Dry skin affects four in five Japanese

The winter months are the driest months in Japan, causing many people problems with dry skin and brings a rise in the sales in humidifiers. To see what the average Japanese suffers from and how they cope, MyVoice looked at prevention of dry skin problems.

Demographics

Over the first five days of December 2008 15,073 members of the MyVoice internet community completed a private online questionnaire. 54% of the sample were female, 2% in their teens, 15% in their twenties, 36% in their thirties, 29% in their forties, and 18% aged fifty or older. Sadly, the answers were not broken down by sex.

I get really bad dry skin in Japan, although to what extent it is from the dry air, from aging, or just from taking more care now I’m married, I couldn’t say. My hands suffer the most, and the creams I use are just my wife’s left-overs!

I also have psoriasis on a couple of spots on my legs, but that doesn’t really count as dry skin. Interesting statistics about it is that it is the most common dematological complaint in most Western countries, but Japanese are 100 times less likely to suffer from it that us whities, although my excellent doctor says the reason is not known; it’s some combination of genetics, lack of sunlight, and being an island race that increases risk factors.

Although this survey does not look at the topic specifically, one of the most popular skin protection methods, from the effects of not just dryness, but also aging, in Japan is collagen drinks, collagen creams and collagen-rich foods. I always felt the effectiveness was overblown, so I was pleased to a story in the Japan Times saying it is indeed a waste of money! (Via Japan Probe).

Another rumour that seems to be doing the rounds is that young people should use cosmetics aimed at those in their fifties or so.

Research results

Q1: Do you feel you have dry skin? (Sample size=15,073)

All year round	16.7%
Depending on the season	64.6%
Never	18.6%

Q2: Where do you feel dry skin? (Sample size=15,073, multiple answer)

Lips	44.3%
Around mouth	43.2%
Legs	39.9%
Hands	38.9%
Heel	37.4%
Around eyes	27.3%
Elbows	26.7%
Arms	22.0%
U-zone	14.4%
Back	13.7%
Around nose	10.0%
Forehead	7.9%
Bottom	7.1%
Chest	3.4%
Other	3.4%
Don’t feel dry skin anywhere	12.2%
No answer	1.0%

The “U-zone” is a new term to me, but it appears to be a U-shaped area from below (or including) the eyes, down the cheeks and meeting on the chin.

I’m not sure why 18.6% said they never had dry skin in Q1, but then only 12.2% gave the similar answer in Q2!

Q3: What counter-measures do you take for your own dry skin issues? (Sample size=those with dry skin from Q2, multiple answer)

Use skin care products	80.7%
Use bath salts	23.5%
Use a humidifier	15.0%
Take supplements	8.2%
Watch what I eat	6.2%
Do exercise	4.7%
Improve my rhythm of life	4.0%
Use a face steamer, etc	3.2%
Visit an esthetician, etc	2.2%
Other	2.5%
Don’t take any particular counter-measures	13.7%
No answer	0.5%

Q4: Are these counter-measures effective? (Sample size=those who take counter-measures from Q3)

Feel a great benefit	6.3%
Feel some benefit	57.7%
Can’t say either way	25.4%
Don’t really feel much benefit	8.7%
Don’t feel any benefit at all	0.6%
No answer	1.3%

Q5: What kinds of skin care products do you use? (Sample size=those who use skin care products from Q3, multiple answer)

Hand cream	65.7%
Lip balm	61.9%
Lotion	60.3%
Milky lotion	45.1%
Body cream	33.4%
Soap, body soap	23.1%
Beauty fluid, essence	22.6%
Other particular body zone cream	10.9%
Face pack	8.9%
Oil	8.7%
Water spray	5.2%
Other	3.1%
No answer	0.8%

Q6: Why did you choose these skin care products in Q5? (Sample size=those who use skin care products from Q3, multiple answer)

Suits my skin	41.6%
Effect, function	40.1%
Feeling in use	34.4%
Ease of use	33.9%
Cost/performance	32.5%
Ingredients	25.1%
Cheapness	20.6%
Whether free from additives	13.9%
Friends, family evaluation	12.8%
Smell	12.7%
Trust in manufacturer, vendor	11.9%
Advertisement image	10.6%
Web site, word of mouth evaluation	9.2%
Volume of contents	7.0%
Manufacturer, vendor brand strength, name recognition	6.9%
Breadth of product line	5.8%
Package design	4.8%
Country of manufacture	3.5%
Magazine column evaluation	3.0%
Specialist recommendation	2.1%
Famous name who appears in advertising material	1.0%
Other	1.7%
Nothing in particular	8.1%
No answer	0.8%

Q7: What counter-measures would you want to use, continue to use in the future? (Sample size=those with dry skin from Q2, multiple answer)

Use skin care products	62.5%
Use bath salts	25.9%
Use a humidifier	18.6%
Watch what I eat	15.7%
Take supplements	15.1%
Improve my rhythm of life	14.1%
Do exercise	12.9%
Use a face steamer, etc	9.2%
Visit an esthetician, etc	5.5%
Other	1.7%
Don’t want to take any particular measures	17.3%
No answer	2.6%