FREE Esthetician Practice Cosmetic Chemistry and Ingredients Questions and Answers Flashcards
6 cards from real Esthetician Practice Exam practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 FREE Esthetician Practice Cosmetic Chemistry and Ingredients Questions and Answers flashcards as text
Which ingredient is commonly used as a humectant in skincare products to attract moisture from the environment?
Answer: Hyaluronic acid
Hyaluronic acid is a powerful humectant that can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water, drawing moisture from the surrounding environment into the skin.
What is the primary function of an emulsifier in a cosmetic formulation?
Answer: To blend oil and water phases together
Emulsifiers reduce the surface tension between oil and water, allowing them to mix into a stable, uniform product.
Which of the following is classified as an occlusive moisturizing agent?
Answer: Petrolatum
Petrolatum is an occlusive agent that forms a physical barrier on the skin's surface to prevent transepidermal water loss.
What role does tocopherol play in cosmetic formulations?
Answer: It serves as an antioxidant and helps stabilize the product
Tocopherol, a form of vitamin E, protects both the skin and the product itself from oxidative damage caused by free radicals.
Which acid is a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) commonly used to treat acne-prone skin?
Answer: Salicylic acid
Salicylic acid is the most widely used BHA in skincare and is oil-soluble, allowing it to penetrate into clogged pores to reduce breakouts.
What is the purpose of a chelating agent such as EDTA in cosmetic products?
Answer: To bind metal ions that could destabilize the formula
EDTA binds to metal ions like calcium and iron that can degrade preservatives, cause discoloration, or reduce product efficacy.