Skincare Quiz
Material Science: cosmetics for
geeks
answer key:
1.
Originally used to treat cross eyed individuals, this product paralyzes
facial muscles and is derived from:
the answer is
a bacterium famous
for food poisoning
hence its name Botox
However also of interest is the pufferfish's Tetrodotoxin
a neurotoxin used as a chemical defense by many animals
2. Adding
__________ in a skin cream is done to help heal sun damage, reduce liver spots,
and wrinkles.
the best response is A. Lactic acid
This may explain the historical popularity of milk baths
but vitamin c can
also help so L-ascorbate
is also correct
Note: a symptom of scurvy is the formation of liver spots which the
ingestion of L-ascorbate
prevents.
3. Organic compounds
like oxybenzone or p-Aminobenzoic acid are used to absorb
ultraviolet radiation in
sunscreens
4.
Inorganic particulates are employed to reflect or scatter UV light in
sunblocks
While the difference between the two is blurred wikipedia's article Sunscreen is
informative.
Note: that sunblocks have never been implicated in increasing skin
cancer rates while the same can not be said for sunscreens.
5. A lot of skin creams contain ingredients
that are too acidic to use directly and have to be
buffered
Moisturizer terms (more information can be found in
Understanding
Moisturizer Ingredients By Heather
Brannon, MD at about.com)
6. Occlusives, such as
beeswax, lanolin, and
mineral
oil, are used to
slow the
evaporation of water
7. Humectants, like sorbitol, urea, and propylene
glycerol,
attract water
to epidermis
8. Emollients
such as castor
or jojoba
oils, and cyclomethicone
act as lubricants and give a soft &
smooth appearance to the skin
What was surprising for me, was that many of
these ingredients from urea to mineral oil have been touted as having
medicinal properties.
9. Because they
are similar to cell membranes _________ , tiny spheres, can deliver active
ingredients like vitamins into
the skin itself.
liposomes
10. Alpha Hydroxy
Acids like tartaric, malic, and citric acids have been used for centuries and are
now more popular than ever. It
is possible that they stimulate the production of collagen and elastin.
However, their principal role is for _________ or the removal dead skin.
exfoliation
Bonus
question: When faced with banal sounding ingredients like water
or petrolium jelly
what language does the skincare industry employ to make these items
appear more expensive?
Latin
Water becomes aqua and
petrolium jelly is transformed into paraffinum
liquidum
If you like this quiz perhaps
you should try the lipstick
quiz as well.
Christopher YUKNA
schools:Ecole
des Mines IUT Fac de
Droit
websites: The
Business Emporium + Totally
Unorthodox English + Science General
work: 04.77.42.00.82 mobile: 06.68.54.48.46
e-mails: yukna(AT)emse.fr
or yuknachris(AT)yahoo.com