How much does the skin absorb?
I spoke with one of my new customers at the farmer’s market today about salt bars. She said she had tried one before and it raised her blood pressure. I wondered about that… Really makes you realize how much your skin absorbs – and why it’s so great to use handmade soaps and lotions! 
I found a great article about this at EcoVoice.com. Here are some excerpts:
Our skin, the largest eliminatory organ in the body and our first line of immunity, is permeable to all chemicals. Medical research shows that significant amounts of cosmetic ingredients, including carcinogenic substances, penetrate the skin and end up in the blood stream. Many chemicals in cosmetics don’t cause obvious signs of toxicity on the skin but slowly poison us thorough repeated use.
This makes perfect sense too:
Today, the administration of drugs and medicines is often through transdermal skin patches. This has been shown to be up to 95% more effective than oral medication. However, cosmetic manufacturers are not supposed to claim that the skin absorbs their products. If they did the products would be labelled a drug and governed by much stricter regulations.
This is both good and bad for us. Good because it means our skin can be fed, nourished and treated from the outside with some wonderful substances.
Yes! Like fresh goat’s milk soaps, Jojoba-Shea lotions without petroleum products…
Bad because it means we can absorb commonly used cosmetic ingredients that would never be allowed to be taken orally as a food or drug, through our skin.
Want to see what you’re putting on your skin? Check out the Skin Deep cosmetic database. It has the ingredients that go into most of the personal care products on the market with a toxicity rating for each one. Pretty interesting stuff!
skin absorb, cosmetics, chemicals penetrate skin, oxybenzone
July 9th, 2008 at 6:47 am
The problem with the Internet is that anyone can write anything and many people just believe it.
There is no proof that skin absorbs chemicals from your personal care or cosmetic products despite what EcoVoice says. Skin resists penetration of almost all chemicals. That is its purpose. That is why doctors have to give shots because the chemicals in the medicine will not penetrate the skin. That is why people who are diabetics can’t take insulin patches, insulin does not penetrate skin!
I would be curious to see this “medical research” that they refer to. I checked the indexed publications at PubMed and was unable to find anything.
July 9th, 2008 at 7:09 am
What a great comment, Left Brain! I love to hear both sides to the story. I have to believe that the skin must absorb some things – ie. nicotine patches, birth control patches, etc. Was it the customer’s imagination that her blood pressure went up when she used the salt bar, or was it caused by something else? Let’s do some more research & see what we can find!
August 3rd, 2008 at 10:42 am
If the skin is so adept at preventing external environmental substances from entering the body, then transdermal patches certainly cannot work. it is only because the skin absorbs most chemicals that aspirin or alcohol can penetrate the esophagus and stomach walls for immediate effect. Most solvents easily penetrate the skin and enter the blood, as do heavy metals. Try holding mercury in your hands and live to tell about it. The study of how and to what extent the skin absorb and expel minerals and toxins is not well understood. But don’t expect the medical community to help you comprehend it. The only things the orthodox medical community wants you to know is the trademark symbol, the patent number, and the price you must pay for your ignorance.
October 2nd, 2008 at 1:17 am
Left Brain is yet another example of the ignorance running rampant which makes it so hard to right what is wrong.
Instead of opening your eyes & ears you immediately insult & shoot it down with this “conspiracy theory”.
Your skin is capable of topical absorption & it is 24/7.
*Look it up: the head honcho of the FDA for 20 years himself has confessed in an interview on PBS the corruption of the FDA, http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/prescription/etc/script.html
So yea, there are a lot of things to look out for.
instead of shooting down someone’s concerns for their & others’ health, you should maybe try to find an understanding.
October 2nd, 2008 at 2:32 am
Horrible, that is horrible and it is beyond me expectation. I don’t know why women don’t have very bad skin after a having so much cosmetics on their body. I am confused to use soaps as well.
October 2nd, 2008 at 3:52 pm
Sean: I’m not sure how your article relates to skin absorption. It’s about the FDA and drugs that have been approved in the past that shouldn’t have been. Interesting read, but I didn’t even see a date on the transcript. I have to believe that the skin does absorb at least some of what we put on it. How much remains unclear.
Tom: Try using a handmade natural soap. You don’t have to worry about what is going into your skin. It’s not even close to the same as the shower gels out there which are made up of chemical detergents that dry out your skin. Handmade soaps are extremely moisturizing and excellent for your skin!
October 29th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
Someone queried a statistic on a site I run called anderra. The statistic was that the skin absorbs 60% of what was put on it. We called a charity called Sense About Science (group of researchers) and they said that it was actually 0-100%! It all depends on the size of the molecules as to how far into the skin it is absorbed…so creams that are created to hydrate the skin (that are designed to be absorbed and penetrate skin easily) will be much easier to absorb than a slice of raw carrot!
Hope this helps:)
March 25th, 2009 at 11:50 am
It upsets me to see how many people believe what they have been told by the completely self regulated cosmetic industry.(F.Y.I. The cosmetic industry is not even under the umbrella of the F.D.A. If a company creates a new ingredient and says it is safe, no outside testing is required.) I recommend checking out “Not Just a Pretty Face: The Ugly Side of the Beauty Industry” by Stacy Malkin. Here you can find all the scientific and medical research you are looking for along with the Cosmetic Safety Data Base. The United States doesn’t do product research but other countries do and all this information is availible on line. These are experts and not just peoples opinions. Also the new nano technology being utilized by cosmetic companies should prove to non believers that products penetrate the skin. Nano technology has figrued out how to alter molecules so that they penetrate deeper. This unfortunately also causes all the toxic chemicals to penetrate deeper. This new technology would not have been invented if scientists and chemists did not belive in skin absorbtion. “Everything we put in and on our bodies must be nutritious and safe.” Horst Rechelbacher founder and former owner of Aveda, founder and owner of Intelligent Nutrients. Intelligent Nutrients has recently launched a line of haircare and aromas (skin care to launch in April) that is 100% certified organic by the USDA which means the ingredients are food grade. (yes that means they could be eaten, but that is not their purpose.) So check them out also!
March 25th, 2009 at 12:26 pm
Excellent information, Darrel. I will definitely look for the resource you recommended!!
