TITLE:
Sensitive Skin in China
AUTHORS:
Miranda A. Farage, Christian P. Mandl, Enzo Berardesca, Howard I. Maibach
KEYWORDS:
Sensitive Skin; Genital Skin, ; Irritation; Skin Sensitivity; Stinging; Erythema; Feminine Hygiene; Fabrics; Sensory
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Cosmetics, Dermatological Sciences and Applications,
Vol.2 No.3,
September
18,
2012
ABSTRACT: Background: Many consumers in the USA and Europe define themselves as having sensitive skin, a phenomenon whose etiology appears to include both physiological and psychosocial factors. Objectives: Sensitive skin data from the developing world is sparse. This study evaluates the prevalence and characteristics of sensitive skin in China and compares data collected to existing data from the western world. Patients/Materials/Methods: A total of 408 Chinese women voluntarily completed a survey on sensitive skin. Results: Some degree of skin sensitivity was claimed by 94 (23%) of respondents; most (90.4%) said their skin was only slightly or moderately sensitive. Facial sensitivity was claimed by 21% of Chinese women, sensitivity of the body surface by 9% and genital sensitivity by only 6%. Small numbers of respondents reported a history of skin allergy (3%) or a familial history of sensitive skin (2%). Many reported making buying decisions based on product claims. Conclusions: Only 23% of Chinese women claimed any degree of sensitive skin, a prevalence substantially lower than that observed in most Western countries. Sensitivity of the genital skin, in particular, was dramatically lower, suggesting at least some cultural component to perceptions of sensitive skin.