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Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Towards the Harmful Effects of Cosmetics: A Cross-Sectional Study Among Undergraduate Female Students at Umm Al-Qura University, Saudi Arabia

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Background: Cosmetic products are widely used among women in Saudi Arabia, yet certain ingredients pose dermatological and systemic health risks. Despite Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) regulation, consumer awareness and precautionary behavior remain poorly characterized in high-use populations. Objective: To assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding the harmful effects of cosmetics among female undergraduate students at Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia, and to identify factors associated with cosmetic-use behavior. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to June 2025 using a self-administered electronic questionnaire adapted from validated KAP instruments, comprising 29 items (12 knowledge, 5 attitude, and 11 practice items, plus one item on previous cosmetic-related skin problems) rated on a five-point Likert agreement scale. Internal consistency was acceptable to good (knowledge, Cronbach's α = 0.73; the combined attitude and practice items after reverse-coding, α = 0.75). Responses from 549 participants were analyzed using Fisher's exact test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Tukey's post-hoc test, and multivariable regression; significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Participants were aged 17-30 years (17-20: 41.2%; 21-25: 56.5%; 26-30: 2.4%). Cosmetic use was prevalent (92.3%), and 48.3% reported at least one adverse effect, most commonly skin breakouts including acne. Only 52.1% recognized allergenic and 32.8% potentially carcinogenic ingredients; 33.3% performed an allergy patch test and 41.2% read ingredient lists. Age (p < 0.001) and marital status (p = 0.004) were associated with usage intensity. Endorsement of influencer recommendations, a minority behavior (38.1% agreed; 42.4% disagreed), was independently associated with purchase of expensive cosmetics (adjusted odds ratio 1.59, 95% CI 1.08-2.33, p = 0.019); no factor was associated with patch testing. Conclusion: Safety awareness did not consistently translate into precautionary behavior, revealing a knowledge-practice gap among young Saudi women. Targeted education should strengthen ingredient-level literacy and cosmetovigilance engagement.

Source: Clinical Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology

DOI: 10.2147/ccid.s632711

Authors: Hanan M Alharbi, Huda Othman Khawaji

Institution: Umm al-Qura University

Language: English

Topic: Contact Dermatitis and Allergies

Subfield: Dermatology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,836