What level of decontamination does a product containing antiseptic typically reach?

A product containing antiseptic typically achieves the level of sanitation. Sanitation refers to the process of reducing the number of microorganisms to a level that is considered safe according to public health standards. Antiseptics are designed to inhibit the growth of bacteria and other pathogens on living tissues, which is essential for maintaining safe and healthy skin treatments in esthetics.

Cleansing is the removal of dirt, oil, and makeup but does not necessarily affect the number of pathogens. Disinfection involves the use of agents that eliminate many or all pathogenic microorganisms but may not be effective against spores, making it a more robust level than what antiseptics accomplish. Sterilization, on the other hand, is the complete destruction of all microorganisms, including spores, which goes beyond what antiseptics can do. Therefore, antiseptics are aligned with sanitation, making it the correct choice.