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Copyright @ Pol J Cosmetol
Pol J Cosmetol 2020, 23(2): 88-93pl  Influnce of quaternary ammonium salts on the penetration of active substances through the skinJacek Arct 1/, Anna Wóltańska 2/, Katarzyna Pytkowska 3/, Magdalena Krulikowska 4/ 1/ Fundacja dr Seidla w Warszawie 2/ Politechnika Warszawska 3/ Uczelnia Medyczna im. Marii Skłodowskej-Curie w Warszawie 4/ Henkel Polska Summary Quaternary ammonium salts substituted with alkyl residues are commonly used in cosmetics as anti-microorganisms and as conditioning substances in hair preparations. At the same time, the amount of information on the influence of these surfactants on the penetration of other substances through the skin is neglible. The effect of ammonium compounds substituted with one or two long chain alkyl groups on the penetration of benzoic acid and its more lipophilic derivatives, non-ionised lidocaine, diazepam and salicylic anion was studied in detail. It has been demonstrated that the tested ammonium salts significantly increase the permeation rate of other compounds. Based on the results of these studies, speculation about the mechanism of action of ammonium salts on the processes of penetration through the epidermis is not entirely clear. Newer studies on gemini cationic surfactants seem to confirm the relationships described in earlier works. It seems that due to the prevalence of cationic surfactants in cosmetics, there is an urgent need to undertake systematic studies on the effects of these compounds on the penetration of other cosmetic raw materials through the skin. Key words: penetration through the skin, ammonium salts, surfactants, lipophilicity, benzoic acid, lidocaine, diazepam, salicylate |