The gravity of environmental pollution is widely recognized all over the world, and pursuit of environment-friendly wellbeing is increasingly prevailing. Accordingly, organic cosmetics draw growing attention from the public, and their market share is ...
The gravity of environmental pollution is widely recognized all over the world, and pursuit of environment-friendly wellbeing is increasingly prevailing. Accordingly, organic cosmetics draw growing attention from the public, and their market share is steadily on the rise.
Organic cosmetics that are on the market are mostly imported from abroad, which are respectively approved by the USDA of the United States, France's ECOCERT, Germany's BDIH, and the Soil Association of England. In our country, guidelines about organic cosmetics that are based on the foreign approval systems have been introduced and applied since January, 2010.
The purpose of this study was to examine the awareness of consumers about organic cosmetics, their use of the cosmetics, preference and problems with the cosmetics in an effort to provide information on the steadily growing organic cosmetic market.
The subjects in this study were adults who were in their 20s to 50s and resided in Seoul, Gyeonggi Province and South Chungcheong Province. The collected data were analyzed with a SPSS(Statistical Package for the Social Science) WIN 13.0 program. Statistical data on frequency and percentage were obtained to find out their general characteristics, and t-test, one-way ANOVA and x2(Chi-square) test were utilized to grasp their choice of organic cosmetics, shopping orientation and awareness.
The major findings of the study were as follows:
First, as for awareness of organic cosmetics, most of the consumers investigated weren't well aware of the cosmetics. Many viewed them as cosmetics that didn't contain any synthetic preservative, perfume or coloring matters. They judged whether particular cosmetics were organic or not according to the explanations of their labels.
Second, concerning the use of organic cosmetics, the majority that accounted for 72.6 percent had never used organic cosmetics. The most widely used organic products were soaps, followed by emulsion, toner, products for body, shampoo and conditioner. As to the length of use, the largest group of the adults used organic cosmetics for three to less than six months. Whether those who had ever used the cosmetics continued to use them was checked, and 52.4 percent didn't do that since they fell short of their expectations. As for the intention of reuse, 69.2 percent had an intention to purchase organic cosmetics again.
Third, regarding places for the purchase of organic cosmetics, the largest group bought them at specialty cosmetic shops, followed by skincare clinics, department stores and online shopping malls. By age, the older consumers purchased more organic cosmetics at specialty shops, and the younger ones did that at online shopping malls. The reasonable price of organic cosmetics(cream) was considered to be less than 30 to 50 thousand won each, and the consumers whose monthly family income were higher considered higher price to be more reasonable.
Fourth, as to the reliability of organic cosmetics on the market, they didn't put a lot of confidence in the products, ads, containers and labels. In regard to the safety of organic and nonorganic cosmetics, the greatest group didn't think there were any particular gaps between the two.
Fifth, in terms of preference for organic cosmetics, they had a preference for domestic brands on the ground that they were trustworthy, and they pointed out the safety of organic products as their benefit. As for what improvements should be made, they replied that organic cosmetics should be trustworthy first of all.
The above-mentioned findings suggested that the production of more safe organic cosmetics and the utilization of the right guidelines will serve to heighten the reliability of domestic organic cosmetics. So there will be a brighter future for the organic cosmetic market if reliable cosmetics are supplied. This study is expected to provide basic information on organic cosmetics to step up R&D efforts for those products and the preparation of differentiated marketing strategies to expedite the development of the market.