Socioeconomic factors influencing cosmetic usage patterns

Area of Science:

• Cosmetic Science
• Public Health
• Dermatology

Background:

• Daily exposure to cosmetic chemicals is common, yet Asian exposure levels are understudied.
• Understanding cosmetic usage patterns is crucial for assessing potential health risks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the usage patterns of various cosmetic products among Koreans.
• To analyze the prevalence and frequency of cosmetic use in relation to demographic and socioeconomic factors.

Main Methods:

• An online survey was conducted with 1,800 participants (males and females aged 15-59) across five major South Korean cities.
• Data collected included types of cosmetics used, frequency of application, and demographic information.
• Statistical analysis was performed to identify associations between usage patterns and participant characteristics.

Main Results:

• Cosmetic usage was significantly higher in females (30.7%) than males (7.1%).
• Perfume was the most used cosmetic by males (46.3%), while lipstick was most used by females (82.8%).
• Monthly cosmetic application frequency averaged 22.7 times for males and 24.8 times for females.

Conclusions:

• Cosmetic usage patterns in Koreans differ significantly based on sex, age, occupation, and income.
• This study provides valuable data on cosmetic exposure in a large Asian population.