US EPA

193401 

Journal Article 

Penetration and visualization of titanium dioxide microparticles in human stratum corneum - Effect of different formulations on the penetration of titanium dioxide 

Gottbrath, S; Mueller-Goymann, CC 

2003 

0 

SOFW Journal
ISSN: 0942-7694 

129 

3 

11-17 

Physical sunscreens are often used in commercial sunscreen products. The aim of this study was the investigation of titanium dioxide penetration into human stratum corneum and to show the effect of different formulations on the degree of penetration. Penetration of titanium dioxide into stratum corneum was investigated by tape stripping. For the visualization of the microparticles on the human stratum corneum transmission electron microscopy was used. The micrographs show the spreading of the titanium dioxide microparticles on the human skin surface and the residence of the microparticles in the valleys between the corneocytes. The penetration profiles of titanium dioxide reveal significant differences after application of a liposomal formulation versus a micellar solution with dispersed titanium dioxide. Higher amounts of titanium dioxide were detected in deeper layers of the stratum corneum after application of the liposomal formulation compared to the micellar solution. 

Titanium dioxide; physical sunscreen; tape stripping; transmission electron microscopy