Objective: To compare the consistency in skin permeation and retention of compound lidocaine cream with control cream.Methods: The concentrations of lidocaine and prilocaine in samples were quantified by HPLC.The in vitro penetration experiments of compound lidocaine cream were performed using Bama miniature pig skin and modified Franz's cell.Results: A good linear relationship was observed between peak area and concentration of lidocaine and prilocaine over a range of 0.3-6.0 μg·mL-1.The recovery and precision of two drugs met method system suitability requirements.The extents of 1 h and 2 h percutaneous absorption of lidocaine through pig skin from test compound cream were 0.113% and 0.519%, and the resp. retention rates in skin were 1.219% and 1.794%.The extents of 1 h and 2 h percutaneous absorption of prilocaine through pig skin from test compound cream were 0.096% and 0.439%, and the resp. retention rates in skin were 0.982% and 1.564%.There were no significant difference (P > 0.05) in 1 h and 2 h percutaneous absorption and retention rate of the two drugs between test and control compound creams.Conclusion: The skin penetration and skin retention of lidocaine and prilocaine from test compound lidocaine cream were consistent with the control Emla® cream.