Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society (WOCN) Practice Exam

How do humectants function in skincare?

1. By forming a barrier to protect against moisture loss

2. By attracting water to the skin's outer layer

3. By increasing lipid levels in the skin

4. By providing antibacterial properties

The correct answer is: By attracting water to the skin's outer layer

Humectants function in skincare by attracting water to the skin's outer layer, which is essential for maintaining hydration and promoting a plump, healthy appearance. They are highly effective at drawing moisture from the environment or deeper layers of the skin and binding it to the outermost layer, known as the stratum corneum. This helps to improve the skin’s overall moisture content, making it look and feel more supple and reducing the appearance of dryness and fine lines. In contrast, while forming a barrier to protect against moisture loss is a function of occlusives, and increasing lipid levels in the skin is more relevant to emollients, the primary role of humectants is specifically to enhance hydration through moisture attraction. Similarly, while some ingredients in skincare may possess antibacterial properties, this function is not characteristic of humectants, which focus primarily on hydration.