Intercellular vs Follicular Delivery: How Products Actually Enter Skin

Skin isn’t a flat wall — it’s a complex, multi-pathway system.
There are two primary routes topical products use to move into skin:

Intercellular delivery

• Between skin cells
• Influenced by viscosity and lipid compatibility

Follicular delivery

• Via hair follicles and sebaceous units
• Often deeper and more efficient for certain actives

Many traditional products rely almost entirely on intercellular movement, which can be slow and inconsistent. Low-viscosity micellar systems naturally take advantage of both routes.

Key takeaway: Dual-route delivery improves consistency, comfort, and performance.