Why does The Ordinary Niacinamide pill?

What is actually rolling off?

Pilling is product gathering into small balls on the skin's surface rather than absorbing smoothly. Those rolls are not your skin peeling off, although the serum has chosen a remarkably unhelpful way to leave. Too much serum leaves excess material behind, while applying an oil before a water based serum can leave layers sitting on one another. Some combinations simply clump together. Dead skin cells can also mix with products during application, but pilling alone does not tell you which cause is responsible.1

How do you stop it pilling?

1. 1Wash your face with a gentle cleanser and gently pat dry. Start with clean skin rather than layering over leftover products.
2. 2Apply a small amount of Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%. The Ordinary generally suggests 2 to 3 drops of serum for the entire face and neck, not a separate dropperful for each area.
3. 3Put the serum before oils and creams. If you use another water based serum, apply whichever addresses your main concern first.
4. 4Give each layer time to absorb before adding the next. As general layering guidance, leave at least 60 seconds between products rather than immediately covering a wet layer.
5. 5Spread products gently without repeatedly rubbing in circles or back and forth. Those rubbing methods are associated with more pilling in skincare layering.
6. 6Follow with moisturizer, then sunscreen in the morning, and makeup afterwards if you wear it. Keep sunscreen after the rest of your skincare.

What if it only pills under sunscreen or makeup?

The later product matters too. Sunscreen and foundation can form surface films that break up with rubbing during subsequent application. Pilling that appears after sunscreen does not automatically make the serum the culprit; the first bottle in the routine is not obliged to take the blame for the entire meeting. As general troubleshooting, note when the rolls first appear and compare the combination, not just the serum. Introduce one new product at a time so a troublesome pairing is easier to identify. If two products keep pilling together, use them in separate routines rather than repeatedly stacking them.14

Does pilling mean you need to exfoliate?

Not necessarily. Skin hydration and application technique also affect pilling: drier skin was associated with pilling in sunscreen and foundation layering. Start by checking cleansing, amounts, order and rubbing rather than adding another product immediately. A longer routine creates more combinations to troubleshoot, which is an impressive amount of administration for a few bottles. Using too many products can also irritate skin, especially when several target signs of aging.234

What if your skin is also red or itchy?

Redness, itching or swelling calls for a different response from product rolling off. Gently wash the product off and stop using it. A cool compress or petroleum jelly can help relieve the reaction; see a dermatologist if the reaction is severe and these measures do not help. Before introducing a new product, test your usual amount on a small spot on the underside of your arm or elbow twice daily for seven to 10 days. Leave it on as you normally would, and check for redness, itching or swelling before using it more widely.5