Oregon Esthetician State Board

What does hydrophilic mean?

1. Water resistant

2. Oil loving

3. Water fearing

4. Water loving

The correct answer is: Water loving

Hydrophilic refers to a substance that has an affinity for water; it literally translates to “water loving.” This characteristic means that hydrophilic materials or molecules are attracted to water and can easily dissolve or interact with it. In the context of esthetics and skincare, hydrophilic ingredients are beneficial for increasing moisture retention and hydrating the skin, making them essential in many skincare formulations. In contrast, the other choices describe properties that are not related to hydrophilic. For instance, “water resistant” describes substances that repel water and do not allow it to penetrate, while “oil loving” pertains to lipophilic substances, which prefer oil over water, and “water fearing” indicates a lack of attraction to water, often used to describe hydrophobic properties. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for those in the esthetics field, as it informs product choice and application strategies to optimize skin health and treatment outcomes.