Influence of Vehicles on Penetration Through Human Epidermis of Benzyl Alcohol, Isoeugenol and Methyl Isoeugenol

Abstract

The influence of 5 liquid, 6 cosmetic and 2 ointment vehicles on the penetration of benzyl alcohol, isoeugenol and methyl isoeugenol through human epidermis was studied. Benzyl alcohol penetrated most rapidly from almost all vehicles. Among liquid vehicles, liquid paraffin provided the best penetration for the 3 compounds. As the ratio of water to ethanol increased in ethanol/water solutions, the penetration of each compound increased. Among cosmetic and ointment vehicles, lotion and milky lotion afforded maximum penetration of each compound with the exception of milky lotion in the case of benzyl alcohol. Macrogol ointment provided the poorest penetration results for the 3 compounds tested.

Disposition of Benzyl Alcohol After Topical Application to Human Skin in vitro

“…This report presents a detailed test of an extended first‐order kinetic approach using combined absorption and evaporation data obtained after application of a single fragrance ingredient, benzyl alcohol, to human skin in vitro . Benzyl alcohol penetrates skin to a significant extent9–13 and is one of the more frequently reported contact allergens,14 possibly because of its widespread use in both fragrance and preservative systems for cosmetic products. However, it is not considered a high‐risk ingredient.…”