Pennsylvania Esthetician State Board Practice Exam

Which of the following factors is NOT directly related to pH?

1. Skin health

2. Oily texture

3. Acidity

4. Basicity

The correct answer is: Oily texture

The factor that is not directly related to pH is oily texture. pH is a measure of how acidic or basic a substance is, with a scale ranging from 0 to 14. A pH level of 7 is neutral, levels below 7 indicate acidity, and levels above 7 indicate basicity. Skin health, acidity, and basicity are all directly influenced by pH levels. Skin health can be affected by the pH of products used on the skin, as the skin has a natural acidic mantle that helps protect against bacteria and maintain moisture. Acidity refers to the level of acid present in a solution, which is directly measured by pH. Basicity, or alkalinity, reflects the level of base; both are directly correlated to pH values. Oily texture, however, is related to sebum production and skin type rather than pH levels. While pH may influence skin conditions, the texture of the skin itself—whether it be oily, dry, or combination—is not determined by pH. Thus, oily texture is considered the factor that does not have a direct relationship with pH.