Herbal moisturizing creams MCQs With Answer

Herbal moisturizing creams MCQs With Answer is a focused quiz resource designed for M.Pharm students studying Herbal Cosmetics (MPG 204T). This set of multiple-choice questions emphasizes formulation science, selection of plant-derived actives, stability and preservation challenges, analytical standardization, and evaluation methods specific to herbal moisturizers. Questions probe deeper into the roles of humectants, emollients, occlusives, natural emulsifiers and rheology modifiers, as well as extraction techniques, phototoxicity, packaging and regulatory considerations. Each MCQ is crafted to reinforce core concepts and promote application-level thinking useful for formulation development, quality control and research in herbal cosmetic products.

Q1. Which plant-derived ingredient is primarily used as an effective humectant in herbal moisturizing creams?

• Glycerin (vegetable-derived)
• Shea butter
• Candelilla wax
• Carnauba wax

Correct Answer: Glycerin (vegetable-derived)

Q2. Which of the following is the best plant-derived occlusive agent to reduce transepidermal water loss in a herbal cream?

• Shea butter
• Lecithin
• Xanthan gum
• Green tea extract

Correct Answer: Shea butter

Q3. What is the primary function of emollients in herbal moisturizing cream formulations?

• To provide antimicrobial preservation
• To soften and fill intercellular spaces of the stratum corneum
• To act as the main humectant
• To increase product pH

Correct Answer: To soften and fill intercellular spaces of the stratum corneum

Q4. Which natural emulsifier is commonly used for stabilizing oil-in-water herbal creams due to its phospholipid content?

• Sodium lauryl sulfate
• Lecithin (soy-derived)
• Sodium stearoyl lactylate
• Polyethylene glycol

Correct Answer: Lecithin (soy-derived)

Q5. Why are herbal moisturizing creams particularly susceptible to microbial contamination?

• Low water content prevents microbial growth
• High water activity and plant nutrients provide growth substrates
• Presence of natural waxes kills microbes instantly
• Herbal actives always act as preservatives

Correct Answer: High water activity and plant nutrients provide growth substrates

Q6. Which analytical technique is most appropriate for quantitative standardization of a marker phytochemical in a herbal moisturizing cream?

• Thin layer chromatography (qualitative only)
• High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)
• Microscopy
• Organoleptic testing

Correct Answer: High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)

Q7. Which instrumental test directly measures skin hydration to evaluate the moisturizing efficacy of a cream?

• pH meter
• Centrifuge test
• Corneometry (skin capacitance)
• Viscometry

Correct Answer: Corneometry (skin capacitance)

Q8. Which natural polymer is widely used as a rheology modifier and stabilizer in herbal moisturizing creams?

• Carbomer
• Xanthan gum
• Polyacrylamide
• Sodium lauryl sulfate

Correct Answer: Xanthan gum

Q9. For extraction of lipophilic, heat-sensitive botanical actives intended for an oil phase in creams, which method is most suitable?

• Reflux boiling in water
• Supercritical CO2 extraction
• High-temperature Soxhlet extraction with water
• Dry heat distillation

Correct Answer: Supercritical CO2 extraction

Q10. Which botanical is well-known for containing furocoumarins (e.g., bergapten) and can cause phototoxic reactions when used in topical preparations?

• Chamomile
• Bergamot (Citrus bergamia)
• Calendula
• Aloe vera

Correct Answer: Bergamot (Citrus bergamia)

Q11. Which parameter best indicates the chemical stability of a specific phytochemical marker in a formulated herbal cream during stability testing?

• Change in color only
• HPLC assay of the marker compound over time
• Smell assessment by panelists
• Viscosity increase

Correct Answer: HPLC assay of the marker compound over time

Q12. Which packaging choice most effectively minimizes oxidation and contamination risk for an oxygen-sensitive herbal moisturizer?

• Wide-mouth glass jar
• Airless pump tube
• Clear bottle with screw cap
• Aluminum can with spray valve

Correct Answer: Airless pump tube

Q13. Which commonly used natural antioxidant is effective in preventing lipid oxidation in herbal oil phases of creams?

• Tocopherol (Vitamin E)
• Paraben
• Phenoxyethanol
• Sodium benzoate

Correct Answer: Tocopherol (Vitamin E)

Q14. What is the primary function of a chelating agent (e.g., citric acid) in herbal moisturizer formulations?

• Act as the main humectant
• Bind divalent metal ions to prevent catalyzed oxidation and enhance preservative efficacy
• Increase product viscosity
• Serve as a primary emulsifier

Correct Answer: Bind divalent metal ions to prevent catalyzed oxidation and enhance preservative efficacy

Q15. Which pH range is most compatible with healthy skin and typically targeted for herbal moisturizing creams to avoid irritation?

• 2.0–3.5
• 4.5–5.5
• 7.5–9.0
• 10.0–11.5

Correct Answer: 4.5–5.5

Q16. Which plant raw material provides mucilage with humectant and film‑forming properties commonly used in herbal moisturizers?

• Menthol crystals
• Aloe vera mucilage
• Tea tree oil
• Salicylic acid

Correct Answer: Aloe vera mucilage

Q17. When assessing microbiological quality of a finished herbal cream, which test is standard to quantify viable microbial load?

• pH measurement
• Total aerobic microbial count (plate count)
• Sensory panel assessment

Correct Answer: Total aerobic microbial count (plate count)

Q18. Which type of emulsion is generally preferred when high occlusion and superior moisturization are desired in a cream?

• Oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion
• Micellar solution
• Water-in-oil (W/O) emulsion
• Suspension without emulsification

Correct Answer: Water-in-oil (W/O) emulsion

Q19. Which plant-derived emollient is valued for excellent spreading, lightweight feel and ability to mimic skin lipids in topical moisturizers?

• Squalane (plant-derived, e.g., olive or sugarcane source)
• Mineral oil
• Lanolin (animal-derived)
• Petrolatum

Correct Answer: Squalane (plant-derived, e.g., olive or sugarcane source)

Q20. Which guideline specifically provides Good Manufacturing Practices tailored for cosmetic products, including herbal moisturizers?

• ICH Q1A (Stability testing of new drug substances and products)
• ISO 22716 (Cosmetics — Good Manufacturing Practices)
• Pharmacopoeial monographs for injectables
• ICH Q2 (Analytical validation for pharmaceuticals)

Correct Answer: ISO 22716 (Cosmetics — Good Manufacturing Practices)

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