March 26th, 2009 at 9:47 am
my teacher and i are having a argument about if i color on my hands if it will be absorbed by my skinand i say no she says yes and when i looked on this page it sayed “there is no proof that skin absorbes cemicals but my teacher keeps on saying that i am whrong and i am mad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 26th, 2009 at 10:05 am
Katelyn, are you talking about hair color? The comment by Left Brain was the only one says that chemicals do not enter the skin – only because they haven’t seen any evidence that it does. I am going to look up the reference made by Darrel (comment #8) and I recommend that you do the same.
March 27th, 2009 at 11:49 am
I assume Katelyn is talking about hair color also. In 1979 the F.D.A. forced the industry to reformulate hair color to remove the coal tar dyes because there was conclusive evidenve that it was linked to cancer.(this would not be the case if skin did not absorb chemicles) There is still much debate as to the safety of hair color. There is certainly alot of info out there about the lead acetate in progressive colors. We all now know about the health risks from lead (like in paint, dishware, lipsticks, etc.) and lead acetate is lead oxide that has been treated with acetic acid. There are some hair colors on the market that are considered safer now, (safer being the key word) but hair stylists are still at the highest risk. Even if you disbelieve that chemicles penetrate the skin you are still at great risk of developing an alergy to the hair color if you are not wearing gloves. I paid no attention and have learned this lesson the hard way. The gloves are not comfortable but the alternative is not worth the risk in my book. I can provide you with more detailed research if anyone is interested.
March 27th, 2009 at 11:59 am
I also wanted to mention an article about nano particles which are designed specificaly knowing that everything penetrates the skin.These particles are capable of penetrating right to your organs. Here is the link:
http://www.organicconsumers.org/bodycare/nanoparticles.cfm
also here is a petition asking the F.D.A. to regulate nanoparticles as the companies right now don’t even have to disclose their use.
http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5500/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=543
March 27th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
More excellent information, Darrel! I’ve been on the fence about continuing to use semi-permanent color my hair, and the more I hear, the more I want to keep it natural!!
May 11th, 2009 at 2:24 pm
The reason patch medication works is because a delivery system has been developed within the patch to delivery the medicine into the skin. If the skin absorbs everything are you saying we are taking in calories when applying vegetable oils to our skin? Why don’t are veins fill up with water (chlorinated water at that) when we swim? Why don’t we just apply cough medicine to our skin and not drink that yucky stuff? Some components of some chemicals are small enough to get past the skin barrier. BUT the majority of chemicals do not reach down through all the layers of skin and into our bloodstream. It takes an advanced delivery system to push drugs through these barriers. Please stop name calling those with different opinions. Think of there opinions and take them into consideration. And please back up your ideas with answers to my questions. That is true discussion. And the reason things get absorbed in our esophagus and stomach is because that is tissue, not skin cells. Different cell, different function.
May 11th, 2009 at 3:16 pm
Thank you for joining our discussion, Lisa. I appreciate your insight into why the patch medications work. If there are delivery systems for medications, why not for cosmetics? Perhaps that is what the nano-particles are for.
May 25th, 2009 at 12:17 pm
Our Skin was ment to be a barrier. We do actually even absorb water to a certain extent. That is why our fingers and toes ‘prune’ if in the water too long. Cosmetic companies have worked very hard to figure our ways to get ingredients to penetrate deeper to get the effects their products claim to have. I wanted to submit an article on nanotechnology. http://www.organicconsumers.org/nanotech.cfm
There are also links to many more articles covering all aspects of nanotechnology. Also keep in mind companies do not have to disclose to us when using nano particles.
Also check out propylene glycol on Cosmetic Safety Database, it is a penetration enhancer, and is probably in your deoderant!
May 26th, 2009 at 10:04 pm
Nanotechnology is one thing. My question goes out to all who claim the “skin absorbs everything put on it”. Yes, certain molecules are small enough to penetrate the skin but most are not. Certain chemicals may irritate the skin making it less able to keep things out. But, the skin is filled with layers of cells and enzymes designed to keep things out in order to protect our inner selves-it’s job is to not absorb things that don’t belong in our bodies. So again, if anyone can explain to me why they think the skin “absorbs everything” I would love to understand if they believe soap gets absorbed and is then in our blood or if lotion gets absorbed and is then in our blood-anything you can put on your skin-is it then directly taken into our blood and coursing through our veins? I suppose that is where I don’t understand this topic-how is the skin absorbing everything right into our blood stream? Thanks so much, Lisa
May 26th, 2009 at 11:10 pm
And yes, you are right, Darrel. Propylene glycol is the first ingredient in my Toms of Maine natural deodorant!
May 27th, 2009 at 9:01 am
Environmental Working Group (EWG) detected 16 chemicals from 4 chemical families – phthalates, triclosan, parabens, and musks – in blood and urine samples from 20 teen girls aged 14-19. This study was conducted to see how many chemicals from cosmetics have already been absorbed by teenage girls. It is about 10 pages long and very detailed. http://www.ewg.org/reports/teens
May 27th, 2009 at 11:23 am
Wow! I’m glad to hear someone has done a study on this. I have to admit, Darrel, I bought the book you recommended, but haven’t taken the time to really read it yet. I hope to soon though! Thanks again for all your helpful information!
May 28th, 2009 at 11:31 am
The
presence of intact parabens in tumor tissue shows that these chemicals
can not only be absorbed through the skin but can also persist and
accumulate in breast cancer tissue in their original form, without
being degraded. (when parabens are eaten they are degraded and lose
some of their constituents, making them less estrogen-like). http://www.organicconsumers.org/bodycare/breastcancer090604.cfm
May 28th, 2009 at 12:13 pm
I had heard that there was only one study done on the presence of parabens in breast cancer patients, and that the results were inconclusive since the study did not look at whether parabens caused the tumors. The link comes from the idea that parabens have weak estrogen-like properties, and this type of activity may lead to breast cancer. There has been widespread information on this subject in the natural health care arena, and many are afraid to use paraben products now. I believe if there are alternatives to their use (and there are), then it is probably be safer to use those alternatives. That’s why I have started using an all-natural preservative in my products, which are currently being challenge tested in a lab for their effectiveness. I will be anxious to hear the results!
