What evidence is there to support claims that many chemicals are absorbed through the skin?
Until the fairly recently it was believed that the skin was an efficient barrier that prevented external substances from entering the body. This theory was challenged back in the 1960’s with the development of the drug DMSO which was shown to transport other substances through the skin barrier and into the bloodstream. The ability of many chemicals to be absorbed trough the skin is now widely accepted and in some cases is used as a route of medication. Drugs such as nicotine and female hormones are now routinely administered in the form of a skin patch and are readily absorbed into the body. Studies have shown that most substances can be absorbed through the skin and that up to 60% of any substance applied to the skin may enter the body through this route.
