Alberta Written Barber Practice Exam

What is formed when sebum from oil glands mixes with perspiration?

1. Acid mantle

2. Hydro lipid barrier

3. Natural moisturizer

4. Skin barrier

The correct answer is: Acid mantle

The correct answer is that the mixture of sebum from oil glands and perspiration creates the acid mantle. The acid mantle is a thin film of fatty acids and lactic acid on the surface of the skin that protects it from bacterial and viral invasion, maintaining the skin's pH balance. This naturally occurring barrier plays a critical role in skin health by ensuring that the skin remains hydrated and reducing the risk of infections. Sebum, produced by sebaceous glands, contains lipids that contribute to the skin's oily surface, while perspiration contains water and salts. When these two components combine, they create the acid mantle, which helps to keep the skin surface slightly acidic, typically between a pH of 4 and 6. This acidity is important for the overall protective function of the skin, as it inhibits the growth of harmful microorganisms. Other options, while relevant to skin care, do not specifically refer to this process. The hydro lipid barrier relates to the skin's overall barrier function but is not the direct result of the sebum and perspiration mixture. A natural moisturizer refers to substances that help to hydrate the skin but does not define the protective layer created by sebum and perspiration. Lastly, while the skin barrier is a broader term that