Urea in skincare: Uses, benefits, risks, and more

What is the difference between hyaluronic acid and urea?

Like urea, hyaluronic acid acts as a humectant, drawing water into the skin. They are both naturally present on healthy skin., However, while urea is the product of proteins breaking down, hyaluronic acid is a glycosaminoglycan polysaccharide. Glycosaminoglycan polysaccharides are molecules made up of different sugars.

Does urea make skin peel?

Urea can act as an exfoliant, so in high concentrations it may make skin peel.

Who should avoid using urea?

Pregnant people and those who are breastfeeding should avoid using products containing urea. Anyone who experiences the following symptoms after using products with urea should stop using them:, skin redness or other color changes, irritation, itching, stinging, burning, A healthcare professional, such as a dermatologist, can offer further advice about which ingredients or types of products to avoid on an individual basis.

Synthetic urea is a common ingredient in skin care products. Manufacturers may include synthetic urea in skin care products to help exfoliate and moisturize the skin.

The body naturally makes urea, but scientists can also make it in a laboratory and refer to it as synthetic urea. A range of skin care and cosmetic products contain this type of urea due to its moisturizing properties.

This article discusses urea, its benefits and uses in skin care, the frequency of use, and potential risks.

The liver makes urea, also known as carbamide, which is a waste product after breaking down proteins in the body.

While urine contains urea, it is also an organic compound naturally present in healthy skin.

Urea can have the following benefits for a person’s skin:

• breaking down the outer layer of skin to promote new cell growth
• moisturizing skin cells
• soothing irritation
• increasing how deeply products penetrate the skin

Urea can also be a useful additive for products designed to counter the effects of aging.

Urea concentration and the benefits

The concentration of urea varies between different products.

According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, the concentration ranges between 3% to 40% and has the following benefits:

• creams with 10% urea concentration help hydrate the skin
• products with 20% to 30% urea can: reduce itching break down keratin decrease the thickness of the outermost layer of skin improve scaly skin conditions such as ichthyosis
• reduce itching
• break down keratin
• decrease the thickness of the outermost layer of skin
• improve scaly skin conditions such as ichthyosis
• products with 40% urea content are proteolytic, meaning they will break down proteins

A person may use a 40% urea product to dissolve or peel dystrophic nails, which are nails that have thickened or become discolored or deformed.

Urea has several different uses in skin care. Manufacturers use synthetic urea in skin care products, including:

• creams
• gels
• lotions
• shampoos

A person may also be able to find hair care products and certain types of makeup that contain urea.

A 2021 review explains that urea is present in creams that treat a wide range of skin and nail conditions, including:

• psoriasis
• ichthyosis
• atopic dermatitis (eczema)
• xerosis, or severely dry skin
• seborrheic dermatitis

Uses for dry skin

A

Additionally, a

Although the authors noted that there was a lack of overall quality, and could not confirm whether urea was a superior moisturizer.

Uses for nail conditions

A

Various antifungal medications can successfully treat this condition. However, the review authors concluded that using topical urea can enhance the effectiveness of oral or topical antifungal treatments due to its function as a penetration enhancer.

Research indicates that urea is a safe additive that most people tolerate well.

Most people who use products containing urea do not experience negative side effects. However, people should not use urea around sensitive areas such as the eyes and lips, as it may cause irritation.

Some people who use products with urea may experience:

• stinging
• itching
• irritation
• burning
• skin redness or other color changes

However, these side effects generally disappear once a person stops using the product. Parents or caregivers should also securely keep any products that contain urea away from children.

Scientists have not fully studied the use of urea in pregnant people. Anyone who is pregnant should avoid urea, as its effects on a developing fetus remain unknown. Likewise, people who are breastfeeding should not use products that contain urea.

If anyone is interested in learning more about how urea may support their skin health or any risks, they should speak with a dermatologist or other medical professional.

Dermatology resources

Visit our dedicated hub for more research-backed information and in-depth resources on dermatology.

Like urea, hyaluronic acid acts as a humectant, drawing water into the skin. They are both naturally present on healthy skin.

However, while urea is the product of proteins breaking down, hyaluronic acid is a glycosaminoglycan polysaccharide. Glycosaminoglycan polysaccharides are molecules made up of different sugars.

Urea can act as an exfoliant, so in high concentrations it may make skin peel.

Pregnant people and those who are breastfeeding should avoid using products containing urea. Anyone who experiences the following symptoms after using products with urea should stop using them:

• skin redness or other color changes
• irritation
• itching
• stinging
• burning

A healthcare professional, such as a dermatologist, can offer further advice about which ingredients or types of products to avoid on an individual basis.

Synthetic urea is an additive that manufacturers use in many skin care products. Products with urea are especially well-known for encouraging skin moisture and enhancing texture.

Other urea-containing products can also help treat skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis. Urea is also a common ingredient for creams and ointments that target the appearance of wrinkles.