title: Knowledge and Behavior Regarding Cosmetics in Koreans Visiting Dermatology Clinics.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cosmetics can affect the skin condition profoundly, and yet no survey has been performed in Koreans visiting dermatology clinics.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess knowledge and consumer behavior regarding cosmetics in Koreans visiting dermatology clinics.
  
  
  METHODS
  A questionnaire consisting of 43 questions concerning demographics and use/knowledge/selection/purchase of cosmetics was given to patients and accompanying persons who visited dermatologic clinics in university and private clinic settings.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total 1,015 subjects (73.2% females, mean age 32.5 years) completed the survey. Education level was college or higher in 72.8%. Thirty-one percent had been diagnosed with a skin disorder, atopic dermatitis and seborrheic dermatitis being the most frequent diagnoses (33.7% and 16.8%, respectively). The frequency of makeup/sunscreen/functional cosmetics use, amount of sunscreen use, recognition of functional cosmetics, and knowledge of shelf life were significantly correlated with level of education. Among "functional cosmetics," whitening products were used most frequently (29.2%). Regardless of education level, 79.2% purchased cosmetics without checking ingredients, and 85.7% were unaware of the all-ingredient-labelling regulations, and yet subjects considered ingredient the most important factor when purchasing a product.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Outpatient subjects in their twenties and thirties are the most knowledgeable about cosmetics in Korea.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, SMG-SNU Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Soyun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics, SMG-SNU Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Sohee
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Kyung Hee University Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Nack In
authors.initials: NI
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Hanyang University Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Young Suck
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Ro
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Hanyang University Guri Hospital, Guri, Korea.
authors.forename: Joung Soo
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, The Catholic University Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Young Min
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Hallym University Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Chun Wook
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: Weon Ju
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: DK Skin Clinic, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Dong Kun
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: CNP Skin Laser Clinic, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Dong Won
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Arumdaun Nara Clinic, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Sang Jun
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Lee
keywords: Active; Cosmetics; Skin care; Sunscreen