Monitoring caffeine and resveratrol cutaneous permeation by confocal Raman microspectroscopy

Dynamic follow-up of exogenous molecules permeation through the skin is one among many competing applications for confocal Raman microspectroscopy. Previous studies showed the feasibility of tracking actives through the skin; the next step should be recording in vivo kinetics. Thus, we conducted a study to evaluate the possibility of detecting low concentrations of caffeine and resveratrol solutions through the skin using confocal Raman microspectroscopy. After topical application of each active on the skin surface, Raman profiles were recorded over nine hours. The challenge was to pursuit these actives respecting the concentration used in some dermatological formulations. Molecules were successfully detected and kinetic profiles were registered over time. The heterogeneity of skin structure and the complexity of molecules diffusion were reflected through the kinetic results.