Chemical Name

Thanks for the very quick reply. I'm not sure if it is the same chemical I'm thinking of, but DMSO does seem to fit the description very well and certainly looks able to do the job.

In the mean time, I'll have to dig out my old copy of The Poor Man's James Bond to confirm your answer.

GA for your quick and fairly accurate answer, because even if it isn't the right answer, at least I can use it as a substitute.

Tornado is right. Dimethylsulfoxide is the chemical. It is analogous to acetone in that, if you replace the sulfur atom with a carbon.

MSDS

Careful be.

I would suggest that before you use DMSO in any recreational way that you consult the MSDS for it.

This admonishment isn't for you two, but for anyone else who may not be familiar with the handling of chemicals that are readily absorbed through the skin.

Let's be responsible.

Good point. In fact, your advice applies to ANY chemical at all. People familiar with handling toxic chemicals will be all too familiar with your advice; the real problem would be with casual browsers who have never handled hazardous materials before or the college frat boys. These are the guys who are likely to get in trouble with such substances.

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=MSDS&sourceid=ie7&rls=com.microsoft:en-gb:IE-SearchBox&ie=&oe=&rlz=1I7GZEU_en&redir_esc=&ei=rmNgTNH6GJn00gTF_rnJBw

As I recall, DMSO is a solvent that readily transmits through the skin. This might enable it to transport vaccines or drugs into the body without hypodermic needles. This could be beneficial, but Lynlynch's cautions would surely apply.

Great, thanks. GA for your helpful answer too. Okay, what I have in mind is to use coconut oil emulsified with natural plant nutrients such as ginseng extract. The DMSO is to enhance the absorption of the nutrients. I'm thinking of doing this to create a microenterprise producing organic skin care products for impoverished people to earn a living.

You guys may be thinking: "What, has the Dark Lord of the Sith gone soft?" Hardly. First, once these people earn money, they can be taxed, so that's extra income for the Empire, whereas rampant poverty does nothing good for any nation. Next, with me monitoring the process, it will be next to impossible for rebel assassins to put in poisons to kill off prominent female Imperial leaders. So you see, that's method in my madness.

DMSO is what Your looking for. obtainable from united nuclear.Located in Ann Arbor Michigan I think.

oilcan13

There are compounds like prolinol or proline esters that are used on medical patches to allow transdermal passage of nitroglycrin. It may also be used with other medications and perhaps even nicotine.

One thing I learned about the patches is that after you use them to be sure to wash the removed patch area thoroughly. Anything can pass through the site where the patch was including many toxic compounds.

Don't know if this helps but FYI.

A down-side to using DMSO is that it can impart a garlic-like taste in the mouth after skin contact. The prolinol route may be better.

I am not so sure I would be keen to use something containing DMSO on my skin.

My favourite first site for chemicals is:

http://cameochemicals.noaa.gov/

For DMSO I get:

http://cameochemicals.noaa.gov/chemical/8559

Clicking on CHRIS code in above gives more information (CHRIS = Chemical Hazards Response Information System)

I find this quite a nice site as you can also 'mix' chemicals

DMSO

You have received some good responses to your question. Although DMSO has a long history as a solvent it is not FDA approved for human use. As a supplier of raw materials and ingedients our company has supplied DMSO to companies making joint inflammation products for horses. We carry pure DMSO and DMSO/Aloe Vera. It does have a rather unpleasant odor and I have never heard the claim that DMSO would drive other fragrances to the olefactory system. Like all chemicals there is a variety of grades.

Since you are considering homemade creams I should mention the attributes of hemp seed oil. It is considered by many professionals to be nature's most perfectly balanced oil. The other oil very much suited for skin, dental and hair care products is neem oil. And since you mentioned coconut oil, you might consider fractionated coconut oil. It does not leave a oily film on the skin. We have alot of info on our site at www.pureandsimpleways.com

I believe our Natural Remedies Encyclopedia has some info on DMSO.

The chemical is DMSO and it does penetrate the skin, taking with it whatever is dissolved in the DMSO. Back in the 60's and 70's there were a number of proposed application to use DMSO to treat arthritis by delivering the medication directly to the joint.

Unfortunately, DMSO also takes with it all the trace impurities contained in the DMSO as well as trace impurities originally contained in the dissolved materials. Many of these trace impurities are toxic.

My point being that if you contemplate using DMSO be very careful to avoid skin contact. Further, if you contemplate using DMSO in an formulation where skin penetration is the objective, only use spectroscopically pure DMSO AND be very sure that the other materials, including impurities, are non-toxic.

An, interesting effect of exposure to DMSO is that immediately after exposure, one has a strong garlic taste and garlic breath. So, if you plan on being close to anyone, stay away from DMSO.

In short, DMSO should be used very carefully and then only by someone having the skill and knowledge to handle DMSO properly. It is not a parlor trck to taste orange juice without having to drink it.

GA harralrw. I don't feel DMSO should be used at all for cosmetic application to the skin. Once applied the user is very open to other toxins (fly dope, gasoline, household cleaners, etc) found in everyday use products. Other compounds are out there with limited approval as I suggested in my earlier post but even then I do not feel comfortable applying transdermal materials. At least medicinal patches are very localized on the skin and can be cleaned easily.

Unless the dark force has a more mundane use for these transdermal products, I would avoid them all together.