Washington Esthetician State Board Practice Exam

What are the two accepted types of ingredients in cosmetic products?

1. Natural and synthetic

2. Functional and Performance

3. Active and inactive

4. Organic and inorganic

The correct answer is: Functional and Performance

The correct choice is functional and performance. In the context of cosmetic products, functional ingredients are those that serve a specific purpose, such as forming a product's structure, improving its shelf life, or providing desirable sensory attributes like texture and fragrance. Performance ingredients, on the other hand, are those that deliver specific benefits to the skin or hair, such as moisturizing, nourishing, or treating certain conditions. This distinction is critical for estheticians and beauty professionals as it helps them understand not only what the product is designed to do, but also how it interacts with the skin or hair. Understanding the roles of functional and performance ingredients allows for better product selection and recommendations based on clients' needs. While other options mention terms like natural, synthetic, active, and inactive, these classifications are not the primary focus when differentiating the types of ingredients based on their functions in cosmetic formulations. Therefore, functional and performance provide a more accurate framework for understanding how ingredients are categorized regarding their roles in cosmetic products.