Stocksy
In This Article
Dry skin can be as painful as it is stubborn.
That’s where urea comes into play.
Consider it a one-two punch in your fight against dryness.
Stocksy
Keep reading for everything you should probably know about urea and its role in skincare.
Meet the Experts
What Is Urea?
“Urea is a naturally occurring byproduct of protein metabolism in our livers.
Synthetic urea is manufactured for skin care use, explains Engelman.
This makes it ideal for treatingcalluses,dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema, andkeratosis pilaris.
It also draws moisture into the skin for serious hydration.
Works Well With:Hyaluronic acid, cermaides, niacinamide, lactic acid, and salycilic acid.
Don’t Use With:Urea has no known interactions with other ingredients.
What Is Urea Used for in Skincare?
Thornfeldt explains that urea molecules have a keratolytic effect.
The most commonly used urea creams above 10 percent span somewhere within the urea 20 to urea 40 range.
How Often Should You Apply Urea?
Generally, better to apply urea twice a day.
Do not apply urea to broken skin or cuts.
Hyaluronic acid is classed as a humectant (aka an ingredient that attracts and retains moisture).
It can also lessen the appearance of wrinkles as the moisture plumps and fills in the fine lines.
Dermatol Ther (Heidelb).
2021;11(6):1905-1915.
Laskova S, Bakardzhiev I, Iliev D.Urea in skincare.
Journal of Varna Medical College.
2024;6(1):34-36.
