Global survey shows strong impact of pandemic on skincare routines and skin health

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has changed hand hygiene practices globally. This survey reports the facial skincare habits and routines, with a focus on facial cleansing, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: An online survey including 10,100 men and women aged 18-65 years from 23 countries and 4 continents was conducted in April 2021. 500 individuals per country (except 150 respondents from Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark) were selected using the quota method to ensure a gender, age and region representation reflective of the countries’ populations. Results: The survey response indicated 28.6% of participants noticed a change to their facial skin health because of the COVID-19 pandemic, with 15.2% indicating their skin health was worse. The pandemic changed the facial cleansing routine for 63.9%, with 24.4% cleansing more often and 15.2% cleansing longer. More subjects (14.9%) indicated they began to use products gentler for skin while only 5.3% used harsher products ‘to get rid of germs.’ Most participants (68.9%) did not a consult a dermatologist, either at their practice or virtually, in the year prior to the survey. When asked what behavior increased in the previous year compared with before, 47.3% turned to online content from social media/influencers for skincare content and advice. Information specifically on face cleansing routines was sourced largely from worth of mouth (26.5%), social media/influencers (20.6%), among other sources. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic is associated with a change in facial cleansing routines. Individuals are turning more to online, social media content for skincare advice.