ShadecubbyWhy is my foundation pilling? Silicone vs water-based makeup
Pilling is when your foundation, primer or skincare rolls up into little flakes or balls as you blend. It’s rarely the foundation’s fault alone. Usually it’s about what’s underneath and how fast you layer it.
Updated · 4 min read
The usual causes
- Base mismatches. Layering a water-based product over a silicone-based one, or the other way around, is the classic cause. The layers don’t blend into each other, so one slides and rolls the other up.
- Not enough drying time. Putting foundation over moisturizer or sunscreen that hasn’t set yet.
- Too much product. Heavy layers of skincare that haven’t absorbed.
- Rubbing. Buffing hard or going back over an area that has started to set.
How to tell silicone-based from water-based
Read the first few ingredients on the label.
- Silicone-based: a silicone near the top of the list. Look for names ending in -cone, -conol, -silane or -siloxane, such as dimethicone or cyclopentasiloxane. These often feel slippery and smooth.
- Water-based: water (aqua) first, with no silicones near the top. These usually feel lighter and more like a lotion.
A simple rule of thumb: water-based over water-based, silicone-based over silicone-based. If you do mix, let each layer set for a minute or two first.
How to stop pilling
- Use less skincare, and give it a few minutes to absorb.
- Match the base of your primer to your foundation.
- Press and pat foundation on instead of rubbing.
- If a sunscreen pills with everything, it’s often the sunscreen. Try a different one under the same foundation.
Shadecubby adds a note when two products you own may pill together, such as a silicone-based foundation and a water-based concealer.