Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology
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
By Alharbi HM and Khawaji HO.
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.