TEXAS ESTHETICIAN LICENSE EXAM 2026–
2027 | TDLR STATE BOARD EXAM PREP &
STUDY GUIDE | WRITTEN & PRACTICAL
EXAM, SKIN CARE, FACIALS & HAIR
REMOVAL
TEXAS ESTHETICIAN LICENSE EXAM 2026–2027 | TDLR STATE BOARD EXAM PREP
& STUDY GUIDE
• This comprehensive exam preparation guide contains 200 practice questions
designed to mirror the actual TDLR written and practical exams, covering all
essential topics in skincare, facials, and hair removal procedures.
• Study this material systematically by completing sections at a time, reviewing
rationales carefully to strengthen your understanding of esthetic principles, then
retake sections to ensure mastery before test day.
Question 1: Which layer of the skin contains sweat glands, oil glands, and hair
follicles?
A) Epidermis
B) Dermis
C) Subcutaneous tissue
D) Stratum corneum
E) Basal layer
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Dermis
Rationale: The dermis is the second layer of skin beneath the epidermis and
contains all the functional structures including sweat glands (eccrine and apocrine),
sebaceous glands (oil glands), and hair follicles. The epidermis is the outermost
layer without these structures, the subcutaneous tissue lies below the dermis, the
stratum corneum is the outermost layer of the epidermis, and the basal layer is the
deepest layer of the epidermis where new cells are produced.
,Question 2: What is the pH level of healthy skin?
A) 3.5 to 4.5
B) 5.5 to 6.5
C) 7.0 to 8.0
D) 2.0 to 3.0
E) 8.5 to 9.5
CORRECT ANSWER: A) 3.5 to 4.5
Rationale: Healthy skin has a naturally acidic pH between 3.5 and 4.5, which is
known as the acid mantle. This protective barrier helps prevent bacterial growth
and maintains skin health. A pH of 5.5 to 6.5 would be slightly more acidic than
normal, 7.0 to 8.0 would be neutral to alkaline which is too high for skin, and 2.0 to
3.0 would be overly acidic and damaging.
Question 3: Which of the following is NOT a primary function of the
epidermis?
A) Protection from pathogens
B) Production of melanin
C) Temperature regulation
D) Vitamin D synthesis
E) Nutrient absorption from blood vessels
CORRECT ANSWER: E) Nutrient absorption from blood vessels
Rationale: The epidermis does not directly absorb nutrients from blood vessels
because it contains no blood vessels itself. Nutrients diffuse up from the dermis
below. The epidermis does protect against pathogens, produce melanin for
pigmentation and UV protection, contribute to temperature regulation through
sweating, and help synthesize vitamin D when exposed to sunlight.
,Question 4: What type of skin condition is characterized by excess sebum
production and visible pores?
A) Dry skin
B) Sensitive skin
C) Oily skin
D) Combination skin
E) Dehydrated skin
CORRECT ANSWER: C) Oily skin
Rationale: Oily skin is characterized by overactive sebaceous glands that produce
excess sebum, resulting in a shiny appearance, enlarged pores, and often acne
breakouts. Dry skin lacks moisture and sebum, sensitive skin reacts easily to
products, combination skin has oily and dry areas, and dehydrated skin lacks water
content but may still produce oil.
Question 5: Which skin type typically has both oily and dry areas?
A) Normal skin
B) Combination skin
C) Sensitive skin
D) Mature skin
E) Acne-prone skin
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Combination skin
Rationale: Combination skin has characteristics of multiple skin types, typically with
an oily T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin) and drier cheeks. Normal skin is balanced,
sensitive skin reacts easily to irritants, mature skin shows signs of aging, and acne-
prone skin experiences breakouts but may be any type.
, Question 6: What is acne vulgaris primarily caused by?
A) Poor hygiene alone
B) Eating greasy foods
C) A combination of excess sebum, dead skin cells, bacteria, and inflammation
D) Sweating excessively
E) Dehydration
CORRECT ANSWER: C) A combination of excess sebum, dead skin cells,
bacteria, and inflammation
Rationale: Acne vulgaris is a multifactorial condition caused by four primary factors:
increased sebum production, follicular hyperkeratinization (dead skin cell buildup),
bacterial colonization (Propionibacterium acnes), and inflammation. While poor
hygiene, diet, sweating, and dehydration may contribute to acne, they are not the
primary causes.
Question 7: Which of the following ingredients is most effective for treating
acne-prone skin?
A) Mineral oil
B) Salicylic acid
C) Glycerin
D) Lanolin
E) Petrolatum
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Salicylic acid
Rationale: Salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) that penetrates pores to
remove excess sebum and dead skin cells, making it highly effective for acne-prone
skin. Mineral oil, glycerin, lanolin, and petrolatum are occlusive or humectant
ingredients that would worsen acne by trapping bacteria and increasing comedone
formation.
