Adolescent personal care product use and social media engagement: a pilot study in NJ high school students.

backgroundPersonal care products (PCPs) are a ubiquitous, modifiable source of chemical exposures. Although numerous studies have characterized behaviors and perceptions around adult PCP use, little is known about PCP use in adolescence, a critical developmental period.

objectiveCharacterize adolescent PCP use in New Jersey, USA in relation to sociodemographic characteristics, precautionary behaviors, and social media consumption.

methodsWith a local high school, we designed and administered a pilot survey to students (n = 143). Students reported on PCP use (within the past 24 h as well as general habits), precautionary behaviors they use when choosing products (e.g., using healthy product apps), and social media habits. For each participant, we tallied the number of products used overall and by product type (e.g., skin care, cosmetics). We fitted multivariable negative binomial models examining the number of products used in relation to precautionary behaviors and social media consumption. Secondarily, we fitted models restricted to females.

resultsFemales used twice as many products as males in the past 24 h (median (inter-quartile range), females: 14(8), males: 7(3)). Although 41% reported avoiding products containing certain chemicals, few students engaged in precautionary behaviors when selecting products, such as reading ingredient lists (19%) or using healthy product apps or websites (5%). In multivariable models, few associations were observed between precautionary behaviors and the number of PCPs used. However, there were consistent positive associations between social media consumption and the number of products used. For example, above median daily time spent on social media (Incidence Rate Ratio [IRR]: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.00, 1.09), following influencers with product lines (IRR:1.30, 95% CI: 1.11, 1.52) and watching hair/beauty tutorials (IRR:1.40, 95% CI: 1.21, 1.63) were associated with greater PCP use in the last 24 h. Results were robust to analyses of occasional PCP use (at least once in the past 6 months) as well as in analyses restricted to females. IMPACT: In adolescents, PCP use was comparable to prior studies among adults, while engagement in precautionary behaviors that could reduce chemical exposures was infrequent. Higher social media engagement was associated with greater PCP use. Interventions leveraging social media and influencers may be an effective strategy to improve environmental health behaviors related to PCP use.