Which ointment base is occlusive and water-immiscible?

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Multiple Choice

Which ointment base is occlusive and water-immiscible?

Explanation:
Occlusion means the base forms a film on the skin that reduces water loss, and water-immiscible means the base does not mix with water. Oleaginous ointment bases are entirely oil-based and form a greasy, water-repellent layer, so they create a strong barrier on the skin and do not dissolve in or mix with water. That combination—forming a surface film while remaining water-insoluble—is why oleaginous bases are both occlusive and water-immiscible. In contrast, water-soluble and water-removable bases interact with water and do not provide the same occlusive barrier, and absorption bases can incorporate some water, so they’re not strictly water-immiscible.

Occlusion means the base forms a film on the skin that reduces water loss, and water-immiscible means the base does not mix with water. Oleaginous ointment bases are entirely oil-based and form a greasy, water-repellent layer, so they create a strong barrier on the skin and do not dissolve in or mix with water. That combination—forming a surface film while remaining water-insoluble—is why oleaginous bases are both occlusive and water-immiscible. In contrast, water-soluble and water-removable bases interact with water and do not provide the same occlusive barrier, and absorption bases can incorporate some water, so they’re not strictly water-immiscible.

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