Moisturizing cream, cold cream, and vanishing cream – composition, advantages and disadvantages MCQs With Answer

Introduction

Moisturizing cream, cold cream, and vanishing cream are core topical formulations in pharmaceutics, emphasizing composition, function and formulation science. Moisturizers combine humectants (glycerin, urea), emollients (liquid paraffin, cetyl alcohol) and occlusives (petrolatum) to restore hydration and repair the stratum corneum. Cold creams are classic water-in-oil emulsions (oils, waxes, borax/lanolin) offering strong occlusion and cleansing, while vanishing creams are oil-in-water emulsions (stearic acid neutralized with triethanolamine) that absorb rapidly and provide a matte, non-greasy feel. Important topics include emulsifier selection (HLB), preservative systems, antioxidant protection, pH balance, stability and clinical advantages/disadvantages for different skin types. Now let’s test your knowledge with 30 MCQs on this topic.

Q1. Which trio best describes the primary functional components of a moisturizing cream?

• Humectant, emollient and occlusive
• Surfactant, solvent and preservative
• Fragrance, colorant and antioxidant
• Buffer, chelating agent and humectant

Correct Answer: Humectant, emollient and occlusive

Q2. What traditional ingredient in classical cold cream acts as the emulsifying agent by reacting with fatty acids?

• Triethanolamine
• Borax (sodium borate)
• Sodium lauryl sulfate
• Cetyl alcohol

Correct Answer: Borax (sodium borate)

Q3. Vanishing creams are typically which type of emulsion?

• Oil-in-water (O/W)
• Water-in-oil (W/O)
• Anhydrous ointment base
• Microemulsion

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

Q4. Which combination is commonly used to form the soap-type emulsifier in vanishing creams?

• Stearic acid and triethanolamine
• Beeswax and mineral oil
• Glyceryl monostearate and lactic acid
• Sorbitan oleate and polysorbate 80

Correct Answer: Stearic acid and triethanolamine

Q5. What is a primary advantage of cold cream in topical use?

• Rapid non-greasy absorption
• Strong occlusive moisturization and effective makeup removal
• High water-washability
• Low risk of rancidity

Correct Answer: Strong occlusive moisturization and effective makeup removal

Q6. Which is a major disadvantage of traditional cold creams?

• They are non-occlusive
• They tend to be greasy and can cause comedones
• They evaporate too rapidly
• They have inherently low pH

Correct Answer: They tend to be greasy and can cause comedones

Q7. What is the chief cosmetic advantage of vanishing creams over cold creams?

• Better occlusion and greasiness
• Faster absorption and a non-greasy, matte finish
• Superior cleansing action
• Higher oil content for very dry skin

Correct Answer: Faster absorption and a non-greasy, matte finish

Q8. Which limitation is most associated with vanishing creams for severely dry skin?

• Excessive occlusion causing folliculitis
• Poor occlusive effect and insufficient barrier repair
• Inability to incorporate humectants
• They never dry and leave a sticky film

Correct Answer: Poor occlusive effect and insufficient barrier repair

Q9. Which ingredient is a commonly used humectant in moisturizing creams?

• Glycerin
• Petrolatum
• Beeswax
• Stearic acid

Correct Answer: Glycerin

Q10. Which of the following is primarily an occlusive agent used to prevent transepidermal water loss?

• Petrolatum
• Propylene glycol
• Urea
• Triethanolamine

Correct Answer: Petrolatum

Q11. Which ingredient primarily acts as an emollient to soften and smooth the skin?

• Liquid paraffin (mineral oil)
• Sodium borate
• Preservatives
• Citric acid

Correct Answer: Liquid paraffin (mineral oil)

Q12. What is the main purpose of adding preservatives to creams?

• To increase viscosity
• To prevent microbial contamination and spoilage
• To neutralize fatty acids
• To act as primary emollients

Correct Answer: To prevent microbial contamination and spoilage

Q13. The typical pH range for a vanishing cream is generally around:

• 2.0–3.5
• 4.0–5.0
• 7.0–9.0
• 10.0–12.0

Correct Answer: 7.0–9.0

Q14. The HLB (hydrophile-lipophile balance) concept is most useful for:

• Choosing preservatives for creams
• Selecting appropriate emulsifiers for O/W or W/O emulsions
• Determining fragrance compatibility
• Measuring spreadability

Correct Answer: Selecting appropriate emulsifiers for O/W or W/O emulsions

Q15. Which additive is commonly used to prevent oxidative rancidity of oils in cream formulations?

• Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)
• Triethanolamine
• Magnesium stearate
• Citric acid alone

Correct Answer: Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)

Q16. What is a frequent stability concern specific to oil-containing cold creams?

• Phase separation due to high salt content
• Oxidative rancidity of unsaturated oils producing odor
• Excessive solubility of stearic acid in water
• Spontaneous polymerization of emulsifiers

Correct Answer: Oxidative rancidity of unsaturated oils producing odor

Q17. Which test directly evaluates the ease with which a cream spreads on skin?

• Spreadability test
• pH determination
• Microbial limit test
• FTIR spectroscopy

Correct Answer: Spreadability test

Q18. For optimum shelf-life and stability, creams are best packaged in:

• Perforated metal tins
• Airtight, opaque containers to limit oxidation and contamination
• Open jars exposed to air
• Glass bottles without caps

Correct Answer: Airtight, opaque containers to limit oxidation and contamination

Q19. Which ingredient is chiefly responsible for the ‘vanishing’ or rapid absorption characteristic of vanishing creams?

• Stearic acid (as soap after neutralization)
• Glycerin
• Beeswax
• Lanolin

Correct Answer: Stearic acid (as soap after neutralization)

Q20. Clinically, moisturizers primarily improve skin by:

• Increasing transepidermal water loss (TEWL)
• Repairing the skin barrier and reducing TEWL
• Causing desquamation
• Eliminating all skin lipids

Correct Answer: Repairing the skin barrier and reducing TEWL

Q21. Which type of cream is commonly used as a cosmetic base or primer under makeup?

• Cold cream
• Vanishing cream
• Anhydrous petrolatum ointment
• Hydrogel

Correct Answer: Vanishing cream

Q22. Historically, which expensive wax-like material was used in classic cold creams but is now avoided for ethical reasons?

• Spermaceti
• Carnauba wax
• Beeswax
• Cetyl alcohol

Correct Answer: Spermaceti

Q23. Which cream formulation is generally water-washable and easier to remove than cold cream?

• Vanishing cream (O/W)
• Traditional cold cream (W/O)
• Anhydrous ointment
• Petrolatum jelly

Correct Answer: Vanishing cream (O/W)

Q24. Typical cold cream is classified as which emulsion type?

• Oil-in-water (O/W)
• Water-in-oil (W/O)
• Microemulsion
• Hydrogel

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

Q25. Which commonly used emollient has the highest tendency to be comedogenic among these options?

• Lanolin
• Propylene glycol
• Glycerin
• Triethanolamine

Correct Answer: Lanolin

Q26. Which ingredient often serves as a thickening and stabilizing agent in cream bases?

• Cetyl alcohol
• Sodium chloride
• Propylene glycol
• Lactic acid

Correct Answer: Cetyl alcohol

Q27. In creams, glycerin primarily acts to:

• Provide occlusion
• Act as a humectant that attracts and retains water
• Neutralize fatty acids
• Serve as a preservative

Correct Answer: Act as a humectant that attracts and retains water

Q28. Which chemical is used to neutralize stearic acid in vanishing cream formulations to form the soap-type emulsifier?

• Triethanolamine (TEA)
• Sodium borate
• Citric acid
• Butylated hydroxytoluene

Correct Answer: Triethanolamine (TEA)

Q29. To evaluate the effectiveness of a preservative system in a cream, which test is performed?

• Spreadability test
• Preservative efficacy test (challenge test)
• pH titration
• Melting point determination

Correct Answer: Preservative efficacy test (challenge test)

Q30. Which labeling item is mandatory for commercial pharmaceutical creams to ensure patient safety?

• Expiry date (shelf-life)
• Manufacturer’s CEO name
• Exact therapeutic mechanism on the label
• Complete cosmetic fragrance list

Correct Answer: Expiry date (shelf-life)

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