Topical creams, lotions oils and skin absorption

Factual Questions
1

Does rubbing of creams and lotions into the skin result in calories being absorbed? I recently read that coconut oil is very good for the skin and have started using it - if I were counting calories for diet should I be adding this?

Some brief searching suggests the answers are yes. This makes me rather alarmed for women who slather all manner of chemicals on their faces and bodies in the name of beauty - those chemicals which are meant for topical use only are going to still end up internal? :eek:

2

hmmm. bump…

3

No. A tiny amount may be absorbed, but the majority of the oils will simply mix with the natural oils in your skin and stay there until washed off.

Cite

However, note from the comments on that page that preamture babies, with thin and underdeveloped skin, can absorb lipids into the bloodstream through the skin.

4

Thanks for the cite. I also realized that even if the oils are absorbed, they’re not in a digested state so presumably no real use to the body.