Prepare for the Milady Esthetics State Board Test with comprehensive quizzes. Utilize flashcards, explore multiple-choice questions, and understand hints for each answer. Gear up for your esthetics certification!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.


What purpose do chelating agents serve in cosmetics?

  1. To enhance fragrance

  2. To preserve cosmetics

  3. To color products

  4. To emulsify ingredients

The correct answer is: To preserve cosmetics

Chelating agents serve primarily the purpose of preserving cosmetics by binding with metal ions that can cause product instability or deterioration. In formulations, metal ions can catalyze reactions that lead to product degradation, microbial growth, or color changes. By using chelating agents, formulators can improve the stability and shelf life of cosmetic products, ensuring that they maintain their intended qualities over time. This preservation is essential for both the effectiveness of the product and the safety of the consumer. While other functions like enhancing fragrance, coloring products, or emulsifying ingredients are important in cosmetics, they do not relate directly to the specific role of chelating agents.