Commercially prepared skincare products sold to consumers include products for moisturizing and cleansing the face, hands and body, as well as products for combating the effects of aging on skin. The products come in wide variety of packaging and forms such as creams, serums and lotions. The skincare market can be broadly classified into the following definitions:
- Facial cleansers remove the grease, dirt, oil and makeup collected in the pores of the skin by interacting with the moisture barrier in the skin’s surface, altering the skin’s pH.While the moisture barrier is a protective layer, which preserves water and natural oils to moisturize and maintain the smoothness and flexibility of the skin, pH level of the skin is critical in the proper functioning of the moisture barrier. Harsher cleansers tend to disrupt/damage the moisture barrier and affect the pH balance of the skin while milder products maintain a natural pH balance and are more sensitive to the skins layer.
- Facial moisturizers protect the skin's natural defenses against the environment while controlling moisture loss from the skin. Dry skin with low water content tends to fissure, which makes it prone to bacterial and fungal infection. By providing hydration to the skin, moisturizers prevent dryness leading to irritations, soreness and flakiness. In addition, moisturizers sooth and soften the skin, thereby reducing the impact of lines and wrinkles.
- Anti-aging preparations, or “treatment products,” include hydrating creams, wrinkle reducers, eye creams, lift serums, and so on. They are used to mask or retard signs of aging, such as puffiness and crow’s feet. Anti-aging products for both face and body are positioned on the benefits of preventing premature aging, reducing wrinkles or firming skin. The products normally come with standard moisturizing ingredients to soothe and soften the skin and specialty ingredients, to minimize wrinkles and replenish the skin. Some anti-aging products boost the rate of skin removal and help to slow the aging process. Products are also designed for certain areas of the skin, such as around the eyes.
- Hand and body lotions are similar to facial moisturizers but they are usually thicker and heavier in order to leave a more durable protective coating. Body moisturizers, particularly hand lotions, are often oil-based and water repellant, staying on even after being rinsed by water. These products help to hydrate the skin.

