Can chemicals penetrate your skin?

The short answer is yes. Your skin can protect your body from a variety of external forces, but chemicals are not among them. Chemicals can penetrate into and through your skin in three different ways.

Between your skin cells (intercellular lipid pathway)

The surface of your skin, known as the epidermis, consists of several layers of cells. The spaces between cells in the top layer are filled with substances such as fats, oils, or waxes known as lipids. Some chemicals can get into your body by diffusing through these lipid-filled spaces.

Cell to cell

Chemicals can make their way through the top layer of skin cells through a process called permeation. The process begins when molecules enter a cell and then make their way through the cell walls into neighboring cells.

 Through hair follicles and glands

The third way chemicals are able to penetrate your skin is through tiny openings created by hair follicles, oil glands, and sweat glands. Chemicals can slowly use this pathway as they make their way through your skin, reaching into the dermis layer where blood vessels are located.

Reference: CDC, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)

“Skin Exposures & Effects.”

About Sutton Family Skin Care

Sutton Family Skin Care is a family-owned business based in Chinchilla, Pennsylvania. Its products are made in the USA with all-natural ingredients and 100 percent free from animal testing. For more information about Sutton Family Skin Care products or to place an order, please visit https://suttonfamilyskincare.com/, email info@suttonfamilyskincare.com, or call 888-272-5788.