Oleic acid is present in crocodile oil at 20% and it has been reported to increase skin permeability through the stratun corneum by increasing the fluidity of the lipid matrix. However, this process is associated with skin irritation. In comparison to the pure fatty acids which may cause skin irritation, the plant extract containing a combination of fatty acids (including oleic acid) accelerated the topical absorption of the NSAID flurbiprofen and it was suggested that a buffer effect is produced by other components in the plant extract the alleviates irritation caused by fatty acids. It is suggested that the reduction in skin irritation could be attributed to the combination fatty acids in the plant material. No reports on the topical use of crocodile oil for medicinal purposes indicated skin irritation.