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J. Soc. Cosmet. Chem., 37, 351-357 (September/October 1986) In vivo relationship between percutaneous absorption and transepidermal water loss according to anatomic site in man DIDIER DUPUIS, ANDRI• ROUGIER, CLAIRE LOTTE, DONALD R. WILSON, and HOWARD I. MAIBACH, Ddpartement de Bio/ogie, Laboratoires de Recherche Fondamenta/e de L'Oreal, 1 avenue Eugbne Schue//er, 93600 Au/nay sous bois, France (D. D., A.R., C.L. ), and Department of Dermato/ogy, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143 (D.R.W, H.I.M.). Received May 2 7, 1986. Synopsis The relation between transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and percutaneous absorption of benzoic acid has been studied as a function of anatomic location in vivo in man. The results suggest a possible linear relation (r = 0.97, p 0.001) between the two parameters. This confirms the importance of anatomic site on the degree of permeability of the cutaneous barrier and the value of measurements of TEWL and penetration in the evaluation of its functional state. INTRODUCTION In its role as a barrier, the skin participates in homeostasis by limiting 1): water loss (1,2), and 2): percutaneous absorption of environmental agents (3,4). The stratum corneum's role of a double barrier is intimately linked to its degree of hydration (5,6), transport mechanisms being diffusional (3,7). In man (8,9) and in animals (10), an increase in water permeability of the skin corresponds to an increase in permeability to topically applied compounds. However, most of the studies dealing with this topic are only qualitative observations and the relationship linking these two parameters is unknown. At present, TEWL can be considered a parameter indicative of the functional state of the cutaneous barrier (11, 12, 13). Among the factors modifying the in vivo percutaneous absorption of a compound, anatomic site is of particular importance (14, 15). The present study attempts to establish the relationship between TEWL and penetra- tion, as a function of anatomic site in man. 351