Eight Oils, Five Pathways, One Compound: The Published Research Behind Golden Oil

Golden Oil is a topical scalp compound containing eight cold-pressed botanical oils and vitamin E. Each ingredient was selected for a specific, documented function, not for label appeal, not for trend value, and not because it sounds natural.

Hair loss is not a single problem. Published research identifies at least five distinct biological pathways involved in hair thinning: androgen-mediated follicle miniaturization, reduced scalp microcirculation, chronic follicular inflammation, structural protein degradation, and oxidative stress at the dermal papilla. No single oil addresses all five. That is the rationale behind the compound.

The ingredients in Golden Oil range from clinically studied (rosemary oil matched minoxidil in a six-month randomized trial) to traditionally used (batana oil has been applied to hair and skin by the Miskito people of Honduras for generations). This page presents the published research behind each ingredient, what has been studied, what was found, and where the evidence stands. Studies are cited with full references and linked to their original publications so you can read them yourself.

We built this page because we believe you deserve to see the science before you buy, not after.

The Engine: Oils With Published Evidence for Hair & Scalp

The ingredients below have been evaluated in peer-reviewed research indexed in PubMed, the U.S. National Library of Medicine database, including a randomized controlled trial that directly compared a botanical oil to a pharmaceutical, preclinical studies measuring follicle response, and published reviews documenting scalp and hair benefits.

  • Rosemary Oil (Rosmarinus officinalis)

    Function: DHT pathway inhibition + scalp microcirculation

    Key finding: Matched the performance of 2% minoxidil in a six-month randomized trial involving 100 participants with androgenetic alopecia. The rosemary group experienced significantly less scalp irritation.

    Study: Rosemary oil vs minoxidil 2% for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia: a randomized comparative trial

    Authors: Panahi Y, Taghizadeh M, Marzony ET, Sahebkar A
    Journal: SKINmed, 2015, Vol. 13(1), pp. 15-21
    PMID: 25842469
    Design: Randomized controlled trial, 100 patients, 6 months

    Results: Both groups showed significant hair count increases at 6 months compared to baseline. No significant difference between rosemary and minoxidil groups at either the 3-month or 6-month endpoint. Scalp itching was significantly more frequent in the minoxidil group at both time points.

    A separate review in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology (Dhariwala & Ravikumar, 2019) confirmed rosemary's 5-alpha-reductase inhibitory activity, the same enzyme pathway targeted by the prescription drug finasteride. DOI: 10.1111/jocd.12930

  • Peppermint Oil (Mentha piperita)

    Function: DHT pathway inhibition + scalp microcirculation

    Key finding: Matched the performance of 2% minoxidil in a six-month randomized trial involving 100 participants with androgenetic alopecia. The rosemary group experienced significantly less scalp irritation.

    Study: Peppermint Oil Promotes Hair Growth without Toxic Signs

    Authors: Oh JY, Park MA, Kim YC
    Journal: Toxicological Research, 2014, Vol. 30(4), pp. 297-304
    PMID: 25584150 | PMC: PMC4289931
    DOI: 10.5487/TR.2014.30.4.297
    Design: Controlled animal study, C57BL/6 mice, 4 groups (saline, jojoba oil, 3% minoxidil, 3% peppermint oil), 4 weeks

    Results: The peppermint oil group showed the most prominent hair growth effects of all four groups. Significant increases in dermal thickness, follicle number, and follicle depth. Alkaline phosphatase activity and IGF-1 expression, both established biomarkers for hair growth, were significantly elevated. The study concluded that peppermint oil induces rapid anagen stage entry.

    Note: This was a preclinical (animal model) study. Human clinical trials on peppermint oil for hair growth have not yet been published. The biological markers measured (ALP, IGF-1) are validated indicators of follicle activity in human physiology.

  • Coconut Oil (Cocos nucifera)

    Function: Hair protein loss prevention + structural penetration

    Key finding: The only oil tested (out of coconut, mineral, and sunflower) that reduced protein loss in both damaged and undamaged hair. Its lauric acid penetrates the hair shaft due to its low molecular weight and straight-chain structure.

