Ethosome

Ethosomes were developed by Touitou et al.,1997, as additional novel lipid carriers composed of ethanol, phospholipids, and water.

Ethanol is an efficient permeation enhancer that is believed to act by affecting the intercellular region of the stratum corneum.

Ethosomes are soft malleable vesicles composed mainly of phospholipids, ethanol (relatively high concentration), and water.

[citation needed] They have high penetration of the horny layer of the skin, which enhances the permeation of encapsulated drugs.

[4][5] Because of their unique structure, ethosomes are able to efficiently encapsulate and deliver into the skin highly lipophilic molecules such as testosterone, cannabinoids and ibuprofen, as well as hydrophilic drugs such as clindamycin phosphate, buspirone hydrochloride.