title: In vitro percutaneous absorption of the fragrance ingredient musk xylol.
abstract: The percutaneous absorption of the fragrance fixative musk xylol was measured in vitro in human and hairless guinea pig skin. For comparison, musk xylol was applied to skin in an oil-in-water emulsion or the volatile solvent, methanol. After 24 hr, total absorption of musk xylol in hairless guinea pig skin was 55% from the emulsion vehicle and 45% from the methanol vehicle. With human skin, permeation of musk xylol from both vehicles decreased to 22% of the applied dose. When human studies were continued for an additional 6 days after skin surface washing, only 6% of the applied dose remained in skin. The data suggest that most of the absorbed musk xylol in skin at 24 hr will be systemically absorbed in vivo within 1 wk. Throughout the 24-hr absorption study, absorbed musk xylol was not metabolized. A permeability constant for musk xylol permeation through hairless guinea pig skin was determined by a modified procedure for the lipophilic compound. At each time point, some diffusion cells were terminated so that skin and receptor fluid levels could be determined. Under steady-state absorption the permeability constant was 6.86 x 10(-5) cm/hr. The amount of musk xylol penetrating skin from three types of cosmetic products was also calculated on the basis of actual conditions of use. Products that are applied to large areas of the body and remain on the skin for long periods will result in the greatest absorption of musk xylol.
authors.affiliation: Office of Cosmetics and Colors, Food and Drug Administration, Laurel, MD 20708, USA.
authors.forename: H L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Hood
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Wickett
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Bronaugh
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004655:Emulsions / Q000737:chemistry; D005079:Excipients / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D000432:Methanol / Q000737:chemistry; D009821:Oils / Q000737:chemistry; D010476:Perfume / Q000378:metabolism*; D012869:Skin Absorption; D013997:Time Factors; D014992:Xylenes / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D004655:Emulsions; D005079:Excipients; D009821:Oils; D010476:Perfume; D014992:Xylenes; C031447:musk xylene; D000432:Methanol