    Study 1: Effect of mineral oil, sunflower oil, and coconut oil on prevention of hair damage

    Authors: Rele AS, Mohile RB
    Journal: Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2003, Vol. 54(2), pp. 175-192
    PMID: 12715094
    Design: Comparative study, multiple hair types, pre-wash and post-wash applications

    Results: Coconut oil was the only oil that significantly reduced protein loss for both undamaged and damaged hair. Mineral oil and sunflower oil showed no protein protection. The difference was attributed to coconut oil's high lauric acid content, which has strong affinity for hair proteins and sufficient molecular penetration capability.

    Study 2: Benefit of coconut-based hair oil via hair porosity quantification

    Authors: Kaushik V, Kumar A, Gosvami NN, et al.
    Journal: International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2022, Vol. 44(3), pp. 289-298
    PMID: 35377477 | DOI: 10.1111/ics.12774

    Results:     Coconut-based hair oils prevented increases in hair porosity from surfactant damage by forming a dense diffusion barrier in the cortex and cell membrane complex. Statistically significant damage repair was confirmed, with pronounced color protection effects indicating deep structural penetration.

    DHT pathway: Lauric acid, coconut oil's primary fatty acid, has demonstrated 5-alpha-reductase inhibitory activity in laboratory studies (Liu et al., 2009, Chemistry & Biodiversity). DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.200800125

  • Jojoba Oil (Simmondsia chinensis)

    Function: Sebum-mimicking carrier + scalp barrier support + delivery enhancement

    Key finding: Jojoba is structurally unique among plant oils, composed of liquid wax esters rather than triglycerides, making it the closest botanical match to human sebum. Published reviews document its traditional and pharmacological use for scalp disorders and hair growth, along with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties.

    Study 1: Effect of mineral oil, sunflower oil, and coconut oil on prevention of hair damage

    Authors: Rele AS, Mohile RB
    Journal: Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2003, Vol. 54(2), pp. 175-192
    PMID: 12715094
    Design: Comparative study, multiple hair types, pre-wash and post-wash applications

    Results: Coconut oil was the only oil that significantly reduced protein loss for both undamaged and damaged hair. Mineral oil and sunflower oil showed no protein protection. The difference was attributed to coconut oil's high lauric acid content, which has strong affinity for hair proteins and sufficient molecular penetration capability.

    Study 2: Benefit of coconut-based hair oil via hair porosity quantification

    Authors: Kaushik V, Kumar A, Gosvami NN, et al.
    Journal: International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2022, Vol. 44(3), pp. 289-298
    PMID: 35377477 | DOI: 10.1111/ics.12774

    Results:     Coconut-based hair oils prevented increases in hair porosity from surfactant damage by forming a dense diffusion barrier in the cortex and cell membrane complex. Statistically significant damage repair was confirmed, with pronounced color protection effects indicating deep structural penetration.

    DHT pathway: Lauric acid, coconut oil's primary fatty acid, has demonstrated 5-alpha-reductase inhibitory activity in laboratory studies (Liu et al., 2009, Chemistry & Biodiversity). DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.200800125

    The Foundation: Oils With Published Evidence for Scalp Biology

    Hair doesn't grow in isolation. It grows from a scalp. The four ingredients below target the environment where follicles live, reducing inflammation, repairing the lipid barrier, improving hair quality, and protecting against oxidative damage. Their published evidence comes from dermatology reviews, systematic reviews, and laboratory studies on the biological mechanisms that keep a scalp capable of sustaining healthy growth.

    • Castor Oil (Ricinus communis)

      Function: Hair quality improvement + ricinoleic acid anti-inflammatory activity

      Key finding: A 2022 systematic review in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology found evidence for castor oil improving hair luster and quality. Its primary fatty acid, ricinoleic acid (approximately 90% of castor oil's composition), has documented analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties relevant to scalp health.

