Skincare is the collection of practices that support healthy skin appearance, improve its health and alleviate skin disorders. Skincare includes prevention of over-exposure to sunlight, nutrition for healthy skin and proper use of emollient. Skincare products should be made from all-natural ingredients as they are safe for long-term use. Organic products are highly recommended, since they are generally free of synthetic chemicals and can thus be considered as an effective skincare treatment system. They are also not harsh on the skin.

Cleansing: one of the most common skincare practices is cleansing. The main purpose of cleansing is to remove dead skin cells and loose dirt and oil from pores. Common cleansing agents include cleansers, toners, foams and creams. Cleansers can work in two different ways. They can either be a water-based agent to remove oil and dirt, or a water-based solvent to loosen dirt and oil from the pores.

Exfoliator: an exfoliator is a product that gets rid of dead cells and softens the skin. The most commonly used exfoliator is a scrub that contains salicylic acid, retinoid and pH neutralizing substances. A good exfoliator should help to reduce wrinkles, fine lines and dark circles and increase firmness and elasticity.

Serum: a serum is a thick oily liquid that serves as a body moisturizer. It works by drawing out impurities from the skin. Common skincare ingredients in serum include vitamin A, B, C and E, retinol (a form of Vitamin A) and various other ingredients. Some of these ingredients such as retinol are derivatives of Vitamin A.

Cleanser: a cleanser is a thick, liquid that removes impurities from the face, including oil, dead cells and bacteria. Common ingredients in cleansers include alcohol and Shea butter. Cleansing is necessary for deep facial cleansing, to rid the face of excess oil, and to prevent bacterial infections. Skincare products with natural ingredients such as grape seed oil, witch hazel, and honey are the best cleansers for dry skin.

Skincare products work together in a system to provide the skin with the basic necessities while protecting it from damage caused by free radicals, environmental irritants and other things. The majority of skincare serums on the market have several common ingredients, including the basic cleanser, moisturiser and exfoliator. The problem is that many companies tend to use chemicals that could be damaging to the skin, rather than using natural ingredients that are safe and effective. In my opinion, it is best to use a whole skincare system, composed of both exfoliators and moisturisers. It usually takes a little time to see the benefits of these two, but the whole process can be very satisfying and restorative.