There is nothing worse than completing a painstaking 10 or even 14 step skincare routine only to be left with a gross sticky feeling face. I fully embraced the wildly popular complex Korean skincare routines that raged through the skincare community like wildfire a few years back. I felt a sense of pride when my skin looked like a frosted doughnut at the end of the night, but this sticky feeling can mean that your skincare is not working as well as you think it is!
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The Main Causes of Sticky Feeling Skincare
There are a few potential culprits when it comes to sticky skincare situations:
- When too much product is applied it can’t fully absorb into the skin and will form a sticky layer.
- If you don’t allow previous products to fully absorb before applying the next step this can result in a layer stuck on the top of the skin.
- The products you are using may be too rich for your skin type and can’t fully absorb!
- Expired skincare products can develop abnormal textures that will feel tacky on the skin.
Are Face Serums Supposed to Feel Sticky?
Facial serums can feel sticky for a number of reasons. Formulas containing dimethicone or other silicones can feel tacky and this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The sticky feeling should disappear once the product has fully absorbed into the skin. One of my all-time favorite serums is The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension which contains a healthy amount of dimethicone. It has a slightly tacky texture even when you use a very small amount but this fades away after it absorbs into the skin.
If you use an appropriate amount (usually a dime-sized amount for serums or a quarter-sized amount for creams) and allow the serum to absorb you can easily layer thick skincare products without creating a sticky texture.
If a skincare product suddenly changes texture and feels sticky when it’s never caused issues in the past it may be expired or may have become spoiled due to air exposure or from being stored in a hot location. Some serums can even change color when stored improperly! If a bottle is not firmly closed or if the product gets too hot or too cold it can create a strange texture in the product.
How to Stop Your Skincare From Feeling Sticky and Tacky
- Use a smaller amount of product applied to damp skin. Applying skincare to damp skin will also help it absorb faster.
- Avoid mixing oil and water-based formulas as they can pill up or create a tacky/sticky texture when combined.
- Slow down your skincare routine and don’t move on to the next step until the previous products have fully absorbed and your skin feels mostly dry to the touch.
When too much product is used or too many products are layered without allowing time for absorption it can create a sticky feeling texture. Water-based serums tend to be more forgiving because the excess product will simply evaporate away from the skin. Oil and silicone heavy formulas require a lighter touch, as any excess product will just sit on the top layer of the skin.
If you find that your skincare products are still misbehaving after following all these steps you need to consider that your skincare product may simply not be suitable for you skin type. A luxuriously rich face cream may work wonders for someone with a dry or mature skin type, but that same cream could also create a miserable sticky texture for someone with oily skin because their skin simply does not need that level of hydration.
How to Layer Skincare to Minimize Stickiness
Properly layering your skincare will help reduce stickiness! It will also ensure your skin is actually fully absorbing the skincare instead of creating a layer of excess product stuck on top of your skin.
While it’s not a strict rule, I recommend applying products with the wateriest texture first and then moving on to thicker formulas. Most moisturizers and creams create a semi-occlusive barrier on the skin to help reduce water loss and seal in moisture. If you try to apply a watery serum on top of a thick cream it’s going to have a hard time fully absorbing into the skin.
Are You Over Moisturizing?
Your skin certainly has its limits; if you notice your skincare mixture getting tacky or sticky that may be a sign that your skin has absorbed all the moisture it can. There’s no point letting extra serums/essence go to waste if your skin is already thoroughly moisturized!
If you have a complex skincare routine with numerous steps and you’re struggling with sticky feeling skin it’s time to step back and re-evaluate things. Do you really need those five different serums? Are they causing you more grief than benefits? Try going back to a bare-bones routine of a simple cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen. Slowly add back in your other skincare products and kick any trouble makers to the curb!