      Study 1: Coconut, Castor, and Argan Oil for Hair in Skin of Color Patients: A Systematic Review

      Authors: Phong C, Lee V, Yale K, Sung C, Mesinkovska N
      Journal: Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2022, Vol. 21(7), pp. 751-757
      PMID: 35816075
      DOI: 10.36849/JDD.6972
      Design: Systematic review analyzing 22 articles that met inclusion criteria, evaluating coconut, castor, and argan oils for hair growth, hair quality, and treatment of infestation.

      Results for castor oil: Evidence was found for castor oil improving hair quality by increasing hair luster. The review found no strong evidence supporting its use specifically for hair growth, and no significant evidence for treatment of infestation.

      Study 2: Hair Oils: Indigenous Knowledge Revisited

      Authors: Mysore V, Arghya A
      Journal: International Journal of Trichology, 2022, Vol. 14(3), pp. 84-90
      PMID: 35755964 | PMC: PMC9231528
      DOI: 10.4103/ijt.ijt_189_20

      Scope:       Review covering the effects of various hair oils including castor oil. Notes that the primary function of most hair oils is emollient action, but unique characteristics of individual oils suggest effects beyond basic emollient properties.

      Anti-inflammatory mechanism: Ricinoleic acid, which constitutes approximately 90% of castor oil, has demonstrated analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties in published research on topical skin applications (Nada et al., 2018, Polymers for Advanced Technologies). PMID: 30923437, DOI: 10.1002/pat.4288

      Note: The systematic review (Phong et al., 2022) is transparent about the limits of current evidence, castor oil's documented benefit is hair quality and luster, not hair growth. In Golden Oil, castor oil's role is conditioning the hair shaft and contributing anti-inflammatory support to the scalp environment, not acting as a standalone growth agent.

    • Olive Oil (Olea europaea)

      Function: Scalp barrier repair + anti-inflammatory support

      Key finding: Evaluated in a UC Davis dermatology review as one of six natural oils with documented skin barrier repair properties. Rich in squalene and oleic acid, olive oil contributes anti-inflammatory and moisturizing activity to the scalp, the tissue layer that sits directly above the hair follicle.

      Review 1: Natural Oils for Skin-Barrier Repair: Ancient Compounds Now Backed by Modern Science

      Authors: Vaughn AR, Clark AK, Sivamani RK, Shi VY
      Journal: American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2018, Vol. 19(1), pp. 103-117
      Institution: University of California-Davis, Department of Dermatology
      PMID: 28707186
      DOI: 10.1007/s40257-017-0301-1

      Scope: This review evaluated natural plant-based oils for skin barrier repair, with specific sections on olive oil, coconut oil, jojoba oil, sunflower seed oil, argan oil, and oat oil. The review confirmed that many natural oils possess compounds with antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-itch properties. It also established that cold pressing is the preferred extraction method, as the heat- and chemical-free process preserves beneficial lipids and limits irritating byproducts.

      Olive oil findings: Rich in squalene and oleic acid with documented anti-inflammatory and barrier-repair functions. The review notes the importance of fatty acid ratios in determining barrier repair potential.

      Review 2: Vegetable butters and oils in skin wound healing

      Authors: Poljšak N, Kreft S, Kočevar Glavač N
      Journal: Phytotherapy Research, 2019, Vol. 34(2), pp. 254-269
      PMID: 31657094
      DOI: 10.1002/ptr.6524

      Scope: Review of vegetable oils for wound healing covering 18 oils including olive oil. Confirmed anti-inflammatory activity and barrier-repair functions. The review noted that oils with higher linoleic to oleic acid ratios are more effective for lipid barrier repair, and that in many cases, vegetable oils proved more effective than synthetic compounds used as controls.

      Note: Olive oil has not been studied in isolation for hair growth. Its role in Golden Oil is environmental, maintaining the moisture balance and reducing inflammation in the scalp tissue where follicles are anchored.

    • Avocado Oil (Persea americana/gratissima)

      Function: Collagen synthesis + tissue repair + dual scalp-and-strand penetration

      Key finding: A controlled study demonstrated that avocado oil promoted increased collagen synthesis, anti-inflammatory activity, and accelerated wound healing when applied topically, properties directly relevant to maintaining the structural integrity of scalp tissue.

