The Impact of Sebum and Pore Size on Consumer Perceptions of Skin Yellowness Among Young Chinese Consumers

Perceived skin yellowness is a common skin concern among consumers in China. Existing cosmetic solutions focus on whitening and anti-aging, while the causes of perceived skin yellowness in young consumers are unclear. This study investigated how sebum amount and pore size influence the perception of skin yellowness in young Chinese consumers.

This study had two phases. Phase 1 involved capturing photographs and measuring skin parameters every 2 h over a 12-h period in Chinese women aged 18-35 years with dry (n = 31) or oily skin (n = 33). For Phase 2, representative images of four Phase 1 oily skin participants (two fair- and two dark-skinned) were modified using artificial intelligence (AI) gradient processing based on three test parameters: pore size, sebum amount, and pore size + sebum amount. Respondents (n = 200) assessed the test parameters' influence on skin yellowness using these images.

In Phase 1, individual typology angle (ITA°) decreased as sebum production increased over the 12-h for both skin groups, with a stronger correlation in the oily skin group. In Phase 2, perceptions of skin yellowness increased with increasing sebum amount and pore size + sebum amount. This result was more prominent with dark skin tones. Pore size alone modestly affected perceived skin yellowness.

Sebum and, to a lesser extent, pore size increased the skin yellowness perception among young Chinese consumers. These findings enhance the understanding of skin yellowness in younger people and will aid in developing future cosmetic solutions for these concerns.