The present invention relates to a novel method for determining the lipophilicity of a compound of interest comprising a) providing a layer, b) impregnating said layer with a solvent A, c) applying a dissolved compound of interest on the impregnated layer, d) adding a solvent B, e) removing the solvent B after the distribution equilibrium has been reached, and f) determining the quantity of the compound of interest in at least one of the solvent phases.