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. 2016 Jul 18;2(2):e34. doi: 10.2196/publichealth.5390

Table 4.

Types of lifestyle products purchased from the Internet.

Criteria n Frequency, %
Type of products purchased online

Cosmetic 178 55.6

Herbal 60 18.8

Medicinal 38 11.9

Supplementary and nutrition 92 28.8

Others (drugs/legal highs, essential oils, condoms) 88 27.5
Availability of products ordered online in community pharmacies/stores

Yes 171 53.4

No 149 46.6
Reasons for buying products online

Quick/time saving 15 4.69

Cheap 83 25.9

Easy 48 15

Convenient 83 25.9

More details on product than ones provided by the pharmacist 2 0.63

No need for embarrassment of communicating with pharmacist 6 1.88

Lack of availability of products in stores 9 2.81

Not able to get prescription for some products 3 0.94

Wide variety of products and offers 2 0.63

Ability to purchase illegal drugs 1 0.31

Better quality products 1 0.31
Cognitive function

Caffeine 62 19.4

Natural memory enhancers 20 6.25

Nootropics 7 2.19

Others (multivitamins, cod liver oil, stimulant drugs) 4 1.25

Total 93 29.1
Mood and social behavior

Antidepressants 18 5.63

Mood enhancers 19 5.94

Sleep aids 50 15.63

Highs 19 5.94

Others (psychedelics, anxiolytics, addiction management, pain management) 5 1.56

Total 111 34.7
Physical appearance

Acne products


Creams/ointments/gels 95 29.7

Solutions 12 3.75

Tablets 42 13.1

Hair products


Hair loss 9 2.81

Cream/gel 48 15

Shampoo 96 30

Tablet 17 5.31

Hair dye 50 15.6

Other (nail polish, mascara, deodorant, perfume, lip balm, herbal products, protein shapes, make-up, shampoo) 17 5.31

Total 237 74.1
Muscle enhancers

Proteins 49 15.3

Steroids 3 0.94

Total 52 16.3
Skin products

Moisturizers 140 43.8

Skin lighteners 10 3.13

Sunscreens 55 17.2

Tanning solutions 43 13.4

Other (foundation, body scrub, body oil) 5 1.56

Total 253 79.1
Weight-loss products

Appetite suppressants 20 6.25

Fat binders 16 5

Herbal products 42 13.1

Other (juices and meal replacement, diet shakes, diet pill) 6 1.88

Total 84 26.3
Sexual stimulants

Condom products 44 13.8

Herbal products 12 3.75

Libido enhancers 6 1.88

Viagra 7 2.19

Cialis 3 0.94

Levitra 4 1.25

Total 76 23.8