      Study: Effect of semisolid formulation of Persea americana Mill (avocado) oil on wound healing in rats

      Authors: de Oliveira AP, Franco ES, Rodrigues Barreto R, et al.
      Journal: Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2013
      Institution: Federal University of Pernambuco, Department of Pathology
      PMID: 23573130 | PMC: PMC3614059
      DOI: 10.1155/2013/472382
      Design: Controlled study using incisional and excisional wound models in Wistar rats, comparing avocado oil against petroleum jelly control over 14 days.

      Results: Significant increases in wound contraction and re-epithelialization were observed in the avocado oil groups compared to control. Anti-inflammatory activity, increased collagen density, and improved tensile strength were documented. The oil's fatty acid composition was analyzed: 47.2% oleic acid, 23.7% palmitic acid, 13.5% linoleic acid, and several additional fatty acids. The researchers concluded that avocado oil can promote collagen synthesis and decrease inflammatory cell numbers during healing.

      Skin barrier context: Also covered in Vaughn et al. (2018, UC Davis) and Poljšak et al. (2019) reviews for its anti-inflammatory and barrier-repair properties alongside other vegetable oils. Both reviews are cited in full under Olive Oil above.

      Note: Avocado oil has not been studied specifically for hair growth. Its documented contribution is structural, collagen synthesis, tissue repair, and anti-inflammatory activity in the scalp environment that supports follicle health from the tissue level.

    • Vitamin E (Tocopherol)

      Function: Antioxidant protection against scalp oxidative stress + formulation preservation

      Key finding: Published research has documented significantly elevated oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in the scalps of people experiencing hair loss, in some cases three times higher than healthy controls. Alpha-tocopherol, one of the body's primary lipid-soluble antioxidants, has been shown to reach the scalp surface through sebaceous gland transport.

      Study 1: Antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation in the scalp of patients with alopecia areata

      Authors: Akar A, Arca E, Erbil H, Akay C, Sayal A, Gür AR
      Journal: Journal of Dermatological Science, 2002, Vol. 29(2), pp. 85-90
      Institution: GATA School of Medicine, Ankara
      PMID: 12088608
      DOI: 10.1016/s0923-1811(02)00015-4
      Design: Measured lipid peroxidation (TBARS) and antioxidant enzyme activity (SOD, GSH-Px) in the scalp tissue of 10 alopecia patients and 10 controls.

      Results: Lipid peroxidation in the scalps of alopecia patients was approximately three times higher than controls (3,654 vs. 1,210 nmol/g tissue). Antioxidant enzyme levels were also elevated, but insufficient to counteract the oxidative damage. The researchers concluded that oxidative status is affected in alopecia and that lipid peroxidation may be involved in its pathogenesis.

      Study 2: Lipid peroxidation/antioxidant activity in patients with alopecia areata

      Authors:       Abdel Fattah NSA, Ebrahim AA, El Okda ES
      Journal: Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2011, Vol. 25(4), pp. 403-408
      PMID: 20629847
      DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-3083.2010.03799.x
      Design: Case-control study comparing 50 alopecia areata patients against 50 matched controls (25 with acne as an oxidative stress condition, 25 healthy volunteers).

      Results: Significantly higher lipid peroxidation and lower antioxidant activity were found in alopecia patients compared with healthy controls. Oxidative stress parameters showed significant differences with disease duration, pattern, and extent. The researchers concluded that "addition of drugs with antioxidative effects seems to be valuable in treatment."

      Scalp transport mechanism: Sebaceous glands serve as a transport system carrying alpha-tocopherol from the bloodstream to the skin surface, with the highest concentrations found in sebum-rich areas. Oral supplementation of moderate doses of alpha-tocopherol for at least three weeks leads to significant increases of vitamin E levels in skin sites with high density of sebaceous glands. (Ekanayake-Mudiyanselage & Thiele, 2006, Northwestern University, Der Hautarzt. PMID: 16477469, DOI: 10.1007/s00105-005-1090-7)

      Note: Clinical trials on tocopherol specifically for hair growth have not been published. Its inclusion in Golden Oil is based on two documented relationships: the established link between scalp oxidative stress and hair loss, and tocopherol's proven antioxidant function. Tocopherol also serves a secondary role as a natural preservative, protecting the other seven cold-pressed oils from oxidative degradation in the bottle.

