Vanishing and foundation creams MCQs With Answer

Vanishing and foundation creams MCQs With Answer

Introduction: This quiz collection is designed for M.Pharm students studying Herbal Cosmetics (MPG 204T) and focuses on vanishing and foundation creams. It covers formulation science, ingredient roles, manufacturing techniques, stability, rheology, pigment dispersion, preservation and evaluation methods, with emphasis on integrating herbal actives safely. The questions probe deeper into emulsion types, HLB selection, phase inversion, compatibility of botanicals, and analytical tests used in quality control. Use these MCQs to test your conceptual understanding, prepare for exams, and identify areas requiring further study in advanced cream technology and regulatory considerations.

Q1. Which characteristic best defines a traditional vanishing cream?

• Contains high pigment load for coverage and color correction
• Forms a thin, invisible film on the skin after evaporation of a volatile component
• Is a water-in-oil emulsion designed to be highly occlusive
• Primarily composed of ionic surfactants and perfumes

Correct Answer: Forms a thin, invisible film on the skin after evaporation of a volatile component

Q2. What is the typical emulsion type used for vanishing creams?

• Water-in-oil (W/O)
• Oil-in-water (O/W)
• Multiple emulsion (W/O/W)
• Anhydrous gel

Correct Answer: Oil-in-water (O/W)

Q3. Which ingredient historically functions both as an emulsifier and thickener in classic vanishing cream formulations?

• Stearic acid
• Xanthan gum
• Beeswax
• Magnesium stearate

Correct Answer: Stearic acid

Q4. What is the primary formulation challenge unique to foundation creams compared with simple vanishing creams?

• Maintaining a volatile solvent concentration
• Achieving stable, uniform pigment dispersion without grittiness or color shift
• Ensuring complete water-free composition
• Preventing solidification at room temperature

Correct Answer: Achieving stable, uniform pigment dispersion without grittiness or color shift

Q5. Which HLB range is most appropriate when selecting an emulsifier system for an oil-in-water (O/W) vanishing cream?

• Low HLB (3–6)
• Medium HLB (6–8)
• High HLB (8–18)
• Very high HLB (>20)

Correct Answer: High HLB (8–18)

Q6. What is the principal function of a volatile silicone (e.g., cyclomethicone) in vanishing creams?

• Increase permanent occlusivity and film thickness
• Improve spreadability, sensory feel and quick-drying by evaporating after application
• Act as a primary preservative
• Serve as the main pigment dispersant

Correct Answer: Improve spreadability, sensory feel and quick-drying by evaporating after application

Q7. Increasing the aqueous phase proportion in an O/W foundation cream primarily affects which risk?

• Higher risk of lipid rancidity only
• Reduced need for emulsifiers
• Elevated risk of microbial contamination requiring robust preservation
• Lower chance of pigment settling

Correct Answer: Elevated risk of microbial contamination requiring robust preservation

Q8. Which formulation technique is based on changing emulsifier affinity with temperature to create stable O/W emulsions?

• High-shear homogenization
• Phase inversion temperature (PIT) method
• Cold process emulsification
• Spray cooling

Correct Answer: Phase inversion temperature (PIT) method

Q9. For broad-spectrum antimicrobial protection in creams containing herbal extracts, which preservative is frequently chosen due to efficacy and compatibility?

• Methylparaben alone
• Benzoic acid
• Sodium benzoate
• Phenoxyethanol

Correct Answer: Phenoxyethanol

Q10. Which rheological behavior is desirable in facial creams for good application and sensory performance?

• Newtonian (constant viscosity regardless of shear)
• Thixotropic pseudoplastic (shear-thinning with structural recovery)
• Dilatant (shear-thickening)
• Plastic with no yield value

Correct Answer: Thixotropic pseudoplastic (shear-thinning with structural recovery)

Q11. Which experimental method is commonly used to quantify spreadability of a foundation or vanishing cream?

• Brookfield viscosity reading only
• Penetrometer hardness test
• Parallel-plate sliding (glass slide) spreadability test
• pH titration

Correct Answer: Parallel-plate sliding (glass slide) spreadability test

Q12. Which emollient is considered non-comedogenic and is often preferred in facial foundation creams?

• Coconut oil
• Mineral oil
• Isopropyl myristate
• Squalane

Correct Answer: Squalane

Q13. What milling technique is most appropriate to reduce pigment particle size for smooth foundation texture?

• High-pressure homogenization for aqueous proteins
• Ball (bead) milling to disperse and micronize pigments
• Lyophilization of pigment slurry
• Spray drying with carrier polymers

Correct Answer: Ball (bead) milling to disperse and micronize pigments

Q14. How can the incorporation of lipophilic organic UV filters affect an emulsion-based cream?

• Always increases pH significantly
• Has no effect on interfacial properties or stability
• May alter interfacial tension and destabilize the emulsion if not correctly formulated
• Guarantees enhanced microbial resistance

Correct Answer: May alter interfacial tension and destabilize the emulsion if not correctly formulated

Q15. What is the recommended pH range for most facial vanishing and foundation creams to maintain skin compatibility?

• pH 3.0–4.0
• pH 5.0–6.5
• pH 7.0–8.5
• pH 9.0–10.5

Correct Answer: pH 5.0–6.5

Q16. Which analytical measurement is most appropriate to evaluate the occlusivity of a cream formulation?

• pH measurement
• Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) assessment
• Colorimetric analysis
• Particle size distribution of pigments

Correct Answer: Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) assessment

Q17. When formulating creams containing polyphenol-rich herbal extracts, which emulsifier class is usually preferred to minimize interaction and instability?

• Anionic surfactants
• Cationic surfactants
• Nonionic emulsifiers
• Zwitterionic betaines exclusively

Correct Answer: Nonionic emulsifiers

Q18. Which accelerated stability condition is commonly used during pre-formulation stress testing for topical creams?

• Storage at 4 °C for 1 month
• Storage at 25 °C (room temperature) for 1 year
• Storage at 40 ± 2 °C (accelerated temperature) for several months
• Autoclaving at 121 °C for 15 minutes

Correct Answer: Storage at 40 ± 2 °C (accelerated temperature) for several months

Q19. Which approach best prevents oil phase separation or “oil bleed” in vanishing and foundation creams?

• Reducing emulsifier concentration markedly
• Increasing emulsifier concentration and adding structural thickeners (e.g., stearic acid, carbomer)
• Removing all humectants
• Storing the product at sub-zero temperatures

Correct Answer: Increasing emulsifier concentration and adding structural thickeners (e.g., stearic acid, carbomer)

Q20. Which commercial claim on a foundation cream mandates specific SPF testing and regulatory substantiation?

• “Long-lasting moisturization”
• “Sun protection factor (SPF) 30”
• “Hypoallergenic”
• “Oil-free”

Correct Answer: “Sun protection factor (SPF) 30”

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