Consideration on the Formulation of Benzoyl Peroxide at Ambient Temperature: Choice of Non-Polar Solvent and Preparation of Submicron Emulsion Gels

ABSTRACTThe aim of this study performed at ambient temperature was first to determine the solubility of benzoyl peroxide in various solvents with a large range of polarity. All these solvents can be used in the dermatological field. Then, using the most suitable solvent, a new drug vehicle submicron oil-in-water emulsion was formulated. Correlation between dielectric constant (e) and drug solubility in various solvents and different binary mixtures was verified. An original ternary diagram with surfactant–co-surfactant/oil/water was performed at low temperature to determine the regions of submicron emulsions. A dramatic change in the magnitude of benzoyl peroxide solubility occurred above a dielectric constant value of about 20. The solubility of this drug can be enhanced by the replacement of polar solvent by a vehicle of lower dielectric constant. A stable submicron emulsion gel was made with cremophor EL, glycerol, caprilic–capric triglycerides, and water in the proportion of 20–20/35/25, respectively;...