2027 | TDLR STATE BOARD EXAM PREP &
STUDY GUIDE | WRITTEN & PRACTICAL
EXAM, SKIN CARE, FACIALS & HAIR
REMOVAL
TEXAS ESTHETICIAN LICENSE EXAM 2026–2027 | TDLR STATE BOARD EXAM PREP
& STUDY GUIDE
• This comprehensive exam preparation guide contains 200 practice questions
designed to mirror the actual TDLR written and practical exams, covering all
essential topics in skincare, facials, and hair removal procedures.
• Study this material systematically by completing sections at a time, reviewing
rationales carefully to strengthen your understanding of esthetic principles, then
retake sections to ensure mastery before test day.
Question 1: Which layer of the skin contains sweat glands, oil glands, and hair
follicles?
A) Epidermis
B) Dermis
C) Subcutaneous tissue
D) Stratum corneum
E) Basal layer
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Dermis
Rationale: The dermis is the second layer of skin beneath the epidermis and
contains all the functional structures including sweat glands (eccrine and apocrine),
sebaceous glands (oil glands), and hair follicles. The epidermis is the outermost
layer without these structures, the subcutaneous tissue lies below the dermis, the
stratum corneum is the outermost layer of the epidermis, and the basal layer is the
deepest layer of the epidermis where new cells are produced.
,Question 2: What is the pH level of healthy skin?
A) 3.5 to 4.5
B) 5.5 to 6.5
C) 7.0 to 8.0
D) 2.0 to 3.0
E) 8.5 to 9.5
CORRECT ANSWER: A) 3.5 to 4.5
Rationale: Healthy skin has a naturally acidic pH between 3.5 and 4.5, which is
known as the acid mantle. This protective barrier helps prevent bacterial growth
and maintains skin health. A pH of 5.5 to 6.5 would be slightly more acidic than
normal, 7.0 to 8.0 would be neutral to alkaline which is too high for skin, and 2.0 to
3.0 would be overly acidic and damaging.
Question 3: Which of the following is NOT a primary function of the
epidermis?
A) Protection from pathogens
B) Production of melanin
C) Temperature regulation
D) Vitamin D synthesis
E) Nutrient absorption from blood vessels
CORRECT ANSWER: E) Nutrient absorption from blood vessels
Rationale: The epidermis does not directly absorb nutrients from blood vessels
because it contains no blood vessels itself. Nutrients diffuse up from the dermis
below. The epidermis does protect against pathogens, produce melanin for
pigmentation and UV protection, contribute to temperature regulation through
sweating, and help synthesize vitamin D when exposed to sunlight.
,Question 4: What type of skin condition is characterized by excess sebum
production and visible pores?
A) Dry skin
B) Sensitive skin
C) Oily skin
D) Combination skin
E) Dehydrated skin
CORRECT ANSWER: C) Oily skin
Rationale: Oily skin is characterized by overactive sebaceous glands that produce
excess sebum, resulting in a shiny appearance, enlarged pores, and often acne
breakouts. Dry skin lacks moisture and sebum, sensitive skin reacts easily to
products, combination skin has oily and dry areas, and dehydrated skin lacks water
content but may still produce oil.
Question 5: Which skin type typically has both oily and dry areas?
A) Normal skin
B) Combination skin
C) Sensitive skin
D) Mature skin
E) Acne-prone skin
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Combination skin
Rationale: Combination skin has characteristics of multiple skin types, typically with
an oily T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin) and drier cheeks. Normal skin is balanced,
sensitive skin reacts easily to irritants, mature skin shows signs of aging, and acne-
prone skin experiences breakouts but may be any type.
, Question 6: What is acne vulgaris primarily caused by?
A) Poor hygiene alone
B) Eating greasy foods
C) A combination of excess sebum, dead skin cells, bacteria, and inflammation
D) Sweating excessively
E) Dehydration
CORRECT ANSWER: C) A combination of excess sebum, dead skin cells,
bacteria, and inflammation
Rationale: Acne vulgaris is a multifactorial condition caused by four primary factors:
increased sebum production, follicular hyperkeratinization (dead skin cell buildup),
bacterial colonization (Propionibacterium acnes), and inflammation. While poor
hygiene, diet, sweating, and dehydration may contribute to acne, they are not the
primary causes.
Question 7: Which of the following ingredients is most effective for treating
acne-prone skin?
A) Mineral oil
B) Salicylic acid
C) Glycerin
D) Lanolin
E) Petrolatum
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Salicylic acid
Rationale: Salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) that penetrates pores to
remove excess sebum and dead skin cells, making it highly effective for acne-prone
skin. Mineral oil, glycerin, lanolin, and petrolatum are occlusive or humectant
ingredients that would worsen acne by trapping bacteria and increasing comedone
formation.
