Investigation on the effect of benzoyl peroxide on skin lipid production of the sebaceous glands

11 healthy males have been treated on one side of the forehead with alcohol gel containing 10% benzoyl peroxide for five weeks and on the other side of the forehead with gel containing no agent. After 8 days tissue was excised and investigated with 3H- and 14C-thymidine double-labelling autoradiography. In comparison to the base without agent, benzoyl peroxide significantly reduced cell proliferation (= number of single-labeled 3H cells), significantly lengthened the duration of the S phase, and significantly reduced the size of the sebaceous glands. Determination of lipids on the skin surface (direct extraction, gravimetric determination, casual level and replacement sum) as well as thin layer chromatography measurements of the squalene portion of the lipid mixture did not reveal reduction of the amount of skin surface lipids. These seemingly contradictory results are probably due to the additional effect of benzoyl peroxide on secretion of the sebaceous glands. (author)