Cleansers
Cleansers are fundamental skincare products designed to remove dirt, oil, makeup, sunscreen, and other impurities from the skin’s surface, helping maintain a clear and healthy complexion.
Gel cleansers typically have a transparent, gel-like texture, providing a deep yet gentle cleanse and are best for oily, combination, or normal skin due to their ability to remove excess oils without stripping moisture.
Foam cleansers use a pump or formula that turns liquid into a rich, airy lather and are especially effective for deep cleansing and oil control, making them suitable for oily or acne-prone skin.
Cream cleansers are thicker and often non-foaming, formulated to cleanse while nourishing sensitive, dry, or mature skin, as they remove impurities without disrupting the skin’s moisture barrier.
Oil cleansers use plant-based oils to dissolve oil-soluble debris like makeup, sunscreen, and sebum, and are often the first step of a double cleansing routine, they can be used on all skin types if non-comedogenic. When chosen appropriately based on skin type, cleansers protect the natural skin barrier and prepare the face to absorb subsequent skincare products.
Toner
Toners are water-based products applied after cleansing and before other treatments to rebalance the skin’s pH, remove any lingering impurities, and hydrate or prime the skin. Modern toners have evolved from alcohol-heavy, astringent formulas to more gentle, hydrating blends containing ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and antioxidants. Their key functions include gently cleansing, soothing inflammation, minimizing the look of pores, and increasing the skin’s permeability for serums and moisturizers. Toners are available in formulas tailored to various skin types, from hydrating toners for dry/sensitive skin to exfoliating or pore-minimizing toners for oily or combination skin. They can be applied with a cotton pad or sprayed directly on the face, and their regular use supports a refreshed, balanced, and optimized complexion.
Serum
Serums are lightweight, fast-absorbing liquids or gels that deliver a high concentration of active ingredients directly into the skin’s deeper layers. Unlike moisturizers, which mainly target hydration, serums address specific concerns such as dehydration, pigmentation, wrinkles, dullness, acne, and loss of elasticity with potent ingredients commonly hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, retinoids, niacinamide, and various peptides. Their small molecular size allows for increased penetration, making them more effective for targeted treatments. Applied after toner and before moisturizer, serums amplify the results of a skincare routine when chosen based on the user’s main skin concerns, whether that be brightening, anti-aging, or oil control.
Essence
Essences are fluid, water-based treatments that hydrate, prep, and condition the skin to boost absorption and performance of other products, acting as a bridge between toner and serum. Rich in active ingredients like fermented extracts, antioxidants, and hydrators, essences help balance the skin post-cleansing, promote cellular turnover, and improve smoothness and brightness. Their lightweight, low-molecular formulation allows deeper penetration, and they’re suitable for all skin types, especially those needing extra hydration. With regular use, essences can enhance overall radiance and resilience of the complexion.
Moisturizers
Moisturizers are vital for maintaining skin hydration, preventing water loss, and supporting a healthy skin barrier. Cream moisturizers are thick and emollient, blending water and oils to create a protective, nourishing layer for dry, sensitive, or mature skin ideal for use in colder climates. Lotions are lighter, absorb quickly, and have a higher water content, making them suitable for normal, combination, or slightly oily skin and for daytime use under makeup.
Gel moisturizers are water-based, oil-free, and best for oily or acne-prone skin as they hydrate without leaving residue or clogging pores. Quality moisturizers contain combinations of humectants (which draw water in), emollients (which soften and smooth), and occlusives (which lock in moisture). They are the foundation for healthy, plump skin and protect against environmental aggressors and premature aging.
Sunscreen
Sunscreen is an essential step for daily protection against ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which causes premature skin aging, sunburn, DNA damage, and skin cancers. Regular and generous application prevents both immediate and long-term skin harm, including hyperpigmentation, wrinkling, and oncogenesis. Modern sunscreens are available in chemical, mineral, and hybrid formulations, usually offering broad-spectrum coverage (SPF 30 or higher is recommended). Consistent sunscreen use not only helps prevent cosmetic damage but is a critical health measure for all skin types, ages, and ethnicities.
Spot Treatment
Spot treatments are concentrated products applied directly to blemishes, pimples, or hyperpigmented areas to accelerate healing and minimize inflammation, redness, and size. Common actives include salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, and niacinamide which penetrate the affected area to unclog pores or fade dark spots. Used after cleansing and before moisturizer, spot treatments are not intended for all-over facial use but as a targeted intervention for acute breakouts or pigmentation.
Face Masks (Clay, Sheet, Peel-off)
Face masks deliver concentrated, targeted ingredients for immediate results and deep treatment. Clay masks, containing minerals like kaolin or bentonite, help absorb oil, detoxify, and unclog pores, making them ideal for oily and acne-prone skin. Sheet masks, infused with serums and hydrators, suit all skin types and offer fast hydration, soothing, or brightening benefits. Peel-off masks form a film to exfoliate, refine pores, and brighten the complexion, often delivering more noticeable immediate results but should be used with caution on sensitive skin. The mask type is best selected based on current skin needs for purifying, hydrating, calming, or resurfacing.
