Knowledge and Behavior Regarding Cosmetics in Koreans Visiting Dermatology Clinics

• Published in: Annals of dermatology 2017-04, Vol.29 (2), p.180
• Main Authors: Soyun Cho, Sohee Oh, Nack In Kim, Young Suck Ro, Joung Soo Kim, Young Min Park, Chun Wook Park, Weon Ju Lee, Dong Kun Kim, Dong Won Lee, Sang Jun Lee
• Format: Article
• Language: Korean
• Subjects: Active; Cosmetics; Skin care; Sunscreen
• ISSN: 1013-9087; 2005-3894

Background: Cosmetics can affect the skin condition pro-foundly, and yet no survey has been performed in Koreans visiting dermatology clinics. Objective: To assess knowl-edge and consumer behavior regarding cosmetics in Koreans visiting dermatology clinics. Methods: A questionnaire con-sisting of 43 questions concerning demographics and use/knowledge/selection/purchase of cosmetics was given to patients and accompanying persons who visited dermato-logic clinics in university and private clinic settings. Results: In total 1,015 subjects (73.2% females, mean age 32.5 years) completed the survey. Education level was college or higher in 72.8%. Thirty-one percent had been diagnosed with a skin disorder, atopic dermatitis and seborrheic dermatitis being the most frequent diagnoses (33.7% and 16.8%, respect-tively). The frequency of makeup/sunscreen/functional cos-metics use, amount of sunscreen use, recognition of func-tional cosmetics, and knowledge of shelf life were sig-nificantly correlated with level of education. Among “functional cosmetics,” whitening products were used most frequently (29.2%). Regardless of education level, 79.2% purchased cosmetics without checking ingredients, and 85.7% were unaware of the all-ingredient-labelling regu-lations, and yet subjects considered ingredient the most im-portant factor when purchasing a product. Conclusion: Outpatient subjects in their twenties and thirties are the most knowledgeable about cosmetics in Korea. (Ann Dermatol 29(2) 180∼186, 2017)