Facial Skincare Routine Adherence in the General Population

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Public Health
• Social Science

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic increased interest in skincare, with dermatology hashtags trending on social media.
• The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) provides facial cleansing recommendations, but adherence is not well-understood.
• Proper facial cleansing and moisturizing can improve skin hydration and microbiome diversity, benefiting conditions like acne and eczema.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess adherence to AAD facial cleansing recommendations among the general population.
• To evaluate potential gender-based differences in following these skincare practices.

Main Methods:

• A 19-question survey was distributed via email and social media to collect data on demographics, cleansing habits, and motivations.
• Data from 124 participants (91 female, 33 male) were analyzed using SPSS.
• Statistical analysis identified significant differences in practices and motivations between genders.

Main Results:

• Statistically significant gender differences were observed in the use of gentle cleansers, post-wash moisturizer, washing after sweating, and water temperature.
• No significant difference was found in the frequency of face washing between genders.
• Motivations for skincare, including hygiene, beauty, and health, showed significant gender-based variations.

Conclusions:

• Female-identifying individuals demonstrated higher adherence to AAD facial skincare recommendations.
• Self-reported motivations related to hygiene, beauty, and health appear to influence adherence.
• Further research is needed to explore the factors driving these gender-based differences in skincare practices.