May 28th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
Please remember the Environmental Working Group is an environmental “green” research group with funding comeing in part from green organziations. So they are not an unbiased organization doing unbiased research. The paraben study is hugely debated by scientist in all areas because there have been very few studies to back up the cancer link so it is not a widely accepted concept. True studies must take many variables into account. As I mentioned in other posts I believe the skin can absorb SOME chemicals or irriated skin may be more likely to absorb more chemicals. And I believe in using as natural as possible products for the simple fact that if they have something natural that works just as well as something synthetic why not use the natural. That is not to say that all things natural are guarateed healthy. Some natural substances are actually harmful and toxic or could be when used incorrectly, but there are some “natural” advocates who seem to think that anything synthetic is bad. Anyway, I am still looking for someone to explain to me that if they think the skin absorbs everything into the blood are they saying then that EVERYTHING that goes on our skin gets into our blood-again, things like lotion for example. When I put lotion on my skin, is the lotion being absorbed by my skin? All of it? Are they saying that lotion is in my blood? If there is no lotion mixed in with my blood, what is stopping the lotion from getting absorbed but not the harmful chemicals? Unfortunately, if this can’t be answered with factual ideas, then I can’t believe that the skin absorbs everything and I must believe what I’ve learned that the skin is a barrier organ whose function is to protect everything inside by not allowing absorbtion of most things. If I am being too literal then I hope someone will clarify for me. Do they mean that it is only being absorbed into the layers of skin cells? If so, how would it then be getting into my blood and effecting me adversly? Thanks to everyone participating in this discussion even if opinions differ.
May 28th, 2009 at 6:03 pm
I don’t know where the idea of everything we put on our skin going into the blood stream came from? Certainly there have been chemicals found in peoples blood stream but water would only penetrate into the layers of the skin. Ingredients would penetrate differenty depending on the size of the molecule and also which ingredients they are combined with.Lotion would not penetrate into your blood stream, some of the chemicals in the lotion might. I have to stress again that cosmetic companies have spent billions of dollars figuring out how to make products penetrate deeper to guarentee the results they claim. I believe when dealing with a self regulated industry it is important to have a group like Environmental Working Group chalenging the companies manufacturing the products. I can’t believe a company can create a new chemical, tell us it is safe and release it on the market with no third party testing. I don’t believe that the company manufacturing the product and selling it for profit could be unbiased. Skin Deep and the Cosmetics Safety Database were started by women that ended up with health problems connected to cosmetic ingredients. The information is compiled from studies gathered all over the world. Each ingredient shows all of the studies done and gives references. (Including studies from the Cosmetics Review Board, a self regulated board controled by the industry, and the F.D.A)see example of methylparaben- http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/ingredient.php?ingred06=703937 So I feel it shows fairly all the information out there available. Basicly they are asking that if there is a question of safety about an ingredient that it is re-evaluated and tested for health and safety. My mother always said better safe than sorry and I would have to agree.
Not one cosmetic product has to be approved by the US Food and Drug Administration before hitting the market.
The European Union has banned more than 1,100 chemicals from cosmetics. The United States has banned just nine.
Only 11 percent of chemicals used in cosmetics in the United States have been assessed for health and safety-leaving a staggering 89 percent with unknown or undisclosed effects.
Sorry to repeat myself but I want to encourage you to read ‘Not Just a Pretty Face: the Ugly Side of the Cosmetic Industry’ by Stacy Malkin.
One last thought, U.S. Congress voted to ban phthalates from toys, but they are still legal to use in personal care products.
May 28th, 2009 at 9:34 pm
You are right about nanotechnology. I can take chemicals further into the body. But Nanotechnology is, again, a very specific delivery system. It is trying to delivery chemicals past the skin barrier. Just like the patch medications are very special delivery systems. Without the delivery system, the skin is trying to keep things out. My question about absorbing into the blood comes from reading the cites promoting “natural” products or through various posts on discussion boards. Many, not all, people seem to believe that everything gets absorbed past the skin into the blood. After all, if it isn’t getting past the layers and into the blood, how would it be transported around our bodies doing harm? If it only got absorbed into our skin layers it’s not traveling beyond the skin to be toxic in the rests of our bodies. The thought that skin absorbs to the blood is quoted by Owen in the very article you posted:
says Owen. “Twenty years ago, we did not have the technology to monitor blood parts per million. Now, we can monitor parts per billion. Frankly, everything goes everywhere. When you wash your hair or brush your teeth, you are putting agents into the bloodstream. So I think the issue is not whether it goes into the system, but does it go into the bloodstream in any significant amounts?”
There’s no point trying to turn back the clock, he says. “We live in a chemical soup, quite frankly. I think we always have, whether you are smearing bear grease on your skin or one of our refined products.”
That’s why my lotion question-I’d like to know from those who feel the skin absorbs everything. I agree with you that certain chemicals can penetrate but definately not all but that’s the controversy here. Some believe “some” some believe “all”. Thanks for your info.
June 5th, 2009 at 6:11 am
Any supporter of “chemicals penetrate our skin” would like to explain to me why i haven’t died from iodine poisoning when i swim for hours day after day week after week in the sea?
Honest question expecting honest answer please.
June 5th, 2009 at 11:17 pm
On that note, how about explaining tattoos? Ink is injected past the first layer of skin into the second layer of skin and stays there forever. If the skin absorbs everything (and to some, right into the blood) why does my tattoo never get absorbed out of my skin cells? If you think it does get absorbed however, do you think that if I took my blood right after getting a tattoo there would be ink in my blood? Thanks to anyone with an answer.
June 6th, 2009 at 5:52 pm
We were talking about chemicals designed by cosmetic companies to penetrate. Tattoo ink was designed to stay just where it was put. I don’t know why you would die from iodine in sea water. Iodine in sea water is .06PPM (parts per Million) and we also know water is not a penetration enhancer as it only penetrates layers of the skin. Iodine is also necessary for good health. That is why sea water is evaporated for salt that contains iodine, we eat sea vegetables for iodine, people used to use iodine on cuts and as an antiseptic. It is even added to commercial salt because our bodies need it. (I chose to only use sea salt with natural occuring iodine.) Here is an article from the Department of Health and Human Services on iodine. http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp158-c1-b.pdf
They even state it can be absorbed through the skin. Radio active iodine can kill you but you would probably not be exposed unless you work in a factory that uses it. The only other way you could die from it would be to consume massive amounts of iodized salt which happens rarely.
That last article I posted was specifically about nano technology, particles designed to penetrate. Other chemicals can penetrate to different levels. The problelm is our bodies know they do not belong inside us so our natural elimination processes kick in. Our bodies would push them into our blood, urine, sweet glands, lymph nodes, or an eliminatory organ to rid us of them. That is why they get moved around our bodies. For example the deodorant I apply with propylene glycol under my arm is closest to my lymph nodes, so that would be where my body would send it for elimination. That is why we have been aware of not using aluminum in deodorants.
