Urea can be found in urine, skin, and other tissues as a degradation product of proteins. In concentrations below 5%, urea is humectant moisturizing. At concentrations above 10% it is keratolytic, that helps to break away old, flaking, and cracked skin.
Moisturizing
Humectant
Moisturizing (Humectant)
Humectants are moisturizing ingredients that draw moisture to the skin, either from deeper layers or from the environment (when it's humid).
Humectant
Moisturizing (Humectant)
Humectants are moisturizing ingredients that draw moisture to the skin, either from deeper layers or from the environment (when it's humid).
Other functions
Exfoliant,
Exfoliant
Exfoliants remove dead skin cells from the surface of the skin via acid-based chemical reactions (e.g., AHA or BHA).
Exfoliant,
Exfoliant
Exfoliants remove dead skin cells from the surface of the skin via acid-based chemical reactions (e.g., AHA or BHA).
Antistatic,
Antistatic
Antistatic – reduces electric charge buildup.
Antistatic,
Antistatic
Antistatic – reduces electric charge buildup.
pH Adjuster
pH Adjuster
pH adjuster – alters the pH level of a formula.
pH Adjuster
pH Adjuster
pH adjuster – alters the pH level of a formula.
Origin
Synthetic
Synthetic
All kinds of ingredients formulated or produced by a chemical process, or those that have a chemical modification in their structure.
Synthetic
Synthetic
All kinds of ingredients formulated or produced by a chemical process, or those that have a chemical modification in their structure.
Urea, as the name suggests, can be found in urine, skin, and other tissues as a degradation product of proteins.
As one of the components of the Natural Moisturizing Factor (NMF), urea contributes to the preservation of healthy skin hydration levels. It binds and retains water, but is also easily washed away from the skin’s surface.
Urea in skincare has many different uses. In low concentrations (below 5%) it is humectant moisturizing, replenishes the skin’s NMF, and regulates trans-epidermal water loss. At concentrations above 10% it is keratolytic, meaning that it helps to break away old, flaking, and cracked skin (e.g., on the elbows, soles of the feet, or in people with psoriasis).
One last benefit of urea is that it is a penetration enhancer: it makes it easier for other molecules to pass through the skin barrier.
Science
1
Celleno L. (2018). Topical urea in skincare: A review. Dermatologic therapy, 31(6), e12690.
Humectant
