Relationship between Self-Perceived Acne Severity and Cosmetic Usage Patterns and Types among Women in Their 20s and 30s

This study was conducted from August 1 to 31, 2025, to investigate the relationship between acne severity and the usage patterns of acne cosmetics among women in their 20s and 30s. A total of 293 completed questionnaires were analyzed using frequency analysis and chi-square tests via SPSSWIN 21.0. Results indicated no significant age-related differences in ingredient checking, purchase considerations, product type, usage frequency, or experience of adverse effects. However, product type usage varied by age: women aged 20~24 and 25~29 most frequently used facial cleansing products, whereas those aged 30~34 and 35~39 primarily used facial basic skincare products. By acne grade, significant differences were observed in purchase considerations and adverse effect experiences, while ingredient checking, product type, and usage frequency were not significant. The most frequently used products differed by acne severity, with grades 1, 3, and 4~6 favoring facial basic skincare products and grade 2 preferring facial cleansing products. These findings are limited by the short-term survey and the specific sample of women aged 20~30, which restricts generalizability. Future research should include broader age groups, regions, and genders, and employ longitudinal tracking and objective skin assessments to more accurately examine the relationships between acne cosmetic usage, effectiveness, and adverse effects. Additionally, experimental studies linking product ingredients with usage patterns may provide foundational data for developing personalized acne management strategies.