Lisa pointed out that not all natural ingredients are safe either. I agree and that is another reason I feel that ALL ingredients in our products need to be tested for safety by a third party, not the company that has designed and is selling them.
June 6th, 2009 at 6:43 pm
Thank you for answering these questions, Darrel – and with data to back up your claims!
June 6th, 2009 at 11:05 pm
Hi Darrel. When you say that our bodies push chemicals into our blood . . . for an eliminatory organ to rid us of them, do you mean all chemicals applied or only those that are small enough in size to pass through all the layers of our skin into our blood? To me that is the confusion when people state the “skin absorbs” or “everything penetrates”. If the molecule size is small enough to get past all the skin layers into our blood then I would agree with your statement. But, if the molecules cannot pass through our skin layers or are prevented from getting though by the the skin’s natural defenses, then there would be no way they would be sent to any organ for elimination because they cannot get in to begin with. See, I think this is still the basis of the “absorption” argument. We seem to agree on the fact that certain chemicals or those formulated with a penetration enhancer/delivery system can get through. But it’s the person who believes that everything we put on our skin gets into our bloodstream so only healthy, natural ingredients are acceptable for our bodies. Those are the people I, and I think Alex, would like to hear more from so they can explain their beliefs. Not that your comments are not appreciated-they are very good additions to the topic. Many, mostly in the natural fields, believe the skin absorbs EVERYTHING directly into the blood and I could find links to numerous websites stating this as fact and I would just love for someone from that mindset to offer their opinions. Regarding the tattoo ink, it really is like the soap and lotion question to those who think the skin absorbs everything right down to the blood. I understand how ink remains intact in the skin but I would like to hear if there is a rebuttal by the “absorbs everything” group.
June 7th, 2009 at 6:33 am
Lisa, could you point us to someone who believes the skin “absorbs everything”? One of the websites you refer to would be great. I didn’t know anyone actually believed that we absorb everything. There is a 60% number that keeps floating around, but I haven’t seen 100%. I’ve even tried to find the source of the 60% study that people keep quoting, and haven’t found it yet. If anyone knows where that is, please post!
June 7th, 2009 at 7:02 pm
EWG is a nonprofit research organization based in Washington, DC that uses the power of information to protect human health and the environment.
Lipstick Chemicals Declared Toxic by Canadian Gov’t
Toxin Found in a Host of Personal Care and Other Household Products
D4 and D5 toxins are found in such everyday items as body lotions, hair-care products, soaps, baby bottle nipples, cookware and home cleaning products. Both chemicals are linked to uterine tumors and other types of damage to the female reproductive system in animals. Effects in people have not been studied, despite the likelihood of near universal exposure. According to an analysis of Environmental Working Group’s own database of ingredients in over 41,000 personal care products, D4 and D5 are in more than 1 of every 7 products.
http://www.ewg.org/node/27563
June 7th, 2009 at 7:27 pm
Have you ever used garlic as a natural remedy? You can crush a clove of garlic and put it under your foot and within a short time smell it coming through your pores and even taste it.
• “The EPA has raised skin absorption of chlorine to its top 10 carcinogen watch list.” The Washington
Post – June 1994•
Up to 2/3 of the harmful effects of chlorine are due to inhalation and skin absorption while showering.”
The American Journal Of Public Health
Some forms of iodine can enter your body when
placed on the skin. Department of Health and Human Services
Skin contact could be a very important route of phthalate intake from personal care products such as soap. In the CDC study of phthalates, the breakdown product of diethyl phthalate (DEP) was detected in the highest level in the tested population. DEP is used in a number of scented products such as soaps, lotions and perfumes. DEP is also found in plastic products like toothbrushes, toys and food packaging.
Absorption of sunscreens across human skin http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:35896
In-Vitro Cadaver Skin Percutaneous Absorption Model: Across Donor Variability; A
retrospective analysis
http://www.aapsj.org/abstracts/AM_2007/AAPS2007-003699.PDF
Cutaneous Absorbtion (unfortunatly like most medical publications access to the whole article costs)
http://occmed.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/pdf_extract/13/1/27
I don’t think you will find any conclusive evidence of percentages of chemicals or ingredients absorbed because there has not been enough research done. Just the fact that chemicals have been found in urine, blood, organs and tumors or that most countries have banned thousands of ingredients currently in use in the US says to me more testing is required.
June 7th, 2009 at 7:53 pm
25 MAR 2008 A new study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reveals that 97% of Americans are contaminated with a widely-used sunscreen ingredient called oxybenzone that has been linked to allergies, hormone disruption, and cell damage. A companion study published just one day earlier revealed that this chemical is linked to low birth weight in baby girls whose mothers are exposed during pregnancy. Oxybenzone is also a penetration enhancer, a chemical that helps other chemicals penetrate the skin.
Even if your skin only absorbs this one chemical from your sunscreen is this acceptable?
June 7th, 2009 at 8:02 pm
Look out! Darrel is on a roll! I did have a customer ask about a natural sunscreen product last week. There are only a few oils and butters with naturally occuring SPFs, but as a small formulator, I cannot claim any of my products have SPF since sunscreen is classified as a pharmaceutical, not a cosmetic.
June 8th, 2009 at 6:39 am
Amy, in my post no. 26 you will see a quote from a site Darrel posted wherein the author claims all things enter the blood. The following two from sellers of personal products on the web indicate absorption to the blood, http://www.ritualsskincare.com/natural_skin_moisturizers.html and http://www.lipstickalley.com/blogs/h-a-r-d-n-o-x/harmful-ingredients-commercial-products-704. Even the article sited at the top of this topic indicates the skin is permeable to all chemicals. If you read the rest of the article it does talk about specific synthetic products but the implication is that our skin absorbs all things directly into our bodies causing harm unless they are natural products. The articles Darrel sites in his last posts make no assumptions that the skin is like a sponge absorbing everything. They are more about research and speak to the point that the skin can absorb SOME chemicals. Unfortunately, the misinformation propagated on the internet is dizzying and I don’t think many are doing their own research-I think they are reading this misinformation and taking it as fact because it is repeated over and over again. The articles citing true research take much more work to find. Here is one more site but it does a good job of simply talking about the many myths out there: http://www.ohohorganic.com/blog/2008/07/does-our-skin-absorb-personal-care.html
June 8th, 2009 at 6:44 am
PS-the one article from lipstickalley does say that all things put on the body like soap, cream, shampoo . . . are absorbed into the skin directly into the bloodstream and carried throughout the body.
