Skip to content
ExamPassoLog in

Esthetician (NIC Theory Exam) · Skin Care and Services

Esthetician (NIC Theory Exam): Makeup, Products, and Ingredients Concepts

Importance ★★★☆☆ · 25% (estimate)

AI-written · Verified

Written by AI. Only units that passed a separate AI check (re-reading facts and numbers) are published. Tell us if you find a mistake.

Overview

This chapter covers makeup color, product safety, sun protection, and the main skin care ingredients. The exam often checks the color wheel, hygiene with makeup tools, and what each ingredient group does.

The primary colors are red, yellow, and blue. Mixing two primaries makes a secondary color: orange, green, or violet. Complementary colors sit opposite one another on the wheel, so they cancel each other when mixed. Green neutralizes redness, and yellow-toned products soften violet tones.

Makeup hygiene protects clients from infection. Use a clean spatula to remove product from a container, never dip an applicator straight into it, and never share or reuse applicators on different clients. Disposable applicators should be used once, and brushes should be cleaned and disinfected between clients.

Skin care ingredients fall into groups by purpose. Humectants draw water into the skin, occlusives form a layer that holds water in, and emollients soften. Broad-spectrum sunscreen protects against both UVA and UVB rays, and SPF mainly rates UVB protection. Daily use of sunscreen helps slow visible aging caused by the sun.

Key concepts

  • Primary colors

    Red, yellow, and blue. They cannot be made by mixing other colors.

    Memory tipRed, yellow, blue make everything else.

  • Complementary colors

    Colors directly opposite each other on the color wheel, such as red and green. They neutralize each other when mixed.

    Memory tipOpposite colors cancel.

  • Humectant

    An ingredient that attracts water to the skin. Glycerin and hyaluronic acid are common examples.

    Memory tipHumectant = water magnet.

  • Occlusive

    An ingredient that forms a barrier on the skin to hold in moisture, such as petrolatum or beeswax.

    Memory tipOcclusive = a lid on moisture.

  • Emollient

    An ingredient that softens and smooths the skin by filling gaps between skin cells. Plant oils and some butters are examples.

    Memory tipEmollient = softener.

  • Broad-spectrum sunscreen

    A sunscreen that protects against both UVA rays (mainly aging) and UVB rays (mainly burning). SPF mainly shows protection from UVB.

    Memory tipBroad spectrum means both UVA and UVB.

  • Makeup hygiene

    Use a clean spatula for product, single-use applicators for each client, and disinfect brushes between clients. Never put an applicator back into the container.

    Memory tipScoop, do not dip.

Often tested

  • Green cancels redness; yellow softens violet.
  • Never share makeup applicators between clients.
  • Sunscreen should be applied daily and reapplied after sweating or swimming.
  • Humectants pull water in; occlusives hold it in.
  • Check for ingredient allergies before applying products.

Easy to confuse: Humectant, emollient, and occlusive

TypeWhat it doesExample
HumectantDraws water into skinGlycerin
EmollientSoftens and smoothsPlant oils
OcclusiveSeals water inPetrolatum

3 sample questions

Verified practice questions from this unit.

Practice questionReviewedSkin Care and Services › Makeup, Products, and Ingredients★★★★☆

Question 1. What are the primary colors?

  1. ① Orange, green, and violet
  2. ② Red, green, and blue
  3. ③ Red, yellow, and blue
  4. ④ Black, white, and gray
▼ Show answer and explanation▲ Hide answer and explanation

Answer: ③ Red, yellow, and blue

Key point: Primary: red, yellow, blue

Mixing two primary colors makes a secondary color.

Wrong choices

  • Orange, green, and violet: Orange, green, and violet are secondary colors made by mixing primaries.
  • Red, green, and blue: Red, green, and blue are the primary colors of light, not of pigment.
  • Black, white, and gray: Black, white, and gray are neutrals, not primary colors.
Practice questionReviewedSkin Care and Services › Makeup, Products, and Ingredients★★★★☆

Question 2. Which color neutralizes redness?

  1. ① Green
  2. ② Yellow
  3. ③ Violet
  4. ④ Orange
▼ Show answer and explanation▲ Hide answer and explanation

Answer: ① Green

Key point: Green cancels red

Opposite colors cancel.

Wrong choices

  • Yellow: Yellow cancels violet, not red.
  • Violet: Violet cancels yellow tones, not red.
  • Orange: Orange or peach cancels blue tones, not red.
Practice questionReviewedSkin Care and Services › Makeup, Products, and Ingredients★★★★☆

Question 3. Which UV ray is the main cause of sunburn?

  1. ① UVA
  2. ② UVC
  3. ③ Infrared
  4. ④ UVB
▼ Show answer and explanation▲ Hide answer and explanation

Answer: ④ UVB

Key point: UVB burns

UVB affects the surface.

Wrong choices

  • UVA: UVA penetrates deeper and is linked to aging, while UVB is the main cause of sunburn.
  • UVC: UVC is mostly absorbed by the atmosphere and is not the main cause of sunburn.
  • Infrared: Infrared is heat, not a UV ray.
Practice 5 questions from this unit →