Exfoliants (Chemical and Physical)
Exfoliants remove dead skin cells to reveal smoother, brighter, and clearer skin, boosting cell turnover and increasing effectiveness of other skincare products. Chemical exfoliants utilize acids (AHAs, BHAs, PHAs) and enzymes to dissolve bonds between dead cells with minimal abrasion. AHAs (glycolic, lactic acid) target surface renewal, BHAs (salicylic acid) penetrate pores, and PHAs are gentler for sensitive skin.
Physical exfoliants use small particles or textured materials (like jojoba beads or scrubs) to manually buff away dead skin but should be used gently to avoid microtears or irritation. Exfoliation, done appropriately for skin type and concentration/frequency, refines texture, clears congestion, and rejuvenates appearance.
Eye Cream
Eye creams are formulated for the delicate skin around the eyes, delivering targeted moisture and actives to diminish puffiness, dark circles, crow’s feet, and fine lines. They differ from regular facial moisturizers by being lighter in consistency and often containing ingredients like caffeine, peptides, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin C to address common under-eye issues while minimizing irritation. Eye creams support a refreshed, rested, and firmer appearance when used regularly(morning and night) as part of a comprehensive routine.
Facial Oils
Facial oils deliver nourishing lipids, essential fatty acids, and antioxidants to moisturize and protect the skin barrier. They can be used alone or layered over creams to seal in moisture, providing benefits such as enhanced suppleness, radiance, reduced dryness, and support for skin repair. Common oils include jojoba, argan, rosehip, and squalane, each chosen for specific properties and compatibility with skin types, even oily or acne-prone, so long as they are non-comedogenic.
Face Mist
Face mists are water-based sprays designed to instantly hydrate, refresh, and soothe the skin at any time of day. They are formulated with humectants and botanical extracts to provide a quick boost of moisture, improve absorption of subsequent skincare products, calm irritation, and revive makeup. Suitable for all skin types, face mists can be used post-cleansing, before moisturizer, or throughout the day as needed, offering a light and convenient skincare step.
BB/CC Cream
BB creams (blemish/beauty balms) and CC creams (color-correcting creams) are multifunctional products combining the benefits of foundation, moisturizer, sunscreen, and treatment serums in one. BB creams offer sheer-to-light coverage with hydrating and protective benefits, suited for those seeking a more natural look. CC creams feature color-correcting pigments to neutralize redness, sallowness, or dullness and often provide a higher coverage, perfect for uneven skin tone and added skincare benefits. Both are helpful for simplifying routines, providing moisture, protection, and cosmetically pleasing finish in a single application.
Primer
Primers prepare the skin for makeup by smoothing its surface, minimizing pores, fine lines, and imperfections, and controlling oil or creating a radiant base. They enhance makeup longevity and appearance, being formulated with ingredients like silicone, blurring particles, or hydrators to address different skin concerns (mattifying, illuminating, or hydrating). Applied after moisturizer and before foundation, primers can target specific areas or be used all over for a flawless finish.
Makeup Remover
Makeup removers are designed to dissolve and lift all types of makeup, including waterproof and long-wearing formulas, as well as dirt and excess oil, ensuring thorough cleansing. They come as micellar water, cleansing oils, balms, or wipes to suit different preferences and skin types. Proper use prevents clogged pores, breakouts, and irritation, ensuring the skin is free from residue before the rest of the skincare regimen and contributing to overall skin health and clarity.
Barrier Support Skincare Ingredients
Maintaining a healthy skin barrier is a central goal in modern skincare, essential for hydration, protection from irritants, and overall skin resilience. Among the most effective barrier-repair and support ingredients are allantoin, squalane, ceramides, and niacinamide; other notable ingredients include hyaluronic acid, glycerin, colloidal oatmeal, beta-glucan, lipids, and peptides.
Allantoin is a gentle, multi-functional agent that moisturizes by increasing the skin’s water content, supports healing, soothes irritation, and aids in cell regeneration and smoothing skin texture. It is ideal for sensitive, inflamed, or damaged skin and provides a protective barrier that helps lock in moisture.
Squalane is a stable, saturated hydrocarbon derived from plant sources, structurally similar to the skin’s own sebum. It penetrates deeply to hydrate, supports the skin’s barrier, reduces redness and inflammation, and offers antioxidant properties. Importantly, it is non-comedogenic and suitable for nearly all skin types.
Ceramides are vital lipids composing about 50% of the skin’s outer layer, critical for barrier integrity. They lock in moisture, prevent environmental damage, reduce redness and irritation, and smooth out visible signs of aging.
Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) enhances the lipid barrier, reduces transepidermal water loss, increases hydration, and has anti-inflammatory, brightening, and sebum-regulating properties. It also calms redness, minimizes pores, and supports overall skin smoothness and resilience. Supporting ingredients include:
Hyaluronic Acid and Glycerin: Both act as humectants, drawing water into the skin and maintaining hydration.
Beta-glucan, Colloidal Oatmeal, Lipids, Peptides, Probiotics, and Plant Oils: These work in synergy to soothe, replenish, and fortify the barrier, further enhancing skin health.
A healthy skin barrier is essential not only for moisture retention but also for protecting the skin from pollutants, irritants, and pathogenic organisms. Barrier-supporting ingredients restore balance, repair visible damage, and provide ongoing resilience, making them foundational to effective skincare routines.