June 8th, 2009 at 7:41 am
Thanks for the links, Lisa! Just goes to show there are lots of varying OPINIONS out there floating around. I liked the post by Oh, Oh Organic – she has some very logical insight. I think it boils down to this: Yes, there are some chemicals that can penetrate the skin into the bloodstream. Several of the articles posted here show scientific research that supports this. Obviously, not all chemicals can – like the lipstickalley article and the Ritual Skin Care people are trying to make you believe. They are oversimplifying in an attempt to sell their natural products. I don’t think it’s necessary to scare people into using natural products; however, if you have the opportunity to use natural products, why wouldn’t you?
June 8th, 2009 at 10:40 am
As part of a study of pollutant loads in the human body sponsored by the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, samples of Bill Moyers’ blood and urine were analyzed. Eighty-four distinct chemicals were found.
http://www.pbs.org/tradesecrets/problem/bodyburden.html
The “precautionary principle” – adopted by the European Union in 1992 as the basis for regulation of toxic chemicals –- holds that in the face of scientific uncertainty, government should err on the side of protecting public health and safety. In other words, if scientific evidence indicates there is a good chance that a chemical may pose a risk of irreversible harm, regulators should not wait for absolute proof before acting.
June 8th, 2009 at 11:23 am
The quote in Lisa’s post 26 was from an article specifically about nano technology. It is not saying all chemicals penetrate to the blood, it is talking about nano chemicals.
I am less concerned about the percentages being absorbed than the fact that we are using products with chemicals that are being absorbed and have not been tested for health and safety. (or have been tested and banned in several other countries.)
Laboratory tests reveal adolescent girls across America are contaminated with chemicals commonly used in cosmetics and body care products. Environmental Working Group (EWG) detected 16 chemicals from 4 chemical families – phthalates, triclosan, parabens, and musks – in blood and urine samples from 20 teen girls aged 14-19. Studies link these chemicals to potential health effects including cancer and hormone disruption. These tests feature first-ever exposure data for parabens in teens, and indicate that young women are widely exposed to this common class of cosmetic preservatives, with 2 parabens, methylparaben and propylparaben, detected in every single girl tested.
http://www.ewg.org/book/export/html/26953
I would encourage you again to look up ingredients of products you are using here: http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/
It includes research from Government, industry, academic studies and classifications.
June 15th, 2009 at 1:46 pm
Hi again. I re-read the article and, although the article discusses the concerns of whether or not nanotechnology may bring harmful chemicals into the skin, I still seem to feel Dr. Owen is talking about the fact that all things absorb but that is just my interpretation of it. I also read his website regarding his product Agera RX and it is supposed to bring beneficial peptides deeper into the skin yet there is no mention of how far his ingredients will penetrate. So, if in the article referenced above he is talking about only nanotechnology bringing all chemicals into the bloodstream that would imply that his own product using nanotechnology does so as well. Anyway, Darrel is correct. Be aware of what you are using, better safe then sorry and educate yourself rather that just take for fact what is floating around on the internet. As laypeople and not cosmetic chemists, scientists or doctors most of us don’t know what is going to be stopped by the skin or can have a harmful, long term effect through its ability to break through the skin barrier but don’t fall for the “natural” hype, either.
June 24th, 2009 at 6:36 am
When I put shampoo on my head I can taste in within a matter of seconds. No doubt that your skin absorbs chemicals
July 1st, 2009 at 10:37 pm
I’m sorry but I find this confusing. You seem to be saying that you put shampoo on your head and somehow the shampoo as a whole, not just SOME of the chemicals in it, make it to your mouth? IF the skin were absorbing the shampoo it would absorb into the bloodstream and travel throughout your body. Do you taste shampoo if you rub it on your arm? How about hair spray or styling gel or hair color-do you taste them as well? Have you ever experimented with other things that don’t necessarily belong on your head such as vinegar (like a vinegar rinse) or vegetable oil like in a hot oil treatment?
July 2nd, 2009 at 2:45 pm
I’m wondering if Rebecca has a very sensitive olfactory response that causes her to have the sensation of tasting the shampoo that she is smelling.
July 4th, 2009 at 2:39 am
I read in the Reader’s digest that if you were stranded at sea on a life raft without any source of water, you could still survive. All you would have to do is saturate your skin with the sea water. If I got this right, salt water would be absorbed through your skin and thus blood stream. Apparently, there would be no adverse affects–not like drinking salt water. How long in the the salt water. I don’t know. Could you comment on this?
Thank You, Lester
July 5th, 2009 at 10:06 pm
I think Amy might have a reasonable idea what is happening to Rebecca and the shampoo. Regarding the sea water, if Reader’s Digest knows about surving at sea by rubbing the skin with sea water, scientist, sailors, fisherman and the general public would know about this and no one would ever die from lack of water at sea again. I don’t quite think this could be true.
September 5th, 2009 at 8:06 am
If you soak your hand in a glass of HIV tainted blood, you will not become infected (unless you have an abrasion). If you pour a vial of pure HIV (or any virus) on your skin, you will not become infected. The skin will not absorb even something so nano micro as a virus (which is why heterosexual men do not contract AIDS, unless there is an abrasion someplace). My point is that unless there is a designed delivery system, enginered to deliver a specific molecule, such as a medicinal patch, nothing gets past your outer skin.
September 5th, 2009 at 12:26 pm
Interesting information, Robert! What is your source?
September 8th, 2009 at 11:08 am
I have truly enjoyed this forum. I love research and want to be challenged with my beliefs about this topic. I am an Aesthetician and consider myself savvy about ingredients. I don’t know everything of course, but am definitely for the cleanest option. One thing that I wanted to mention, that hasn’t been mentioned. If it comes from a MD or Dermatologist it’s either going to penetrate to the dermis or get close to there. The applications that you can get from your spa and at the store are not going that deep. That’s just my side note for the people that think everything they buy works like the label claims. They don’t. It depends on who you’re getting it from AND it’s chemical makeup. Labels that say “improves collagen”, does not. Don’t buy that product for that reason. Collagen is way to big for the skin to absorb. What is really happening is it is being a filler for your fine lines and creating (for that day. You’ll have to do it tomorrow, and the next day, and the next day, etc.), a look of less deep lines. Baby boomers are such targets unfortunately.
