Personal Care Gains Importance Amid Coronavirus

GSK Consumer Health according to a new study conducted by IPSOS, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on people's personal care behaviors and attitudes. The main findings of the study, conducted with 4,400 participants aged 16-75 from Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom, are as follows:  

• The coronavirus pandemic has led Europeans to adopt new daily health habits: 65% of study participants stated that they now consider their health more in their daily decision-making processes.
• A significant proportion of participants from the four countries covered in the study are now taking more precautions to prevent disease transmission: Spain 80%, Italy 79%, United Kingdom 68%, Germany 60%.
• The vast majority of participants believe it is important that they themselves look after their health to ease the burden on health systems: Spain 84%, United Kingdom 77%, Italy 75%, Germany 63%.
• More than 41% of participants now plan to consult pharmacists more frequently for advice on addressing minor health issues.
• Among those intending to stock their medicine cabinets with over-the-counter products as a precaution, the British lead the way (34%), while approximately half of Italians plan to use vitamin products and multivitamins to strengthen their immune systems.
• In addition to preferring trusted brands, it appears that buying science-based products is important for people in all countries surveyed; on average across the four countries, 82% of participants state that products they use must be scientifically proven.

According to a new study conducted by IPSOS for GSK Consumer Health, COVID-19 has increased personal care awareness among individuals while also directing them to make positive changes in their daily lives.

According to the study, participants generally acknowledge that they did not appreciate their health before the COVID-19 pandemic and many now plan to educate themselves better on health matters. As an average across the four countries, 59% of participants now better understand what affects their health, while it appears that a large majority is more likely to consider their health in their daily decision-making processes as a result of COVID-19: Spain 74%, Italy 69%, United Kingdom 62%, Germany 54%.

When asked how they will behave in the future, 77% of participants state that they will stay home as much as possible when they fall ill to avoid transmitting their illness to others. Approximately half of the participants plan to use vitamin products and multivitamins to strengthen their immune systems.

Europeans report they will consult pharmacists more frequently after the pandemic

The majority of people in all countries surveyed believe it is important that they pay attention to their health and look after themselves so as not to burden the health system: Spain 84%, United Kingdom 77%, Italy 75% and Germany 63%. In order to achieve this, the role of pharmacists is becoming increasingly important after the pandemic. 36% of survey participants stated they would first consult their family doctor, polyclinics or emergency services at local hospitals for health issues such as joint pain, headache, skin disorders and colds. On the other hand, more than 41% of people in these four countries indicate their intention to consult a pharmacist for advice on such complaints in the future. As many as 74% of British respondents say they will rely on a pharmacist for advice to help them manage their health, compared to 66% of Spanish, 61% of Italian and 54% of German respondents.

Consumers turn to strong, science-based trusted brands

One-third of British study participants stated they prefer to keep non-prescription preventive medicines in their medicine cabinets as a precaution. The majority of Europeans (81% overall) prioritize trusted brands when choosing non-prescription preventive products: 79% of British, 84% of Spanish, 73% of German and 89% of Italian respondents. Purchasing science-based products is important for the vast majority of people in all countries: 89% of Italians, 86% of Spanish, 81% of British, 73% of German respondents.

Participants emphasize the importance of social distancing in protecting their loved ones and public health in general, as well as the importance of personal care for their own health

Participants indicate that they are now more likely to place greater importance on others' health and encourage those around them to practice responsible personal care. This is particularly evident among Spanish and Italian respondents. Three-quarters of Europeans (75%) are now more concerned with the health of those close to them: Spain 82%, Italy 77%, United Kingdom 75% and Germany 66%. 64% of Europeans state they will encourage others to practice personal care: Spain 74%, Italy 70%, United Kingdom 65% and Germany 48%.