Comparison of diffusion by anionic surfactants through cellulose acetate and collagen membranes.

Synopsis From a dermatological point of view, it is important to know what is the irritation potential of surfactants on human skin. Recent research trends have been oriented towards the establishment of new 'in vitro' techniques that will avoid animal experimentation. In this paper, some results on the rate of diffusion of different anionic surfactants through both cellulose acetate and collagen membranes are described. A correlation between results of diffusion through the protein membrane and results published on the same surfactants and their irritation potential during 'in vivo' experiments appears possible.