Arkansas Esthetician Practice Exam

From where are hydroxy acids commonly extracted?

1. Silicone bases

2. A variety of natural sources

3. Human cells

4. Synthetic compounds

The correct answer is: A variety of natural sources

Hydroxy acids are organic compounds commonly found in many natural sources such as fruits, milk, sugar cane, and willow bark. These sources provide the hydroxy acids in their natural form, making them effective and safe for use in skincare and cosmetic products. Silicone bases (option A) are not a source of hydroxy acids and instead are commonly used as a base or carrier for the acid. Human cells (option C) do produce hydroxy acids as part of their metabolic processes, but extracting these compounds would be difficult and not a common practice. Synthetic compounds (option D) are artificially created and do not occur naturally in plants or animals. They may have a similar chemical structure to hydroxy acids, but they do not provide the same benefits or efficacy as the naturally extracted acids. Therefore, option B is correct.