The mode of action of ethyl lactate as a treatment for acne

We have shown that an alcoholic lotion containing ethyl lactate when applied topically to rat skin under occlusion became localized in the follicles and sebaceous glands. When applied to human facial skin the ethyl lactate was hydrolysed to ethanol and lactic acid, and thereby lowered the skin pH. U...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inBritish journal of dermatology (1951) Vol. 110; no. 4; p. 475
Main Authors Prottey, C, George, D, Leech, R W, Black, J G, Howes, D, Vickers, C F
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published England 01.04.1984
Subjects
Acne Vulgaris - drug therapy
Acne Vulgaris - metabolism
Acne Vulgaris - microbiology
Adolescent
Adult
Animals
Ethanol - metabolism
Female
Humans
Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
Lactates - metabolism
Lactates - therapeutic use
Lactic Acid
Male
Propionibacterium acnes - drug effects
Propionibacterium acnes - growth & development
Rats
Sebum - metabolism
Skin - metabolism
Skin - microbiology
Online AccessGet more information

Cover

More Information
Summary:We have shown that an alcoholic lotion containing ethyl lactate when applied topically to rat skin under occlusion became localized in the follicles and sebaceous glands. When applied to human facial skin the ethyl lactate was hydrolysed to ethanol and lactic acid, and thereby lowered the skin pH. Under such conditions the growth of recoverable skin bacteria, in particular the anaerobe Propionibacterium acnes, was inhibited, and the hydrolysis of sebum to free fatty acids by lipase derived from the bacteria was greatly impaired. These effects of ethyl lactate would account for its observed clinical efficacy in acne vulgaris.
ISSN:0007-0963
DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2133.1984.tb04663.x