Formulation and preparation of lipsticks MCQs With Answer

Formulation and preparation of lipsticks MCQs With Answer

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Formulation and preparation of lipsticks MCQs With Answer

Understanding the formulation and preparation of lipsticks is essential for B.Pharm students specializing in pharmaceutical cosmetics. This concise guide covers key concepts: lipstick excipients (waxes, oils, emollients, pigments, fillers), manufacturing processes (hot‑melt, milling, homogenization, pouring), quality control tests (melting point, firmness, color fastness, stability), and safety/regulatory aspects (preservative needs, CI pigment numbers, heavy metal limits). Emphasis on rheology, melting characteristics, antioxidant/chelating agents, and packaging ensures practical competency in product development and QC. The content is rich in formulation keywords like wax ratio, oil phase, pigment dispersion, and stability testing. Now let’s test your knowledge with 30 MCQs on this topic.

Q1. Which ingredient primarily provides hardness and shape retention in lipstick formulations?

  • Waxes
  • Oils
  • Pigments
  • Fragrances

Correct Answer: Waxes

Q2. Which oil is most commonly used as the main glossy emollient in traditional lipsticks?

  • Mineral oil
  • Castor oil
  • Olive oil
  • Coconut oil

Correct Answer: Castor oil

Q3. Which wax is known for providing high rigidity and a high melting point in lipstick bases?

  • Beeswax
  • Carnauba wax
  • Candelilla wax
  • Microcrystalline wax

Correct Answer: Carnauba wax

Q4. In pigment technology for lipsticks, what is a “lake” pigment?

  • A metallic pigment used for shine
  • An insoluble pigment formed by precipitating a dye onto an inorganic substrate
  • A natural mineral pigment like mica
  • A solvent-soluble dye used directly

Correct Answer: An insoluble pigment formed by precipitating a dye onto an inorganic substrate

Q5. Which additive is commonly used in lipstick to protect oils and pigments from oxidation?

  • Sodium lauryl sulfate
  • BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene)
  • Sodium benzoate
  • Propylene glycol

Correct Answer: BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene)

Q6. The typical wax:oil:pigment approximate proportion in many conventional lipstick formulations is closest to which ratio?

  • 10% wax : 80% oil : 10% pigment
  • 30% wax : 40% oil : 20% pigment
  • 60% wax : 20% oil : 10% pigment
  • 5% wax : 90% oil : 5% pigment

Correct Answer: 30% wax : 40% oil : 20% pigment

Q7. Which manufacturing step is essential for achieving uniform pigment dispersion in lipstick?

  • Cold molding without mixing
  • Roller milling or high-shear homogenization
  • Direct pouring of dry pigments into molds
  • Lyophilization of the mixture

Correct Answer: Roller milling or high-shear homogenization

Q8. For a water-free lipstick formulation, which preservative requirement is correct?

  • Broad-spectrum aqueous preservatives are mandatory
  • No preservative is necessary due to absence of water, but antioxidants/chelators may be used
  • Only antifungal preservatives are required
  • Preservatives must be mixed at 10% w/w

Correct Answer: No preservative is necessary due to absence of water, but antioxidants/chelators may be used

Q9. Which quality control test determines lipstick resistance to melting and deformation at elevated temperature?

  • pH determination
  • Drop point or softening point test
  • Viscosity using Brookfield viscometer
  • Microbial limit test

Correct Answer: Drop point or softening point test

Q10. Which filler is commonly used to modify texture and opacity in lipstick formulations?

  • Talc
  • Sodium chloride
  • Glycerin
  • Polysorbate 20

Correct Answer: Talc

Q11. What is the primary role of emollients in lipstick?

  • Provide color
  • Improve spreadability and skin feel
  • Act as a preservative
  • Increase melting point

Correct Answer: Improve spreadability and skin feel

Q12. Which packaging consideration is critical for preventing contamination and maintaining lipstick integrity?

  • Opaque glass jars only
  • Air-tight screw caps with appropriate tube or bullet design
  • Open trays for ventilation
  • Packaging with high water vapor transmission

Correct Answer: Air-tight screw caps with appropriate tube or bullet design

Q13. Which regulatory identifier is important for colorants used in lipstick formulations?

  • CAS number only
  • CI (Colour Index) number
  • NDC code
  • INN (International Nonproprietary Name)

Correct Answer: CI (Colour Index) number

Q14. Which test assesses the mechanical flexibility of a lipstick bullet to resist breakage?

  • Bend test or break strength test
  • pH stability test
  • Microbial enumeration
  • Freeze-drying test

Correct Answer: Bend test or break strength test

Q15. Which pigment class is most likely to cause allergic reactions in some consumers and is of concern in lipstick safety?

