Urea is an effective ingredient in cosmetic products
Urea can be found in facial skincare products, body care products, and hair care products. In this article, we will explore the properties of urea and how it can be used to improve skin health and appearance.
What is urea?
Urea is a simple compound made up of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and hydrogen. You may also encounter other names for this substance, such as carbamide, urea, or carbonic acid diamide. It is naturally produced in the body and is the end product of protein metabolism in humans and most mammalian animals. It is produced in the liver and is found in the blood, muscles and other tissues, saliva, lymph, and breast milk. Urea regulates water metabolism in the body and tissue hydration. It is excreted via the kidneys and sweat glands. When kidney function is impaired and tissue proteins break down, the amount of carbamide increases in the blood, and a disease called uremia may develop. During heavy physical work, in diabetes, and when feverish, its amount increases in the urine.
What properties does urea have?
Urea’s moisturizing properties
Urea is a natural moisturizing factor (NMF), i.e., it helps attract and retain water in the skin. Therefore, it can help hydrate and soften dry, rough, or flaky skin, as urea has keratolytic properties, meaning it can help soften and break down rough, flaky, or thickened skin. Learn more about skin hydration here.
Urea’s keratolytic properties
Due to urea’s keratolytic properties, it is an ideal ingredient in cosmetic products intended for rough, flaky skin. By breaking down the bonds between dead skin cells, urea can help soften and remove hard, scaly skin. As a result, it is a useful ingredient in creams and lotions used to treat conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and keratosis.
Urea’s exfoliating properties
At higher concentrations, urea can also help gently exfoliate the skin. Products containing higher concentrations of urea, such as body scrubs or facial exfoliators, help remove dead skin cells and make the skin smoother and healthier. Learn more about skin exfoliation here.
Urea’s anti-aging properties
Urea has been shown to have an anti-aging effect on the skin, as it helps promote collagen production and increase skin elasticity. Collagen is a protein that provides the skin with structure and firmness, and collagen production naturally decreases with age. By stimulating collagen production, urea can help maintain a youthful and radiant appearance.
More information about what collagen is can be found here.
In summary, urea is a versatile and effective cosmetic ingredient with many benefits for the skin. From moisturizing to exfoliating and helping to slow visible signs of aging, urea can help improve skin health and appearance. You can find more about what skin health is in this blog post. When choosing cosmetic products containing urea, it is important to consider your skin type and the specific benefits you are looking for to ensure you use a product that meets your needs. Learn more about different skin types here.
