Pennsylvania Esthetician State Board Practice Exam

What is the function of collagen in the skin?

1. Moisture retention

2. Skin elasticity

3. Structural support

4. Surface protection

The correct answer is: Structural support

Collagen serves as a critical component of the skin, providing structural support. It is a fibrous protein that forms a network within the skin’s dermis, helping to maintain its strength, firmness, and overall integrity. As the primary structural protein, collagen plays a vital role in skin health by giving it the foundation it needs to withstand stretching and deformation. This support is essential for the skin to maintain its shape and resist sagging, particularly as it ages or is exposed to environmental stressors. While other options relate to skin health, such as moisture retention and elasticity, their functions are more associated with different components of the skin. For instance, hyaluronic acid is primarily responsible for moisture retention, while elastin is the protein that gives skin its elasticity. Surface protection is generally attributed to the epidermis and its natural barrier function. Therefore, emphasizing collagen's role in providing structural support accurately reflects its critical contribution to skin health.