Pennsylvania Esthetician State Board Practice Exam

Which of the following is a characteristic of surfactants?

1. They bind water and oil

2. They have a high pH

3. They are always solid

4. They contain no surfactant properties

The correct answer is: They bind water and oil

Surfactants, or surface-active agents, are compounds that have the unique ability to reduce the surface tension between liquids or between a liquid and a solid. One of their primary characteristics is the ability to bind water and oil, which is essential in various applications, particularly in cleansing and emulsifying products. This property allows surfactants to effectively mix water with oils or fats, which typically do not mix, thereby facilitating the removal of impurities, dirt, and makeup from the skin. The ability to bind water and oil enhances the effectiveness of many cosmetic and personal care products, such as cleansers and shampoos, where a thorough cleansing action is needed to achieve a clean surface. This characteristic is fundamental to their function in formulations across the beauty and skincare industry. In contrast, surfactants do not inherently possess a high pH, they can exist in liquid or solid forms according to their specific formulation and intended use, and the definition of surfactants inherently includes their surfactant properties.