COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown-Is It Affecting Our Skin Hygiene and Cosmetic Practice?

Background: Orders such as self-isolation, quarantine, social distancing, and lockdown implemented as a protective measure against COVID-19 has allowed people to devote their excess leisure time to their appearance, cosmetics, and hygiene.

Objective: To assess the skin care routine regarding hygiene and cosmetic practices among female users of social media during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Method: A cross-sectional study was done among 300 female social media users using purposive sampling. A self-administered questionnaire that included questions related to hygiene practices such as hand washing, use of hand sanitizers, bathing, hair washing, and use of certain cosmetics before and during the pandemic was used to collect all relevant data.

Result: Handwashing after returning home and shaking hands with others increased during the pandemic as compared with prior practices. The frequency of using a hand sanitizer had also increased during the pandemic. There was a statistically significant decrease in the frequency of the hair removal and visits to beauty salons during the pandemic. Cosmetics were used less, although face creams and lip balm were used more. Even though most of our respondents thought pandemic practices were convenient to use, more than half of them said they wished to go back to their pre-pandemic routines once the pandemic was over.

Conclusion: The study revealed an increase in washing behavior, use of facial cream, and lip balms. Moreover, a decrease in using make-up cosmetics, hair removal, and beauty salon visits during the pandemic.