Principles of formulation of hair care products MCQs With Answer introduces B.Pharm students to formulation science behind shampoos, conditioners, styling agents and treatment products. This short guide emphasizes key concepts: surfactant selection, CMC, HLB, emulsions, rheology modifiers, preservatives, pH control, silicones, conditioning polymers, chelating agents and stability testing. Understanding excipient interactions, safety and regulatory classification is essential for designing effective, stable and consumer‑friendly hair care systems. These MCQs focus on practical formulation decisions, ingredient functionality and analytical/ quality control methods relevant to pharmaceutical graduates pursuing cosmetic formulation or quality assurance careers. Now let’s test your knowledge with 30 MCQs on this topic.
Q1. Which component is the primary cleansing agent in most shampoo formulations?
- Surfactant
- Emollient
- Humectant
- Preservative
Correct Answer: Surfactant
Q2. What does CMC (critical micelle concentration) represent in surfactant chemistry?
- The concentration at which surfactant molecules begin to form micelles
- The pH at which a surfactant is most stable
- The HLB value of a surfactant
- The maximum solubility of surfactant in water
Correct Answer: The concentration at which surfactant molecules begin to form micelles
Q3. The HLB (hydrophilic‑lipophilic balance) value of an emulsifier is used to:
- Predict the type of emulsion (O/W or W/O) it will favor
- Measure preservative efficacy
- Determine surfactant CMC
- Calculate product pH
Correct Answer: Predict the type of emulsion (O/W or W/O) it will favor
Q4. Which of the following is a common anionic surfactant used in shampoos?
- Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)
- Cetyl alcohol
- Dimethicone
- Phenoxyethanol
Correct Answer: Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)
Q5. Effective conditioning of hair is typically achieved with which class of ingredients?
- Cationic polymers/quaternary ammonium compounds
- Anionic surfactants
- Non‑ionic surfactants
- Preservatives
Correct Answer: Cationic polymers/quaternary ammonium compounds
Q6. Which rheology modifier is commonly used to thicken clear shampoo formulations?
- Carbomer
- Beeswax
- Mineral oil
- Fragrance
Correct Answer: Carbomer
Q7. The primary function of a chelating agent such as EDTA in hair care products is to:
- Bind metal ions to prevent oxidative instability and improve preservative performance
- Act as a primary surfactant
- Provide fragrance stability
- Increase foaming
Correct Answer: Bind metal ions to prevent oxidative instability and improve preservative performance
Q8. For leave‑on hair products and many shampoos, the target pH is typically:
- Slightly acidic (around 4.5–5.5)
- Strongly alkaline (>9)
- Neutral (7.0)
- Strongly acidic (<2)
Correct Answer: Slightly acidic (around 4.5–5.5)
Q9. Which preservative is widely used in cosmetic aqueous formulations for broad‑spectrum activity?
- Phenoxyethanol
- Propylene glycol
- Methylparaben only
- Glycerin
Correct Answer: Phenoxyethanol
Q10. Which ingredient class is most commonly used to impart shine and reduce friction by coating the hair cuticle?
- Silicones (e.g., dimethicone)
- Anionic surfactants
- Hydrophilic polymers
- Chelating agents
Correct Answer: Silicones (e.g., dimethicone)
Q11. Most creamy rinse‑off conditioners are formulated as which type of emulsion?
- Oil‑in‑water (O/W)
- Water‑in‑oil (W/O)
- Microemulsion of pure oil
- Suspension of solids only
Correct Answer: Oil‑in‑water (O/W)
Q12. Which amphoteric surfactant is commonly used as a foam booster and milding agent in shampoos?
- Cocamidopropyl betaine
- Mineral oil
- EDTA
- Citric acid
Correct Answer: Cocamidopropyl betaine
Q13. Which active is commonly used for treating dandruff in anti‑dandruff shampoos?
- Zinc pyrithione
- Glycerin
- Cetyl alcohol
- Fragrance
Correct Answer: Zinc pyrithione
Q14. Which incompatibility often causes precipitation when combining rinse‑off conditioning agents with certain shampoos?
- Anionic surfactants with cationic conditioners
- Non‑ionic emulsifiers with oils
- Preservatives with chelators
- Humectants with polymers
Correct Answer: Anionic surfactants with cationic conditioners
Q15. Which antioxidant is commonly used in hair oil formulations to prevent oxidative rancidity?
