care while treating your skin. But before getting into how to prevent skin pilling, let us understand know about the predominant causes of pilling. Here are some of the reasons behind pilling:
- Not Exfoliating Enough
Exfoliation is the first and perhaps the most important step of any skincare. If you are not doing it properly, then you are only inviting trouble for your skin. Not exfoliating your skin leads to the build-up of dead, dry skin cells.
As a result, it stops the skincare products to sink in and get absorbed by the skin. This leads to the pilling up of the ingredients and gives you a dishevelled look.
- Unsure About the Ingredients
Sometimes we are not even very sure about what works and what does not for our skin. Thanks to commercial ads, it is often that we end up buying products even without checking if they would harm our skin.
To avoid pilling, try out different ingredients, adopt the ones that improve your skin and reject the products that do you no good. Once you are sure about your skin-friendly ingredients, stick to them and make sure they are a part of your regular skincare regime.
- Derailed from the Proper Skincare Order
When it comes to taking care of your skin, the proper ordering of skincare items is very important. When you start with oil-based items and then move on to water-based ones, your skin will likely become more prone to pilling.
Also, mixing up ingredients of different textures can cause pilling too. You might have heard that oil and water do not get along very well. So, take extra care and try to separate oil-based cosmetics from water-based ones.
- Rubbing Instead of Patting
Good skincare products are manufactured to work on their own. If you need to rub violently to get that moisturiser or oil absorbed into your skin, then, you might not be using the best product or the most suitable products tailored to your needs. When you rub your skin hard, it creates friction and the products ball up consequently.
- Racing against Time
One of the primary reasons for pilling is rushing through your skincare regime. When you apply one product just after another, you do not give enough time for any of the products to work effectively. The result is a combination of unabsorbed skincare products balling or pilling up against one another, bringing about a total skin catastrophe!
How to Prevent Skin Pilling?
Pilling is a frustrating process. You obviously do not wish to get your look spoiled for pilling. The good news is you can prevent skin pilling just by taking a few steps:
- Exfoliate Your Skin
One of the key ways to avoid skin pilling is to exfoliate regularly. When you exfoliate twice a week, the dead cells get eliminated, leaving your skin fresh and rejuvenated. An effective exfoliation routine will help your skin to absorb products in a better way.
Keeping in tune with your skin type, you can choose between a chemical skin exfoliator or a mechanical exfoliator. But remember not to overdo it. Too much exfoliation can also lead to pilling.
- Check your Skin Items
Get to know your skincare products better. What works for oily or combination skin might not work out well for dry skin care. So, understand your skin type and have a closer look at your make-up ingredients.
While silicones are typically infamous for pilling, gel-based products generally take a long time to get totally absorbed. So, it is better to stay from such products. Talc, Iron Oxide, and Fluorphlogopite are other problematic ingredients that might negatively impact your skin when used regularly.
- Know About Product Layering
Knowing the right order of layering your skincare products is a great way to escape pilling. A general rule suggests, starting with a water-based product and then moving on to oil-based ones. Once your skin absorbs the water-based products, the oil-based products will help in keeping the moisture locked in.
Face mist can also be of much help. You can sprinkle some face mist before applying any product to your skin. Or you can use it in between layers. It will help to keep the skin hydrated.
- Better Pat than Rub
Rubbing is the last thing that you can do to ruin your skincare. While applying any product on your skin, pat gently. Let the product get absorbed onto your skin naturally and not by force. Apply your skincare products as dots throughout your face and then simply pat them. This will minimise friction on your skin.
You can also use a make-up sponge. It is a great tool to spread skincare products evenly on the skin.
- Be Patient in Between Layers
Choose your skincare products with adequate knowledge and then, plan their application accordingly. Dumping up products one after another will only lead to the pilling and balling up of the ingredients. Try and wait at least a minute in between your skincare steps.
After applying a product, let it sink in into your skin and get absorbed completely. After a minute or two, when the skin is ready, move on to the next step. This will not only prevent skin pilling but also allow the product to work to its full potential.
Conclusion
As much as oily skin is a cause of concern, dry skin can bring about skin pilling. So, it is always better to treat your skin beforehand in order to prevent skin pilling. More prone to peeling and pilling, taking care of dry skin is highly essential. For this, you can easily incorporate appropriate cleansers, moisturisers, serums, and creams into your dry skincare regimen. Applying glycerine and rose water can be a great way in keeping your skin hydrated.
FAQs
- How do I stop my skin from piling?
Exfoliate regularly with a gentle scrub or chemical exfoliant to remove dead skin cells and moisturize daily to keep your skin hydrated and healthy.
- How do you deal with Pilling skincare?
One way to deal with pilling skincare is to apply products in thin layers and give each layer enough time to absorb into the skin before applying the next one. Alternatively, try switching to lighter formulations or using a different combination of products.
- Does hyaluronic acid cause pilling?
Hyaluronic acid can cause pilling if too much product is applied or if it is layered on top of other products that do not absorb well. However, using a small amount and allowing it to fully absorb before applying other products can prevent skin pilling.
