Relipidization in disinfectants

Re-lipidation means that the skin is protected from drying out by certain ingredients - re-lipidating agents - in disinfectants containing surfactants or other skin preparations. The purpose of re-lipidation is to maintain the skin's protective lipid film during skin and hand disinfection.

Disinfectants contain surfactants. These substances reduce the surface tension of liquids, allowing liquids that would otherwise be immiscible to mix. In this context, surfactants are also referred to as emulsifiers because they are used to form emulsions. However, surfactants also attack the skin's protective lipid film and can cause the skin to dry out, subsequently leading to skin irritation and inflammation.

Re-lipidating substances such as fatty acid esters or fatty alcohols are added to disinfectants as re-lipidating agents to counteract the degreasing effect of surfactants.