- Tocopherol (Vitamin E)
- Sodium lauryl sulfate
- Citric acid (only)
- Cetyl alcohol
Correct Answer: Tocopherol (Vitamin E)
Q16. A humectant’s main role in hair care formulations is to:
- Attract and retain moisture in hair and skin
- Provide foam stability
- Act as a primary preservative
- Adjust pH to acidic range
Correct Answer: Attract and retain moisture in hair and skin
Q17. Which clinical test is commonly used to assess irritation and sensitization potential of topical cosmetic products?
- Human repeat insult patch test (HRIPT)
- CMC determination
- HLB value test
- Titrimetric pH stability test
Correct Answer: Human repeat insult patch test (HRIPT)
Q18. Which instrument is most appropriate to measure the flow and viscoelastic properties (rheology) of shampoos and conditioners?
- Rheometer (or viscometer/rheometer)
- pH meter
- Spectrophotometer
- Analytical balance
Correct Answer: Rheometer (or viscometer/rheometer)
Q19. Which silicone type is volatile and often used to improve sensory feel without long‑term buildup?
- Cyclomethicone (volatile silicone)
- Dimethicone (non‑volatile silicone)
- Sodium lauryl sulfate
- Glycerin
Correct Answer: Cyclomethicone (volatile silicone)
Q20. The standard test to evaluate preservative performance in cosmetic formulations is called:
- Preservative efficacy test (microbial challenge test)
- Foam volume test
- pH strip assay
- Rheology profiling
Correct Answer: Preservative efficacy test (microbial challenge test)
Q21. In surfactant‑based shampoo systems, which common salt is used to adjust viscosity?
- Sodium chloride (table salt)
- Magnesium sulfate
- Potassium sorbate
- Ethyl alcohol
Correct Answer: Sodium chloride (table salt)
Q22. Which polymer is widely used as a film former in hair styling products to provide hold?
- Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)
- Cetyl alcohol
- Dimethicone
- EDTA
Correct Answer: Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)
Q23. Which analytical technique is commonly used to determine droplet/particle size distribution in emulsions and suspensions?
- Laser diffraction particle sizing
- Conductivity measurement
- pH titration
- Organoleptic testing
Correct Answer: Laser diffraction particle sizing
Q24. For sensitive scalps, which surfactant is generally considered milder and often preferred?
- Cocamidopropyl betaine
- Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)
- Sodium chloride
- Citric acid
Correct Answer: Cocamidopropyl betaine
Q25. Which fatty alcohol is commonly used as an emollient and stabilizer in conditioners and creams?
- Cetyl alcohol
- Sodium lauryl sulfate
- Phenoxyethanol
- Ethylene glycol
Correct Answer: Cetyl alcohol
Q26. A microemulsion differs from a conventional emulsion because it is:
- Thermodynamically stable and often forms spontaneously with low interfacial tension
- Always opaque and coarse
- Composed only of solids
- Identical to a suspension
Correct Answer: Thermodynamically stable and often forms spontaneously with low interfacial tension
Q27. Fragrance ingredients in hair care products are primarily added to provide aroma but may also:
- Cause allergic contact sensitization in susceptible individuals
- Act as primary preservatives
- Serve as primary surfactants
- Increase CMC values
Correct Answer: Cause allergic contact sensitization in susceptible individuals
Q28. From a regulatory standpoint, most hair shampoos and conditioners are classified as:
- Cosmetics (unless therapeutic claims are made)
- Prescription drugs by default
- Food products
- Industrial solvents
Correct Answer: Cosmetics (unless therapeutic claims are made)
Q29. Which ingredient class helps reduce static electricity and smooth hair after drying?
- Quaternary ammonium compounds (cationic conditioning agents)
- Anionic surfactants
- Humectants only
- Preservatives
Correct Answer: Quaternary ammonium compounds (cationic conditioning agents)
Q30. Increasing surfactant concentration above the CMC primarily leads to:
- Formation of micelles that solubilize oils and improve detergency
- A decrease in foam formation always
- Instant change of pH to acidic
- Complete elimination of need for preservatives
Correct Answer: Formation of micelles that solubilize oils and improve detergency
I am a Registered Pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act, 1948, and the founder of PharmacyFreak.com. I hold a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from Rungta College of Pharmaceutical Science and Research. With a strong academic foundation and practical knowledge, I am committed to providing accurate, easy-to-understand content to support pharmacy students and professionals. My aim is to make complex pharmaceutical concepts accessible and useful for real-world application.
Mail- Sachin@pharmacyfreak.com