Percutaneous penetration of hydrocortisone in humans following skin delipidization by 1:1:1 trichloroethane

The effect of skin delipidization in humans on the percutaneous penetration of hydrocortisone was investigated in a cross-over trial. The delipidizing agent was 1:1:1 trichloroethane, a common industrial organic solvent. The findings do not show any significant difference in the topical absorption of hydrocortisone with and without skin delipidization. It was postulated that the natural skin barrier was reestablished by the metabolic cutaneous lipid regeneration concomitant with the absorption of the fatty ingredients from the cream.