Which term describes the protective layer formed by oil and sweat on the skin surface?

Which term describes the protective layer formed by oil and sweat on the skin surface?

• A. Medulla
• B. Acid mantle
• C. Arrector Pili
• D. Sebaceous Glands

Answer: (B)

The protective film on the skin surface formed by oil and sweat is the acid mantle. This thin layer comes from sebum mixed with sweat and helps keep the skin slightly acidic, which slows bacterial growth while also helping to retain moisture so the skin stays flexible. For hairstyling contexts, preserving this barrier is important because harsh cleansers or over-washing can strip it away, leading to dryness or irritation on the scalp. The other terms refer to different skin or hair features: the medulla is the inner part of the hair shaft, arrector pili are the tiny muscles that make hair stand up, and sebaceous glands produce oil but do not themselves constitute the protective surface film.

The protective film on the skin surface formed by oil and sweat is the acid mantle. This thin layer comes from sebum mixed with sweat and helps keep the skin slightly acidic, which slows bacterial growth while also helping to retain moisture so the skin stays flexible. For hairstyling contexts, preserving this barrier is important because harsh cleansers or over-washing can strip it away, leading to dryness or irritation on the scalp. The other terms refer to different skin or hair features: the medulla is the inner part of the hair shaft, arrector pili are the tiny muscles that make hair stand up, and sebaceous glands produce oil but do not themselves constitute the protective surface film.