Oregon Esthetician State Board Exam Prep 2025 – Complete Practice Resource

Witch Hazel is classified as an antiseptic herb, which makes it the correct choice in this context. It contains tannins, flavonoids, and essential oils that provide significant astringent and antiseptic properties, allowing it to be effective in treating minor skin irritations, reducing inflammation, and cleansing the skin. Its use in topical formulations can help manage various skin conditions, such as acne and minor cuts, by preventing infection and promoting healing.

Comfrey Root is known for its skin-healing properties due to its allantoin content, which helps with tissue repair, but it doesn’t have the antiseptic qualities associated with witch hazel. Cloves contain eugenol which has antimicrobial properties, but they are more often used in aromatherapy and culinary applications rather than as a primary antiseptic herb for skin treatments. Horsechestnut is recognized for its anti-inflammatory properties but does not have significant antiseptic properties like witch hazel does. This clarification helps to understand why witch hazel is classified appropriately as an antiseptic herb.