PENETRATION OF CATIONIC SURFACTANTS INTO SKIN

[摘要] The cationic surfactant, benzalkonium chloride, like the synthetic anionic surfactants previously studied, is able to penetrate little, is at all, into normal, excised, human skin. The mechanism which prevents or retards penetration is not yet definitely understood. Benzalkonium chloride does penetrate, however, if the protective layer of the skin has been damaged by alkali, by lipid solvents, or by stripping with pressure-sensitive tape.