______ do not absorb water, but absorb limited amounts of alcoholic solutions.

• A. Oleaginous/Hydrocarbon base
• B. Hydrophilic ointment
• C. Water-removable bases
• D. Eucerin

Answer: (A)

Oleaginous (hydrocarbon) bases are nonpolar and water-insoluble. Because water and oil are immiscible, these bases do not absorb water. Alcoholic solutions, however, can partition into the oil phase only to a limited extent, so they are absorbed only in small amounts. That combination—no water uptake but limited uptake of alcoholic solutions—fits oleaginous bases well.

Hydrophilic ointment bases, as well as water-removable bases, are designed to interact with aqueous solutions and readily absorb water, which is why they don’t match the statement. Eucerin-type bases are emulsified or more water-compatible than pure hydrocarbon bases, so they don’t illustrate the same water-insoluble behavior.