      The Tradition: One Oil With Centuries of Use

      Not every ingredient earns its place through a clinical trial. Some earn it through generations of consistent use and a composition that the published research on fatty acids and antioxidants helps explain.

      Batana oil is the highest-concentration ingredient in Golden Oil, listed first on the INCI label by formulation weight.

      • Batana Oil (Elaeis oleifera)

        Function: Deep conditioning + scalp nourishment

        Key finding: Rich in oleic, palmitic, linoleic, and stearic acids, plus carotenoids and lycopene. Used for generations by the Miskito people of Honduras for hair and skin care. No clinical trials currently indexed in PubMed.

        Clinical research status: There are currently no clinical trials on batana oil for hair growth or scalp health indexed in PubMed. We want to be direct about that.

        Composition: Dermatologist Omer Ibrahim, MD has noted that batana oil is rich in oleic acid, palmitic acid, linoleic acid, and stearic acid — fatty acids that help moisturize hair and scalp, increasing shine and strength. It also contains carotenoids (alpha and beta carotenes, which convert to vitamin A) and lycopene, an antioxidant that protects against oxidative damage.

        Concentration: Batana oil is listed first on the Golden Oil INCI label, meaning it makes up the largest proportion of the compound by volume. This is not a trace ingredient added for marketing. It is the base of the formulation.

        Traditional use: Batana oil has been used by the Miskito people of Central America for hair and skin care for generations — long before clinical research existed to study why it worked. The Miskito are sometimes referred to as the "Tawira" people, which translates to "people of beautiful hair."

        Growing recognition: Interest in batana oil grew over 9,900% in two years, reaching approximately one million monthly searches by mid-2024. TikTok Shop reported a 168% increase in users searching for batana oil in a single week in September 2024. This trajectory mirrors how rosemary oil gained mainstream awareness before the Panahi et al. (2015) clinical trial validated what traditional users already knew.

        We included batana oil because the formulation data supported it, the traditional evidence was consistent, and the fatty acid profile filled the primary carrier role in the compound. When published research catches up, this section will be updated with citations. Until then, transparency is the only honest approach.

        Five Pathways No Single Oil Can Cover

        Every ingredient above serves a documented function. But the reason Golden Oil exists as a compound, rather than eight separate bottles, is that hair loss is not a single-pathway problem.

        Published research identifies at least five distinct biological mechanisms involved in hair thinning. No single oil addresses all five.

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        DHT Suppression [Rosemary oil, coconut oil]

        Reducing the hormone that miniaturizes follicles

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        Scalp Circulation [Peppermint oil, rosemary oil]

        Increasing blood flow and nutrient delivery to follicles

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        Inflammation Control [Olive oil, avocado oil, jojoba oil, castor oil]

        Calming the chronic follicular inflammation that disrupts growth cycles

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        Protein Protection [Coconut oil]

        Preventing structural degradation of the hair shaft

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        Oxidative Defense [Vitamin E, Batana oil]

        Neutralizing the free radical damage documented in alopecia patients' scalps

        This is the compound argument. A rosemary oil product addresses one or two of these pathways.

        A minoxidil prescription addresses one. Golden Oil was formulated to cover all five simultaneously, not because more ingredients look better on a label, but because the published research pointed to a multi-mechanism problem that required a multi-mechanism response.

        What's Not in the Bottle

        Golden Oil contains nine ingredients. That number is intentional. Every component serves a documented function, nothing is included for texture, fragrance, shelf stability, or label length.

        The formulation contains no parabens, no sulfates, no silicones, no synthetic fragrance, no mineral oil, no alcohol, and no artificial colorants. All eight oils are cold-pressed, the extraction method identified in dermatology research (Vaughn et al., 2018) as preferred because it preserves beneficial lipids without introducing heat- or chemical-generated irritants.

        The bottle itself is crystal glass, not plastic. This eliminates the risk of chemical leaching from plastic containers into oil-based formulations over time, a consideration that becomes relevant with products designed for direct scalp application.

