L’Oréal Research & Innovation and Data Mining International have published a study confirming that skin pigmentation disorders negatively influence the quality of life for Japanese women.

Using Data Mining International’s patented BeautyQoL instrument, the researchers were able to score the effect of cosmetic concerns on five dimensions that make-up overall quality of life, namely social life, self-confidence, mood, energy and attractiveness.

The study found that mood was the most affected by skin tone problems, and that Japanese women who suffer from dark spots and skin tone problems tend to report a lower quality of life overall.