Cosmeceutical Usage Behaviour among Young Adults in India: Cosmetovigilance Assessment is Needed

Abstract

The growing demand for cosmeceuticals among young adults has necessitated an understanding of the factors influencing their awareness and usage. This cross-sectional study analyzed the sources of awareness, usage patterns, and perceptions of cosmeceuticals among 171 students of Panjab University, with 24.6% males and 75.4% females. Social media (78.1%) and peer recommendations (56.1%) emerged as the primary sources of awareness, while dermatologists were less frequently consulted (38.2%). Acne or dryness (75.4%) was the most common reason for use, and 39.2% of students reported experiencing adverse effects but did not report them due to lack of awareness or perceived inefficacy. Spending patterns showed that 64.9% of students invested between ₹500 and ₹2,000 per month on cosmeceuticals. These findings highlight the urgent need for targeted awareness campaigns, dermatology-led guidance, and the development of a structured cosmetovigilance system in India to ensure safer and more informed use of cosmeceuticals.