Percutaneous penetration of hexachlorophene as related to receptor solutions

The in vitro penetration of hexachlorophene (HCP) through the stratum corneum was investigated in relation to the receptor solution. Diffusion studies with human stratum corneum showed that 1.0% HCP in propylene glycol achieved a significantly greater (P < 0.025) mean maximum steady rate of penetration (over 1–24 hr) when normal saline was replaced by 0.2 m-phosphate buffer as the receptor solution. The varying degree of solubility of HCP in the reference solutions studied supports the penetration data. Under the experimental conditions used, HCP was not metabolized as it traversed the stratum corneum.