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
- Can provide an important reservoir and delivery pathway 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: Formulations designed to support both intercellular and follicular delivery pathways may provide broader, more consistent topical delivery while supporting lightweight, user-friendly application.
