INVITRO PERMEATION OF AZELAIC ACID FROM VISCOSIZED MICROEMULSIONS

The transport of azelaic acid, a bioactive molecule used in treating acne and many skin disorders, from a viscosized microemulsion and from a gel through full thickness abdominal skin was examined. A lag time was evident in both systems. The percentage of azelaic acid transported from the microemulsion was several times higher than that from the gel. The effect of dimethyl sulfoxide, chosen as a model enhancer, on transport was also investigated. After 8 h from the viscosized microemulsions, 43 and 64% of the initial amount passed through hairless skin in the presence of 1 and 2% of dimethyl sulfoxide, respectively.