Certified Wound Specialist (CWS) Practice Test 2025 – All-in-One Study Guide to Achieve Exam Success!

Petrolatum is recognized as an effective emollient that can penetrate the skin. It is a semi-solid mixture derived from petroleum that forms a protective barrier on the skin's surface, preventing moisture loss. This occlusive property enhances its ability to maintain skin hydration. While petrolatum may not significantly penetrate the skin layers, its primary function as an emollient is to provide a barrier that reduces transepidermal water loss, thereby improving the skin's moisture content.

Other options serve different purposes; for example, ceramides are lipids that help restore the skin barrier but are not primarily classified as emollients that penetrate effectively. Salicylic acid is mainly used for its keratolytic properties to exfoliate the skin but does not function as an emollient. Hyaluronic acid is known for its ability to attract and retain moisture in the skin but is not classified as an emollient in the sense of providing a hydrating film or barrier like petrolatum does. Each compound has a unique role in skincare, but when it comes to effective emollience and barrier formation, petrolatum stands out.