Permeation of hairless mouse skin I: Experimental methods and comparison with human epidermal permeation by alkanols.

The permeation of intact hairless mouse skin by alkanols was studied. The method is described, and data for the quasi-steady-state and nonstationary-state aspects of mass transfer are given. Partitioning data also are presented. The permeability coefficients increased exponentially up to a carbon chain length of about eight (octanol). There was a marked temperature dependency (Ea congruent to 19 kcal for the series), and the partitioning was biphasic, increasing exponentially for alkanols larger than butanol. These data are compared with literature data on human skin tissues, and great similarity in all facets of behavior is noted.