Use of Cosmetics and Adverse Cosmetic Events Among Female Nurses: Need for a Cosmetovigilance System

Cosmetics are known to cause adverse events in users, and there is limited information on this topic both globally and in Türkiye. This study was conducted to assess the use of cosmetics, patterns, and characteristics of adverse cosmetic events (ACEs) among female nurses.

This cross-sectional study was conducted from February to April 2022 among registered female nurses with at least 1 year of work experience in a tertiary care hospital in Adana, Türkiye. A validated questionnaire was used for data collection, which included 13 questions with three main sections. The first part comprised demographic variables and cosmetic uses, the second part addressed ACE, and the final section consisted of consultation types and reporting methods for adverse events adopted after experiencing ACE.

Of the total 158 participants, 144 were included in this study, resulting in a response rate of 91.1%. All female nurses reported using cosmetics, and 26.4% (n= 38) reported experiencing one or more cosmetic ACEs. Itching, burning, and eczema were the most frequently observed ACEs. A higher proportion of ACEs were associated with face care products (18.4%) and deodorants (13.1%). More than half (57.9%) of the nurses did not consult with healthcare professionals after experiencing ACE. Moreover, most participants (47.4%) did not report ACE to healthcare authorities.

A considerable proportion of the participants reported ACEs. The underreporting of ACE was also highlighted in this study. The results also emphasize the need for a robust cosmetovigilance system.