        References

        All studies cited on this page are indexed in PubMed, the biomedical literature database maintained by the U.S. National Library of Medicine at the National Institutes of Health. DOI links connect directly to the original publications.

        1. Panahi Y, Taghizadeh M, Marzony ET, Sahebkar A. Rosemary oil vs minoxidil 2% for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia: a randomized comparative trial. SKINmed. 2015;13(1):15-21. PMID: 25842469

        2. Dhariwala MY, Ravikumar P. An overview of herbal alternatives in androgenetic alopecia. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2019;18(4):966-975. DOI: 10.1111/jocd.12930

        3. Oh JY, Park MA, Kim YC. Peppermint oil promotes hair growth without toxic signs. Toxicological Research. 2014;30(4):297-304. DOI: 10.5487/TR.2014.30.4.297

        4. Rele AS, Mohile RB. Effect of mineral oil, sunflower oil, and coconut oil on prevention of hair damage. Journal of Cosmetic Science. 2003;54(2):175-192. PMID: 12715094

        5. Kaushik V, Kumar A, Gosvami NN, et al. Benefit of coconut-based hair oil via hair porosity quantification. International Journal of Cosmetic Science. 2022;44(3):289-298. DOI: 10.1111/ics.12774

        6. Liu J, Shimizu K, Kondo R. Anti-androgenic activity of fatty acids. Chemistry & Biodiversity. 2009;6(4):503-512. DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.200800125

        7. Gad HA, Roberts A, Hamzi SH, et al. Jojoba oil: an updated comprehensive review on chemistry, pharmaceutical uses, and toxicity. Polymers. 2021;13(11):1711. DOI: 10.3390/polym13111711

        8. Chakrabarty S, Jigdrel K, Mukherjee P, et al. Bioactivities of jojoba oil beyond skincare. Journal of Medicinal Food. 2024;27(7):579-588. DOI: 10.1089/jmf.2023.k.0062

        9. Vaughn AR, Clark AK, Sivamani RK, Shi VY. Natural oils for skin-barrier repair: ancient compounds now backed by modern science. American Journal of Clinical Dermatology. 2018;19(1):103-117. DOI: 10.1007/s40257-017-0301-1

        10. Phong C, Lee V, Yale K, Sung C, Mesinkovska N. Coconut, castor, and argan oil for hair in skin of color patients: a systematic review. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. 2022;21(7):751-757. DOI: 10.36849/JDD.6972

        11. Mysore V, Arghya A. Hair oils: indigenous knowledge revisited. International Journal of Trichology. 2022;14(3):84-90. DOI: 10.4103/ijt.ijt_189_20

        12. Nada AA, Arul MR, Ramos DM, et al. Bioactive polymeric formulations for wound healing. Polymers for Advanced Technologies. 2018;29(6):1815-1825. DOI: 10.1002/pat.4288

        13. Poljšak N, Kreft S, Kočevar Glavač N. Vegetable butters and oils in skin wound healing: scientific evidence for new opportunities in dermatology. Phytotherapy Research. 2019;34(2):254-269. DOI: 10.1002/ptr.6524

        14. de Oliveira AP, Franco ES, Rodrigues Barreto R, et al. Effect of semisolid formulation of Persea americana Mill (avocado) oil on wound healing in rats. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2013;2013:472382. DOI: 10.1155/2013/472382

        15. Akar A, Arca E, Erbil H, et al. Antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation in the scalp of patients with alopecia areata. Journal of Dermatological Science. 2002;29(2):85-90. DOI: 10.1016/s0923-1811(02)00015-4

        16. Abdel Fattah NSA, Ebrahim AA, El Okda ES. Lipid peroxidation/antioxidant activity in patients with alopecia areata. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. 2011;25(4):403-408. DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-3083.2010.03799.x

        17. Ekanayake-Mudiyanselage S, Thiele J. Sebaceous glands as transporters of vitamin E. Der Hautarzt. 2006;57(4):291-296. DOI: 10.1007/s00105-005-1090-7