  • Iron oxides
  • Micas
  • Carmine (cochineal) and certain lakes
  • Ultramarine blue

Correct Answer: Carmine (cochineal) and certain lakes

Q16. Why are chelating agents like EDTA used in lipstick formulations?

  • To increase gloss
  • To sequester metal ions and improve antioxidant performance
  • To act as a pigment
  • To provide fragrance retention

Correct Answer: To sequester metal ions and improve antioxidant performance

Q17. Which statement about SPF incorporation into lipsticks is accurate?

  • Any sunscreen agent is stable in all lipstick bases without testing
  • Incorporation is possible but requires compatibility, photostability, and regulatory testing
  • SPF cannot be added to lipsticks by regulation
  • Sunscreens reduce melting point and thus are avoided

Correct Answer: Incorporation is possible but requires compatibility, photostability, and regulatory testing

Q18. What is the main purpose of performing accelerated stability studies on lipstick formulations?

  • To evaluate long-term microbial growth at room temperature only
  • To predict physical, chemical, and color stability under stress conditions
  • To determine pH changes after 10 years
  • To test for performance in aquatic environments

Correct Answer: To predict physical, chemical, and color stability under stress conditions

Q19. Which manufacturing method describes heating waxes and oils, dispersing pigments, and pouring into molds?

  • Cold press technique
  • Hot‑melt manufacturing (melt, mix, pour)
  • Sublimation casting
  • Fermentation-based synthesis

Correct Answer: Hot‑melt manufacturing (melt, mix, pour)

Q20. Which test evaluates how well lipstick adheres to lip tissue and resists transfer?

  • Spreadability test
  • Transfer/smear test (rub-off or kiss test)
  • Drop point test
  • pH measurement

Correct Answer: Transfer/smear test (rub-off or kiss test)

Q21. Which additive improves gloss and wet look in lipstick formulations?

  • Matting agents like silica
  • High refractive index oils (e.g., castor oil) and film formers
  • Salt crystals
  • Hydrophilic polymers

Correct Answer: High refractive index oils (e.g., castor oil) and film formers

Q22. What is the primary reason pigments in lipsticks must be pharmaceutically graded?

  • To reduce manufacturing cost
  • To ensure purity, specified particle size, and acceptable heavy metal limits
  • To make them more soluble in water
  • To lower melting point of the product

Correct Answer: To ensure purity, specified particle size, and acceptable heavy metal limits

Q23. In lipstick formulation, which ingredient class often controls gloss, slip, and moisturization simultaneously?

  • Waxes
  • Emollients and oils
  • Preservatives
  • Color lakes

Correct Answer: Emollients and oils

Q24. Which analytical method is most appropriate for quantifying specific dye components in a lipstick?

  • Gravimetric analysis
  • HPLC or spectrophotometric analysis after suitable extraction
  • Titration with NaOH
  • Karl Fischer titration

Correct Answer: HPLC or spectrophotometric analysis after suitable extraction

Q25. What effect does increasing the proportion of hard waxes have on a lipstick formulation?

  • Decreases melting point and increases stickiness
  • Increases hardness, raises melting point, and reduces spreadability
  • Increases water content
  • Makes the lipstick transparent

Correct Answer: Increases hardness, raises melting point, and reduces spreadability

Q26. Which safety test is particularly relevant because lipsticks are applied on mucosal surfaces?

  • Acute oral toxicity only
  • Ocular irritation test only
  • Dermal/mucosal irritation and sensitization studies
  • Inhalation toxicity test only

Correct Answer: Dermal/mucosal irritation and sensitization studies

Q27. Which ingredient can act as both a pigment dispersant and emollient in certain lipstick systems?

  • Glycerin
  • Sorbitan esters or certain silicone fluids
  • Sodium chloride
  • Cellulose powder

Correct Answer: Sorbitan esters or certain silicone fluids

Q28. Why is particle size reduction of pigments important in lipstick manufacturing?

  • Smaller particles increase opacity, improve color uniformity and reduce gritty feel
  • It increases the drying time
  • It makes pigments water-soluble
  • It always increases the melting point

Correct Answer: Smaller particles increase opacity, improve color uniformity and reduce gritty feel

Q29. Which parameter is NOT typically relevant for quality control of a standard lipstick?

  • Color consistency and shade matching
  • Melting/softening point
  • pH of the finished product
  • Break strength of the bullet

Correct Answer: pH of the finished product

Q30. For eco-friendly or “natural” lipstick claims, which formulation change is most typical?

  • Replacing synthetic pigments with certified natural colorants and using plant-based waxes/oils
  • Adding more synthetic fragrances to mask odor
  • Increasing mineral oil content
  • Using higher levels of synthetic preservatives for stability

Correct Answer: Replacing synthetic pigments with certified natural colorants and using plant-based waxes/oils

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