September 16th, 2009 at 3:30 am
i’m joining this conversation rather late. ^_^ but as a type 1 diabetic (diagnosed at age 25) i wanted to share some information relevant to the first post.
the reason that insulin is usually injected is because it is a protein. if it was taken orally as a liquid or a pill, the stomach would digest it before it could be completely absorbed into the blood stream. and even as a shot, it can’t be injected just anywhere. it has to be injected into fatty tissue, because muscle tissue will also break the proteins down.
this applies to other medicines as well. it’s why sometimes you get a shot in your butt/hip and sometimes it’s your arm. tissues sometimes handle chemicals differently.
now, as for an insulin patch, this has been in the works for a while now. you can do a simple search for “insulin patch” and you’ll find several articles about research methods and product testing. and despite the fact that your stomach wants to eat insulin, there are pills in the works too.
all of this is to point out that things that might not get absorbed if eaten just might get absorbed by your skin. (and vise versa.) and it’s possible that neither would absorb it. or both would! a lot depends on what the chemical is and how the cells will react to it.
October 23rd, 2009 at 8:31 am
I saw this link on your blog and read through. Love your comments. I learned from a bio chemist that rate of absorption depends on the molecular structure of the product. Even for EO’s. Each EO has a different absorption rate. Since we don’t know the absorption rate of many chemicals, since they haven’t been studied thoroughly it is a good idea to avoid what isn’t known and also refer to the resource that you (AMY) sited (the cosmetic safety database) since they do a plethora of research on products the FDA just doesn’t have time for.
November 8th, 2009 at 1:26 am
All interesting stuff, basically natural (and organic) has to be the best choice for anything you put on your skin, whether the argument of absorption of chemicals into your bloodstream is true or false. My immediate recent experience is nicotine patches when giving up smoking. Nicotine is one chemical and there can be many chemicals in any product you put on your skin – even natural olive oil can still contain traces of sprays used in the growint process of the olives. I say – user be informed. But my main question/reason which led me onto this site is this – if i apply oil (and i use organic almond oil) onto my body every day after my shower, is this oil absorbed into my bloodstream, adding to my caloric intake? I know it is a vain, perhaps simple question but i tell you – there seems to be no answers on the net that i have found so far. Anyone?
November 8th, 2009 at 12:23 pm
My kneejerk reaction to Michelle’s question about caloric intake through the skin is NO WAY! I can’t imagine that those calories are absorbed. However, I’m no chemist, so perhaps there is validity to it. Hoping someone with more knowledge than me will chime in!
November 8th, 2009 at 8:47 pm
Answering your question as to my source…I am a research bio chemist. Things ingested do not have to deal with the epidermis, so they can be absorbed in your digestive tract, or thru lung tissue, etc. Nothing penetrates skin, however, unless engineered chemically to do specifically that (i.e. medicinal patches). Lotions are either light, or heavy with varying degrees of oily greasiness. They are not absorbed. Really, folks, this is high school biology 101. Pour rattlesnake venom on your arm and see what happens. Nothing. Pour any virus on your arm and see what happens. Nothing, unless you inhale it, perhaps. Lots of nonsense on this board.
November 8th, 2009 at 8:49 pm
Michelle…NO. NO. No. Nothing is absorbed unless bio engineered to do so.
November 8th, 2009 at 9:04 pm
Thank you, Robert!!
December 2nd, 2009 at 12:02 pm
My boyfriend works at a peanut factory with alot of salt and I am trying to convince him that is the cause of his high blood pressure although I am not sure and I am open for suggestions? The salt does get in the air and on his clothes …..Thanks
December 2nd, 2009 at 9:41 pm
I don’t think you will find much support for your argument here, Lynn. It seems that several who have commented here will tell you that it isn’t possible – including a bio chemist. Appreciate your question!
December 7th, 2009 at 7:05 am
Hi i must say that i agree everything that goes onto your skin gets into your blood stream. I have celiac disease and can’t eat wheat, oats, barley or rye and recently had a bad tummy and couldn’t make out why? It turned out the eye cream i was using contained wheat and oats. Also i had some bad bites on my legs once and the gp gave me a cream and i had bad dizzy spells and felt unwell the gp told me to stop the cream as this can be a side effect of it. So i agree what goes onto your skin gets into your blood stream. Also i use a natural progesterone cream and it works explain that ???
Any answers would be great. thanks lynn p
December 7th, 2009 at 9:35 am
My mom has celiac as well – she told me there are varying degrees of sensitivities. Some are extremely sensitive, as you are, to even touch anything that contains gluten. I’m not sure that it’s because your skin is absorbing it as far as your bloodstream, but just that your body as a whole is sensitive and the allergy reacts upon contact. The progesterone cream is manufactured to cross your skin barrier, so that’s why it does!
December 25th, 2009 at 9:46 pm
I have not read this thread in a while but I believe Amy is correct in her explanation to Lynn. Progesterone cream is made by pharmaceutical companies with penetrations enhancers SPEFICALLY designed to push the chemicals past the skin barrier. Also, if the eye cream caused a reaction, the skin can become irrated and thereby no longer be an effective barrier. If you have an allergy to certain ingredients in the cream you are going to feel the effects by the body and have a natural reaction to this sensitivity. There have been very logical, very sensible arguments here about why the body does not absorb everything. Take the HIV post-you CAN NOT get HIV simply by exposing you skin to the virus-would you not hold the hand of an HIV infected person because you can absorb the virus through your skin? OF COURSE NOT! Because the virus must make it’s way INTO the body. If you touch a doorknob for example with a virus germ on it from someone with a virus who previously touched the doorknob you are not going to get the virus simply by touching the doorknob! You must transer the virus to the inside of the body via the eyes, nose or throat. Yes, some parts of some chemicals are small enough to pass through the skin but in such small amounts they cannot cause harm in the body (unless perhaps there is constant overexposure to the component). If anyone who believes that skin absorbs everything can refute any of the above logical, sensible, scientific facts with their own logical, sensible and scientific (not anecdotal) evidence by all means, please post it. This is not sarcasm, I assure you. Please explain why I can’t rub cough medicine on my arm and feel better so I don’t have to taste it, please explain why I can put soap on my skin but will not find soap bubbles coursing through my blood. I would truly love to know your thoughts.
