Why does the cream roll up on my face?

What is “rolling”?

Instead of being absorbed into the skin, the cream rolled up . Because of this, instead of a uniform coating, you have small rollers on your face that block your way to a perfect look and to any potential makeup application.

This is a very common phenomenon and does not necessarily mean the quality of the product. This happens when the cosmetic does not absorb, but rather clumps on the skin's surface.

What causes cosmetics to roll?

The reasons may be different, I will briefly present the most popular ones:

The basics, i.e. product expiration date and storage

At the beginning of the investigation (which is supposed to suggest a solution to the rolling problem), it is worth checking two clues: the product's expiration date and its shelf life after opening the package (this is indicated by the symbol of an open, round box with the maximum number of months an open product can be stored).

You can also consider whether the cosmetic has always been stored correctly – whether it was not with us on a hot holiday or did not freeze, for example during delivery. Such a cream should be thrown away. In the best case, the active ingredients have lost their properties, in the worst case – you are exposing yourself to allergic reactions and skin irritation.

You can learn more about the basics of care from the text: Milk, foam, gel… What to choose for washing your face .

Haste

When you are in a hurry, your skin is certainly not happy. Each stage of your skincare routine needs time for itself if it is to properly prepare your skin for the next product. If we do not allow the next layers to absorb well, they will rub off during application.

Remember: the same cosmetic can be absorbed at different rates in different people. Each of us must check this by trial and error.

That's why it's so important to dedicate enough time to skincare . It's better to get up a few minutes earlier and, for example, brush your teeth between applying serum and face cream. This way, you can be sure that your skin will benefit from both products and not make a frustrating crumble out of them.

If you apply cosmetics in layers and rub your skin vigorously when applying the next one, you can rub off the previously applied product. This is why patting is better than rubbing!

Care "in abundance"

The rule of “more is better” won’t work in this case, even if your cream jar is stuffed to the brim with super ingredients. Care products, especially rich ones, should be used in moderation so that the skin can absorb them without any problems.

If you happen to overdo it, you can always try to remove the excess with a tissue. Remember, however, not to rub your face, but only to squeeze out the excess by placing the tissue on your skin and holding it there for a moment.

If you plan on wearing makeup, consider using a light moisturizer.

Improperly applied cosmetics can also roll in places where there is more of them!

Psst! If you're wondering if smog can affect your skin, hop over here and find out.

Not everything likes everyone else

Some cosmetics simply don't work well together (especially if one of them contains silicone, which very often causes other products to curdle).

Wrong order

If you notice that your cream is rolling when you apply it, first take a few steps back and make sure that you haven't mixed up the order in which you're applying the products. Water-based products take precedence, while oil-based products always end the routine.

You can read about the correct order of applying cosmetics here .

Maybe it's time to exfoliate?

Sometimes the cream rolling may be caused by the accumulation of calloused epidermis on the skin .

If you have eliminated other possible causes of cream rolling, consider introducing gentle exfoliation methods (for example, cosmetics containing retinol/retinal, AHA acids (such as lactic acid) or BHA acids (such as salicylic acid). You can also try gentle mechanical exfoliation (including using an appropriate sponge or brush).

Be careful! Exfoliation that is too frequent and intense can damage the lipid barrier and cause cosmetics to roll even more. Before starting home exfoliation, consult a dermatologist if you are using dermatological medications or have a skin condition!

That's all for possible reasons for face cream rolling or smudging. If you've ruled out every single one of these points and the problem persists, you may have a product that's not right for your skin. Consider consulting a dermatologist who can help you choose the right care.