New Jersey State Board Esthetics Practice Exam

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Prepare for the New Jersey State Board Esthetics Exam. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each providing hints and explanations. Get confidently ready for your exam!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

What are humectants primarily used for in skincare?

Provide antioxidants
Absorb moisture or promote moisture retention
Exfoliate the skin
Enhance skin's natural oils

The correct answer is: Absorb moisture or promote moisture retention

Humectants are primarily used in skincare to absorb moisture from the environment and promote moisture retention in the skin. They draw water into the outer layer of the skin, helping to maintain hydration levels. This is crucial for preventing dryness and maintaining a healthy skin barrier. By attracting moisture, humectants not only help keep the skin plump and supple but also improve the overall texture and appearance of the skin. While antioxidants are important for protecting the skin from free radical damage, they are not the function of humectants. Exfoliation is a process that removes dead skin cells and is achieved through different types of products such as scrubs or chemical exfoliants, rather than the moisturizing properties of humectants. Enhancing natural oils pertains more to occlusive agents that create a barrier to prevent moisture loss, which is a different function from that of humectants. Overall, the key role of humectants is their ability to hydrate and retain moisture in the skin.