January 2nd, 2010 at 11:49 pm
Another thought on this if someone would like to explain their belief in skin being porous to the point of being able to absorb everything: bruises (black and blue marks) are broken blood vessels below the skin but, because the skin is unbroken, the blood from the broken blood vessels pools below the surface of the skin. If the skin were porous and could absorb everything from the outside in, why would the blood from a bruise stay under the surface of the skin and not conversely “leak” out?
January 3rd, 2010 at 5:57 pm
There is no simple blanket “yes” or “no” answer to the question about what does or does not get through the skin. I have a Ph.D. in human physiology, and I’ve consulted on trans-dermal delivery systems for “natural” health products, so I have an extensive background in both the theory and real world applications of what does and does not cross the skin and how. The short answer is, “It depends – some things do cross the skin, some things do not. And some things that don’t “usually” cross the skin can cross under certain conditions, such as carrier molecules or nano-particle encapsulation.”
What crosses or does not cross the skin depends on many factors, such as which chemicals, which compounds, the condition of the skin and physiology, individual variances, etc. To be relatively brief and simple, without writing a book or even short paper on the topic, the “simple” fact you MUST consider is that skin is VERY complex, and has both active transport as well as passive diffusion of various chemicals and compounds across the skin – in both directions. In addition to what will naturally cross or not cross the skin, various “carrier” and/or permeability compounds can be included in a product formulation to increase (or decrease) the amount and rate of trans-dermal “delivery” of various substances through the skin. Some things will cross the skin on their own, some will cross with various carriers (passive or active), and some things are impossible (with current technology – never say never!) to get across the skin and into the body. Some areas of skin are easier to cross than others, depending on how thick the skin is – the “keratizined epithelium” on the soles of your feet (particularly if you go barefoot a lot) or even your hands (particularly if you do manual labor) is a lot thicker (and more resistant to “things” crossing it) than your lips (and for those who might be confused, yes, the outer part of your lips are considered skin (“keratizined epithelium”) to the line where your lips touch when your mouth is closed. Inside that line is considered “mucosa” or mucous membrane. But the skin is very thin on the lips, and that’s one reason why whatever goes on your lips should be of more concern than what goes on other areas of your skin. Plus it is a very short distance from lip skin to the mucosa of the mouth, where what crosses into your body and at what rate can be very different than on skin. And from the mouth of course it is easy to get into the “stomach” – the whole gastrointestinal tract – or into the lungs – with very different set of variables determining what gets into your body or not!
(BTW, a small side note for the person who asked about inhaling salt in a peanut factory, and a significant factor for everyone to consider: the lungs are structured to be permeable, so if salt dust – or any other dust or aerosol – is being inhaled into the lungs, significant absorption MAY (again, depending on what it is) occur that way. For salt, I have not looked for any studies on that, but based on general physiology and biochemistry, it would be very likely for inhaled salt dust to be absorbed in the lungs. Also, for everyone, a comment was made about concern over inhalation of chlorine from showers – this is also a significant factor, and many people may absorb more chlorine (and other toxic chlorine by-products) from their shower in chlorinated water than from drinking chlorinated water! The is also a growing concern that many cleaning solutions may be inhaled and absorbed through the lungs, particularly when applied with spray bottles or cans. This is a becoming a significant issue in hospitals, with their frequent cleaning, particularly with disinfectants – which are intentionally toxic to “germs” but are also often toxic and/or allergenic to people too, particularly with frequent exposure! So if you are concerned about the toxins you may be exposed to and that you may be absorbing, check out the ingredients of your shower water and your cleaning products as well as your “personal care” products. Now back to the main topic here of absorption through the skin…)
Even if something gets through (instead of just into) the skin, “it depends” on many more factors if that substance gets to other locations in the body. And “it depends” on what the substance(s) is/are as to what it does or does not do in the body. Some things are very reactive in the body, some things are inert. It (“it” varies a lot, and what happens varies a lot depending on what “it” is) may just stay in the sub-dermal tissue(s) (just below the skin) immediately adjacent to the application site. “It” may just passively diffuse across the skin and throughout the body. “It” may get into the blood or lymph system. It may circulate throughout the body for a prolonged time, or be broken down or converted or excreted on its first pass through the liver, kidneys, or other organs. And in the body, a substance may be converted into something else that is more or less nourishing or more or less toxic to the body. The complexity goes on and on. Individuals vary, between people and even in one person over time. As extreme examples of individual variability, just think of the growing number of people who are sensitive or even lethally allergic to peanuts, shellfish, wheat, eggs, etc. Most of those people did not start out sensitive or allergic, but became so over time. It is becoming more and more clear that the body (with significant individual variability) can only handle a certain amount of stress / toxic load for so long, and them starts to break down in its ability to handle the stress / toxic load. What you could handle at one point in your life / environment, you may not be able to handle at another time and/or place.
So the simple answer is, “There is no simple answer! What gets through the skin – and what it does if it gets through – depends on what the substance is, where and how it is applied, and even to whom it is applied. And the situation gets rapidly more complex when there is more than one substance in combination, and when you consider that individual people vary in their sensitivities, with variances both between people and also in one individual over time!”
Be well, and most of all, Enjoy!
PS: I just happened by this site today when I had some spare time, and probably won’t be back for follow-up comments. Hopefully I’ve written enough to satisfy the general reader. For those wanting more details, it is an extremely complex subject, and worthy of several Ph.D. dissertations and/or books. So please do the research to uncover the facts already known (there is a LOT already out there in the scientific literature) and do the original research to discover the many facts not known, particularly on the interation of all these chemicals and compounds in the “soup” we breathe, drink, and apply to our bodies daily.
February 15th, 2010 at 2:33 pm
Why does Mary Kay claim that our products do not penetrate the skin? I am a consultant and I just want to do what’s good for everyone.
February 26th, 2010 at 1:53 pm
What a wonderful dialog to read. Thank you Darrel for all the info and website listings and thank you David for the summary.
Can anyone educate me if ionic footbaths really work? How they enhance the discharge of toxins thru the sweat glands of the feet.
I also have a absorption question,
is the absorption also by way of the sweat gland or is it the tissue?
In China herbal foot baths have been used for centuries as a health enhancer..any research on the absorption of herbal tea absorption via the feet. (I know of the garlic test ). I believe the feet have the highest amount of sweat glands then any other region of the body.( or so I was taught) So if absorption does occur via the sweat glands, the feet would be the ideal candidate.
