Prevalence of Over-the-Counter Cosmeceutical Usage and the Impact of a Health Education Intervention in Female Saudi University Students

Background: The reckless use of over-the-counter (OTC) cosmeceuticals among females is alarming due to possible health hazards, ranging from allergy to fatal anaphylaxis and toxicity. Methods: In the current study, we investigated the prevalence of cosmeceutical use among female students at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University (PNU) and tested the effect of a pilot health education program in improving their knowledge. A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was performed with 515 participants. Results: A significantly higher percent (81%) of participants used OTC cosmeceuticals than did not use them. The selection of OTC cosmeceuticals was not affected by socioeconomic status, chronic illness, cosmeceutical cost, or possible cosmeceutical side effects. Students from non-health colleges demonstrated poorer knowledge scores for the hazards of cosmeceuticals, which directed our attention to the importance of health education in this field. Therefore, a pilot interventional health education program was conducted with 54 participants to compare their knowledge before and after the intervention. At the end of the program, a higher percentage of participants had improved their knowledge and realized the need to consult a physician before using OTC cosmeceuticals. Conclusion: The health education program had a significant impact on knowledge concerning the use of cosmeceuticals, and it is recommended that such programs be included in undergraduate extracurricular activity, especially for female students..