Severity of Acne and Use of Cosmetics in Adult Men

Purpose: This study aimed to collect basic data to educate adult men about the importance of skincare and to direct product research and development by identifying the use patterns of acne-only cosmetics in adult men based on the severity of their acne.Method: A nationwide online survey of 300 adult men in their 20s to 40s with acne-prone skin was conducted. The questionnaire had 36 questions in total, and questions related to acne occurrence and recognition level were evaluated using photos representing grades 1 to 6 of the Korean acne severity system listed in the Skin Science Journal, and data analysis was performed using the statistical package SPSS/WIN 23.0.Results: The longer the acne progression period, the higher the acne level. The skincare regimen involved acne-only cosmetics although studies have shown that the effectiveness of cosmetics is inadequate. Furthermore, in the acne group with low acne level, participants did not use dedicated cosmetics or take care of their skin because the cost was prohibitive and the problem was likely to worsen.Conclusion: This study provided insights on adult men's perceptions of acne-prone skin care and use of acne-only cosmetics based on the severity of acne. Further research by experts is required to confirm these findings.