Skincare is the collection of practices which support healthy skin, improve its appearance and alleviate several skin conditions like acne, wrinkles etc. Skincare includes proper usage of skincare products, good nutrition and right use of topical emollients among others. Skincare includes many aspects like using cosmetics, cleansing, toning, exfoliating and moisturizing.
Skincare products are made of various active ingredients. The most commonly used active ingredients in skincare products include alcohols, humecants, preservatives, antibacterial agents, mineral oil, parabens, fragrances, colorings and surfactants. These active ingredients may be in form of alcohols, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylparaben (PBA), propylparaben (PPB), triclosan (TCA), triclocarbanzyl (TLC), dioxane, glycol, liquid paraffin, and methylparaben. Cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries are the major users of skincare A natural or herbal skincare product includes active ingredients which are not harmful to the health. Natural skincare products may contain ingredients like vegetable oils, fruits, herbs and extracts.
Preservatives are added to skincare products for the reason that contamination of cosmetic and pharmaceuticals with biological agents might occur. In a few cases contamination has occurred and the contamination has led to severe health hazards. Some of the commonly used preservatives in skincare products are benzyl peroxide, salicylic acid, resorcinol, lactic acid, glycolic acid, disulphidellar, disulphonium, tretinoin, retinol, isotretinoin etc. Cosmetic manufacturers add these skincare ingredients after completing the formulation.