North Carolina Cosmetic Arts Practice Exam

What is one method to determine a client's skin type?

1. Skin color assessment

2. Visual examination and skin feel assessments

3. Asking about their age

4. Checking family medical history

The correct answer is: Visual examination and skin feel assessments

The best method to determine a client's skin type is through visual examination and skin feel assessments. This approach allows the practitioner to closely observe the skin's characteristics, such as oiliness or dryness, texture, and any visible conditions. During a visual examination, a practitioner can identify signs of moisture levels, the appearance of pores, and any irregularities that indicate the skin's behavior over time. Assessing how the skin feels — whether it is smooth, rough, tight, or oily — provides valuable information. This tactile and visual assessment helps categorize the skin into types, such as oily, dry, combination, sensitive, or normal. While skin color assessment might provide some information about a client's skin, it does not directly convey the necessary insights into oiliness or dryness. Asking about age or checking family medical history may provide additional context that can affect skincare routines or product selections, but they do not accurately determine skin type in the same way that direct observation and assessments do.