WHY SPF "PILLS" ON APPLICATION TO THE FACE

WHY SPF “PILLS” ON APPLICATION TO THE FACE

– Why can sunscreen pill?

Sunscreen potentially pills due to age or consistent heating or cooling. It my also pill when its formulation contains talc, mica, or iron oxide and silicones.

– Can certain moisturizers/make-up cause SPF to pill on the face?

Yes, especially when you combine products that are incompatible. It also happens when you layer products without allowing enough time for absorption.

– How does skin type affect sunscreen pilling on the face? Oily vs dry, for example.

People with dry skin are more prone to pilling, more so with more layering. Those with oily skin pilling mainly occurs when they use creamy or uber-rich sunscreens.

– What can you do to avoid sunscreen pilling on the face?

  • Consider checking the expiration date.
  • Avoid mixing water-based and silicone ingredients.
  • Overlook products with homosalate and dimethicone.

– Are certain SPF formulas less likely to pill than others?

Definitely yes. Some formulations may be more susceptible to pilling than others, such as silicon-based sunscreens.

Barbara Santini

Barbara is a freelance writer and a sex and relationships adviser at Dimepiece LA and Peaches and Screams. Barbara is involved in various educational initiatives aimed at making sex advice more accessible to everyone and breaking stigmas around sex across various cultural communities. In her spare time, Barbara enjoys trawling through vintage markets in Brick Lane, exploring new places, painting and reading.

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