Utah Esthetics Written State Practice Exam

The correct answer is hyaluronic acid, which acts as a vital component found between collagen and elastin in the extracellular matrix of connective tissues. This substance is a type of glycosaminoglycan that helps retain moisture and provides cushioning to the skin. Hyaluronic acid plays a critical role in maintaining skin hydration and elasticity, promoting a plump and youthful appearance. Its ability to hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water makes it essential for tissue hydration, which is particularly important for the structural integrity of the skin where collagen and elastin fibers provide support and elasticity. In contrast, keratin is a fibrous protein that forms the structural framework of hair and nails, and it is not found in the same context as collagen and elastin in the skin's support structure. Collagenase is an enzyme that breaks down collagen, and while proteoglycans support the structural framework, they do not have the same direct moisture-retaining capability as hyaluronic acid, making hyaluronic acid the most appropriate answer in this context.