CAC Product Knowledge & Cosmeceuticals Flashcards

Growth factors in topical aesthetic products are believed to benefit the skin by:

Answer: Signaling fibroblasts to increase collagen and elastin production

Topical growth factors mimic endogenous signaling proteins that stimulate fibroblast activity, promoting extracellular matrix synthesis.

Bakuchiol is recognized in the cosmeceutical industry primarily as:

Answer: A plant-derived retinol alternative with similar anti-aging effects and better tolerability

Bakuchiol is a meroterpene from Psoralea corylifolia that activates retinoid receptors and has demonstrated retinol-comparable efficacy with less irritation.

Peptides used in anti-aging formulations are categorized based on their mechanism; signal peptides work by:

Answer: Triggering fibroblasts to synthesize more collagen and extracellular matrix proteins

Signal peptides such as Matrixyl (palmitoyl pentapeptide-4) send biochemical signals to fibroblasts to upregulate collagen and fibronectin synthesis.

Which ingredient is a tyrosinase inhibitor used to address hyperpigmentation by reducing melanin biosynthesis?

Answer: Kojic acid

Kojic acid inhibits the copper-containing enzyme tyrosinase, which is the rate-limiting enzyme in melanin production.

The term 'vehicle' in a topical skincare formulation refers to:

Answer: The base that carries active ingredients and affects their delivery into the skin

A vehicle (cream, gel, serum, lotion) determines the stability, feel, occlusion, and penetration rate of the active ingredients it carries.

When recommending a home care regimen for a client with rosacea, which ingredient category should be AVOIDED due to its potential to trigger flare-ups?

Answer: High-concentration AHAs and strong chemical exfoliants

Strong chemical exfoliants can disrupt the compromised barrier in rosacea-prone skin and provoke inflammatory flares.