In regards to having our bodies absorb water and the example of our prune skin after long exposure…
for centuries various cultures have healing baths such as natural mineral springs and such. Even having such simple baths as epsom salt for aches. Have there been any studies from some of these areas on the people who are there on a regular frequent basis to see if the qualities of the waters are in their blood or tissues? 30 years ago when I lived Tobago, many of the locals would bath at a particular beach to benefit from the high iodine content. This was not a water they would consume as they do at some springs and baths…..so it would be interetsting to see if there was absorption via the skin into the dermis,blood or tissue. After reading Davids comments, I wonder also if some of the health benefits of these healing waters or springs have come about by also inhaling the steam or general air there, such as the therapeutic salt caves and being by the sea or waterfalls which also I think gets back to ions.
We also have the studies of Dr. Emoto who looks at water not only being a carrier of organic matter but also of vibrational messages. So when we look at the questions,” to what extent does our skin absorb chemical toxins or the healing waters, we also must ask now, what are the vibrations of these waters, toxins, ingrediants, product. Then we also have the placebo affect which is HUGE.
So I guess what I am also pointing out, when we ask if our skin is absorbing everything….it absorbs even more then merely an ingrediant. It absorbs also the vibration of that ingrediant and also the vibration of how it is applied ( such as a mothers touch or healing touch)
Yes the skin is our first barrier of protection. It is also our external nervous system which is highly based on vibrations and science is just now beginning to look at how those vibrations effect us on a cellular level. So you could also have the scenerio of someone putting on a topical organic products but in a rushed, anxious manner all stressed out to stay on schedule and then downing a cup of organic coffee and cursing at morning traffic while they try to get makeup on or shave. That is going to effect how that product is received into the body. Or if every time you put it on you feel guilty you spent so much money on it
I am not saying that then putting a known toxic substance on our skin in a loving manner is the answer…no, but gracing our food and nourishing our skin in a thoughtful grateful manner benefits us. Another aspect of historical cosmetics in a holistic manner is of the eye treatments in India. How even babies would have a black eye liner circling their eyes that would contain herbs to protect the child spiritually. I am just pointing out in a somewhat autistic manner the quantum aspects of this topic.
Also, aren’t some toxins hereditary? When I was a kid they use to spray DDT and we use to go out afterwards and run around in it amazed at how it looked like a light snow fall in summer. We were also equally amazed at finding dead birds. But anyway, I have been told that toxins such as that will not only be found in my daughter, but also in her children due to her eggs having been developed while in my womb. These tests of teenagers for toxins could then be showing toxins that were carried via the mother. It would have been interesting to have also tested teenagers who did not wear makeup.
I also would love to share a story with you of a friend i had who was Navajo and lived to be 98 years old. He often had periods of starvation and his mother had him drink kerosene on a regular basis to rid the body of worms. The body is amazing and we have soooo much yet learn
March 27th, 2010 at 3:14 pm
Another thing to consider, other than skin absorption and inhaling, is how these products are brought into our bodies in other ways. For example, how often does one rub their eyes and distribute mascara, eye liner, and eye shadow into them? Or even just when applying, how often do these products get into them? How often do we use lotions on our hands, just to eat something, like a hamburger, afterwards and even lick our fingers? How often do we get shampoo in our eyes, dust our noses with powder, and accidently swallow mouthwash? These are all other ways that these chemicals enter our “internal” systems. Mixed with chemicals in our food, our drinks, and our air, the collective amount of our exposure to all this, day after day, is more than we think about each day. Of course, its not so easy to remove all these chemicals ourselves (at least at the moment, until we stop using them), and not all can be easily avoided. But if you can simply try to make informed decisions about what you buy, and cut back on chemicals where you can, and increase use of natural, beneficial products (cosmetic and otherwise), there is no doubt less risk of such things. Especially since, as others have said, we don’t know how our own bodies will react to them. We may already have damage to our organs, such as kidneys, which are meant to get rid of these toxins… why add on pressure? It all adds up over time. And switching to healthier alternatives might even help our bodies get rid of what we do have build up.
March 27th, 2010 at 3:27 pm
Tis true, Beata. We can’t control everything that enters our system, but we can do our best.
March 27th, 2010 at 4:00 pm
Great site and thanx for the post
April 29th, 2010 at 8:45 pm
You ought to really think about expanding this website into a serious player in this niche. You clearly have a fundamental knowledge of the topics all of us are searching for on this site anyways and you could potentially even make a dollar or two off of some offers. I would explore following recent trends and raising the amount of write ups you put up and I bet you’d start earning some awesome traffic soon. Just a brainstorm, good luck in whatever you do!
April 29th, 2010 at 8:53 pm
@Jeanne – Thanks for the encouragement!
May 16th, 2010 at 7:19 am
I have personal experience with a medication being absorbed by the skin. As part of a diagnostic procedure at the hospital they put a patch(s) (nitroglycerin?) on my thigh. They told me that when I started getting a headache to let them know and they would take it off.
I was very skeptical because the patch(s) didn’t appear to be very secure. It/they didn’t lie flat or anything. In fact, it seemed a bit unbelievable to me that anything could *even be absorbed* by the skin because the medication wasn’t rubbed in or anything. But I was surprised to find that after awhile (1/2 hour or less?) I developed a headache.
I think the answer here is that certain medications due to their inherent nature or due to special formulas lend themselves to being used in this way. Other medications do not. I’m sure that if the cosmetic industry is unregulated no one knows what chemicals or other ingredients are easily absorbed by the skin and would enter the bloodstream and which would not.
As an example, some vaccines can simply be injected under the skin and into the muscle to find their way into the bloodstream. Other medications have to be injected directly into the vein in order to work.
I guess what I’m saying is that people on both ends of the spectrum are correct on this issue. It just depends on the properties of the chemical(s) involved as to whether they are absorbed and find their way into the blood stream or not.
July 26th, 2010 at 9:12 am
WOW! I ran upon this “soap” blog, looking for information on skin absorption. The many links *thanks* provided by other posters, will lead me to a plethora of good information on this subject. How REFRESHING to read posts, from those with differing opinions – without name calling
For SEO purposes, this blog was listed on the 3rd landing page of a Google search for “how much does the skin absorb topically”.
GREAT blog & comments!
July 26th, 2010 at 10:57 am
It’s definitely been an interesting topic, Sandy! The page does come up rather high in searches, and I know a lot of people are finding it. Hope you find the info you are looking for!