Acne-affected skin requires appropriate management methods because scarring occurs due to incorrect management and treatment. Recently, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) revised and announced the symptom relief product for acne-affected skin...
Acne-affected skin requires appropriate management methods because scarring occurs due to incorrect management and treatment. Recently, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) revised and announced the symptom relief product for acne-affected skin as a functional cosmetic.
Therefore, this study examined the relationship between acne knowledge and cosmetic satisfaction according to age and stages of acne among women in their 20s and 30s who directly purchase acne-relieving cosmetics and are highly interested in the management of acne-affected skin.
The survey tool consisted of a total of 53 questions: stages of acne, knowledge, characteristics of occurrence, management method, actual use of cosmetics, types of products used, and satisfaction with use.
This study surveyed women in their 20s and 30s from February 16 to March 18, 2022. Among the collected data, 16 copies with poor responses were excluded, and 304 copies were finally selected and analyzed through the SPSS/WIN 21.0 program. This study tested the reliability and validity of the survey tool through factor analysis and performed the descriptive statistical analysis, including frequency analysis. In addition, for group comparison, one-way ANOVA, Scheffe's post-hoc test, t-test, cross-analysis (-test), and correlation analysis were performed. Finally, the hypothesis was tested through multiple regression analysis between independent and dependent factors. Thus, this study led to the following results.
First, according to the results of descriptive statistics, the highest frequency of the survey subjects was found to be '30-34 years old, office worker, 4-year university graduate, and monthly income of 2 million won or more.' In addition, the results of the analysis showed that the respondents' knowledge of acne and satisfaction with cosmetics were high. In response to the occurrence characteristics of acne occurrence and management variables, the highest frequency was found in the categories of 'acne cosmetic use, combination skin type, distribution on the chin, occurrence under 20 years of age, irregular, stage 1, comedon.'
In response to the management method, the items of 'use of hands or instruments, self-management, and the day on which pimples occurred' were frequently selected.
Regarding the actual use of cosmetics, it was found that the frequency of responses was high in 'products for face washing, acne relief, internet information acquisition, less than 20,000 to 50,000 won/month, daily use.‘ When respondents selected cosmetics, the items of ‘quality and function, no experience of side effects, and preference for tea-tree ingredients’ had a high frequency. In response to product use type, the frequency of selecting 'cleansing foam, skin, sunscreen' was high for the face, and 'body wash, body lotion' was selected more frequently for the body.
Second, according to the relationship between age and knowledge, a statistically significant difference was confirmed among the age groups, which included 'all knowledge of acne' and the sub-factor 'causes of occurrence and causes of exacerbation.' In the relationship among age, acne occurrence, and management variables, the characteristics of acne occurrence showed a significant difference in 'acne product use, skin type, and time of occurrence.' There was a significant difference among the groups in terms of 'face-only basic products' as the age increased.
Third, according to the research results on the relationship between the stages of acne and the degree of acne knowledge, it was confirmed that stage 2 subjects were more aware of the causes, basic knowledge, management, and treatment of acne than stage 1 subjects. In addition, according to the study results on the difference in the characteristics of acne occurrence, Stage 1 subjects scored higher than stage 2 subjects. Stage 1 subjects were found to have lesions with a high frequency of comedon and irregular acne occurrence and progression. On the other hand, stage 2 subjects had a high frequency of response that they had a persistent and papule lesion. According to the results of the study on the difference in acne management methods, in the 'number of acne management, the stage 1 subjects responded 'the day the pimples appeared,' whereas the stage 2 subjects selected the answers such as the 'the days when the pimples appeared' and ' about twice a week' was the most common answer. According to the results of the study on the difference in the actual use of cosmetics, in terms of the purchase cost (per month), the stage 2 subjects had higher purchase costs than the stage 1 subjects. According to the results of the study on the difference in user satisfaction, it was found that the stage 2 subjects preferred basic body products more, which showed a statistically significant difference.
Fourth, according to the correlation between the knowledge level of acne and the satisfaction with using cosmetics, the positive (+) correlation was significantly high in the order of 'cause of occurrence, cause of exacerbation, basic knowledge, management, and treatment', which are sub-factors of acne knowledge level.
Fifth, the results of multiple regression analysis suggested that acne knowledge according to age and stages of acne did not affect cosmetic use satisfaction.
Of the acne knowledge factors, only the 'age effect' sub-factor and the 'basic knowledge' sub-factor were found to have a somewhat significant effect on satisfaction with cosmetics use. Thus, this study showed that women in their 20s and 30s had a very high correlation between acne knowledge and satisfaction with use. However, it was confirmed that age and stages of acne did not affect cosmetic use satisfaction. Acne knowledge was found to affect cosmetic use satisfaction in some age groups and sub-factors of 'basic knowledge.' The results suggest that women in their 20s and 30s are very interested in cosmetics regardless of the stages of acne and age and feel the need to use acne-relieving cosmetics. Therefore, this study has significance in providing the correct selection criteria for acne-relieving cosmetics and the need for knowledge on acne management methods.