Gel reveals absorbing nature of skin

Many people consider their skin to be an impenetrable barrier that can stop anything they put on it from being absorbed into their body.

However a new form of contraception is revealing that this is really not the case.

A contraceptive gel has been developed that, although still in the testing stage, appears to be effective in preventing pregnancy.

The see-through gel can be rubbed into the arms, legs, shoulders or abdomen and is absorbed through the skin to deliver the necessary hormones (progesterone and oestrogen) to the body.

It is a great example of why we should think a bit more about the ingredients of skin creams, make-up and toiletries and how they can affect our bodies.

Ingredients such as parabens are mild oestrogen-mimics, whilst the lanolin found in cosmetics may contain organophosphates from sheep dip!

Polyethylene glycol, ethyl alcohol and propylene glycol are all commonly used in skin care products and help to transport other ingredients into the skin.