The increasing integration of resource-constrained devices, such as Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, wearable devices, and embedded systems, into modern applications has elevated the demand for lightweight cryptographic solutions, that was only standardized in 2016 by the National Institute of Standard and Technology, (NIST), USA, that maintain robust security while operating under strict limitations. These devices typically have limited computational power, memory, and battery life, necessitating cryptographic techniques that are optimized for efficiency without compromising data protection. This paper provides a comprehensive review of lightweight cryptography, focusing on various methods such as stream ciphers, block ciphers, and hash functions designed specifically for low-resource environments. It examines key implementation strategies, including hardware-software co-design, and assesses the trade-offs between security, performance, and energy consumption. Furthermore, the paper highlights critical vulnerabilities and security challenges that arise when deploying lightweight cryptographic systems in real-world scenarios, such as the risk of side-channel attacks and the evolving landscape of adversarial threats. This paper aims to provide insights into the best practices for securing data in resource-constrained ecosystems using Lightweight Cryptography, inspiring readers to apply these insights in their own research and development. This papercovers the need, aspects, standards, characteristics, security requirements, applications, challenges, and future directions of Lightweight Cryptography. This paper is thus a complete guide for readers to start their research in this evolving field.