INFLUENCE OF DETERGENTS ON SKIN(A CLINICAL ANDBIOCHEMICAL STUDY)

The influence of a number of detergents on the skin was investigated by five methods: estimation of the free amino acids in wash water obtained with a washing simulator; evaluation of the influence of the detergents on the amount of available sulfhydryl groups in callus; measurement of the permeation in vitro (Bettley); patch tests, and immersion tests. From the results it may be concluded that at least some of the detergents under investigation can damage the skin under circumstances comparable to actual use. Detergents can cause a chapped skin (état craquelé) independent of the effect of meteorological factors. No correlation was found between the irritancy of the detergents in the immersion tests and their action in other tests. However, the correspondence between the results of the patch tests and the permeation tests was rather good. The implications of these observations are discussed. © 1969 Springer-Verlag.