Acne Treatment Practices and Patient Preferences for Herbal Products: A Conjoint Analysis

Abstract

This study aims to understand the acne treatment practices and patient preferences, focusing on herbal products and identifying the most and least preferred attributes using conjoint analysis. Five key attributes were evaluated: product form (cream, lotion, gel), expected treatment time (1 week, 2 weeks, 4 weeks), packaging (tube, jar), type of medication (over the counter or prescription), and price (economy, mid-priced, premium). A survey was conducted with 408 respondents using purposive, snowball, and availability sampling methods. Data were analysed using SPSS software through conjoint analysis to determine the cardinal utility of each attribute. Results showed that 50% of respondents used medication for acne, while others relied on home remedies or lifestyle changes. Only 20% reported using herbal products. Among those using acne medication, 46.6% observed noticeable results within one week, and most reported no side effects. While 40% of participants were satisfied with their current treatments, 34.3% expressed dissatisfaction. About 34% of patients preferred herbal acne treatments, showing a liking for products that are applied once daily, white in colour, fragrant, and dispensed in fingertip quantity. The most significant attribute influencing patient preference was treatment time, followed by product form, price, packaging, and medication type. Patients preferred herbal gels that are over the counter, low cost, packaged in jars, and deliver results within a week. These findings provide valuable insights into consumer expectations and can aid in the development of effective, patient friendly herbal acne treatments that align with real world preferences.