Utah Master Esthetician Practice Exam

Sodium laurel sulfate and ammonium laureth sulfate are commonly found in which type of product?

1. Moisturizers

2. Facial masks

3. Cleansers

4. Sunscreens

The correct answer is: Cleansers

Sodium laurel sulfate and ammonium laureth sulfate are surfactants, primarily utilized for their cleansing and foaming properties. These ingredients are most commonly associated with products designed to remove dirt, oil, and impurities from the skin. Therefore, they are predominantly found in cleansers, such as facial washes, body washes, and shampoos. These surfactants work by lowering the surface tension of water, allowing it to more effectively mix with oils and dirt, thus facilitating their removal from the skin or hair. In contrast, moisturizers generally focus on hydrating and protecting the skin without the need for surfactants, facial masks may contain various beneficial ingredients but do not typically include these specific surfactants as their primary function is not cleansing, and sunscreens are formulated to protect the skin from UV damage, often incorporating different types of ingredients focused on this purpose. Thus, cleansers are the appropriate category for sodium laurel sulfate and ammonium laureth sulfate.