Usage patterns of personal care products: Important factors for exposure assessment

Complete information regarding the use of personal care products (PCPs) by consumers is limited, but such information is crucial for realistic consumer exposure assessment. To fill this gap, a database was created with person-oriented information regarding usage patterns and circumstances of use for 32 different PCPs. Out of 2700 potential participants from the Netherlands, 516 men and women completed a digital questionnaire. The prevalence of use varied by gender, age, level of education and skin type. A high frequency of use was observed for some products (e.g. lip care products), while toothpaste, deodorant and day cream were generally used once or twice a day. The frequency of use for other PCPs varied over a wide range. The amounts of use varied largely between and within different product groups. Body lotion, sunscreen and after sun lotion were often applied on adjacent body parts. The majority of PCPs were applied in the morning, but some products, such as night cream and after sun, were predominantly applied in the evening or night. As expected, the participants used several PCPs simultaneously. The database yields important personalized exposure factors which can be used in aggregate consumer exposure assessment for substances that are components of PCPs.

► In addition to usage patterns, circumstances of use (e.g. the presence of ventilation) are incorporated in this study. ► The prevalence, frequency and amount of product used as well as the area of application on the body vary by gender and age. ► Approximately 10% of the respondents did not use deodorant or toothpaste in the last 6 months. ► Young users (age 18-39) use shaving foam/gel/oil/soap less frequently compared to senior users (age 55-71). ► The data from this study are suitable for person-oriented modelling of consumer exposure to personal care products.