The role of urea in skincare products
Dehydration and dry skin lead to cracks, which become pathways for infections and serious dermatological diseases. This creates a need for products that effectively and quickly heal wounds and prevent critical moisture loss.
In this article, we will explore one of the common components in products for the care and treatment of very dry skin - urea.
What is urea?
Urea is found in various cosmetic products and skincare products due to its moisturizing and gentle exfoliating properties.
The urea used in skincare products is synthetically produced in a laboratory, but urea is also naturally present in the outer layer of the skin and is excreted in urine.
Healthy skin typically contains 28 micrograms of urea per square centimeter. Urea crystals are similar to fine salt particles. The synthetic analogue of urea is carbamide.
The role of urea
The outer layer of your skin is called the epidermis, and it can be divided into five sub-layers.
The outer sub-layer, the stratum corneum, prevents unwanted molecules from entering your body and prevents water loss through the skin. Urea that penetrates these layers helps attract and retain moisture. As a result, the skin becomes noticeably moisturized, soft, elastic, and has a healthy appearance.
Properties of urea in skincare products
Urea is used in various skincare products for:
• healing general skin dryness
• treating conditions related to dry or itchy skin.
Urea has several important properties that promote skin regeneration, wound healing, and enhance the protective function of the dermis. This component can also help exfoliate dead skin buildup and may assist in dealing with fungal infections. Additionally, urea has three significant properties:
-
Moisturizes the skin
Urea is primarily known as an effective moisturizer. This means that, due to its hygroscopic properties, it normalizes pH levels and keeps your skin moist by penetrating deep into the dermis, preventing evaporation.
- Exfoliates
Urea also provides a keratolytic effect. This means it breaks down protein in the outer layer of the skin. This action can help reduce the buildup of dead skin and eliminate skin flaking.
The exfoliating effect is strongest in creams containing more than 10 percent urea.
-
Enhances the action of other substances
Urea can facilitate the penetration of certain individual components or medications through the skin. Such products include corticosteroids and antifungal creams.
Urea also enhances the action of oral and topical antifungal agents for treating onychomycosis, which is a fungal infection of the toenails.
When should you use a urea cream?
Urea creams are used to treat various conditions related to dry, rough, or peeling skin.
In particular, this ingredient is commonly used to treat the following conditions:
-
xerosis
-
atopic dermatitis (eczema)
-
ichthyosis
-
contact dermatitis
-
radiation dermatitis
-
fungal nail infections
-
pilar keratosis
-
itchy skin
-
ingrown nails
-
calluses
Are there any side effects or risks?
Urea, as a component, is considered safe and does not cause allergic reactions. Only in some cases can urea cause mild skin irritation and symptoms such as tingling, itching, or burning.
Urea can also enhance the absorption of other ingredients in the product you are using additionally. If you are sensitive to another ingredient, urea may affect its reaction.
Urea-containing products
Urea is a natural important component of the skin's NMF, which moisturizes, enhances the barrier function of the skin, and provides antimicrobial protection. The action of urea depends on its concentration:
-
In Dermolite Uronic cream, urea has a high concentration of 10%.
-
In Dermolite Replenishing cream, urea is present at a concentration of 2%.
These urea-containing products are recommended for use both during the treatment of dermatological diseases and for systematic care of skin prone to excessive dryness.
It is important to consult a doctor before using moisturizing products during the treatment of skin diseases and to choose the concentration of urea that is right for you. Individual selection of products will accelerate effective treatment of problematic skin.
News
All news
With the first warm days, you want to spend more time in the sun. The spring sun rays seem soft and safe, but during this period, the skin is particularly vulnerable after winter. A weakened protective barrier and dryness make it more sensitive to ultraviolet light. Therefore, sun protection in spring is just as important as in summer.
Skincare is more than just aesthetics. It's a daily ritual that reminds us of self-love, of taking time for ourselves, of comfort. That's why quality skincare is a universal gift, suitable for any occasion: a birthday, a professional holiday, an anniversary, or simply as a gesture of attention without a reason.
We have gathered beauty ideas that not only bring pleasant emotions but also deliver real results.
Pigment spots are an unpleasant dermatological problem influenced by various factors, such as the sun, hormonal and age-related changes affecting the production of melanin, leading to hyperpigmentation. How does this acid work in skincare dermocosmetics? Read on in the material.
PSORIASIS IS AN IMMUNOLOGICALLY MEDIATED DISEASE THAT MANIFESTS WITH SYMPTOMS ON THE SKIN AND SOMETIMES IN THE JOINTS.
Psoriasis affects 2% to 3% of the population of Ukraine.
Treatment of psoriasis at the modern stage includes a complex of systemic and topical agents, as well as physiotherapy methods, including the use of water procedures (hydrotherapy), which are prescribed to patients individually depending on the stage of the dermatosis, accompanying somatic diseases, etc.
In the field of manicure and pedicure, the hands of the master are their main tool. They constantly come into contact with aggressive chemicals, nail dust, dyes, and other irritants.
If you have previously used retinoids and AHA acids, you probably know that retinoids work deep within the layers of the skin. In contrast, AHA acids only work on the upper layers of the dermis.
Scalp problems, such as discomfort, itching, and flaking skin, significantly affect a person's emotional state.
pigmentation is a fairly common problem that can appear at any stage of life. It occurs due to uneven distribution of melanin — the pigment responsible for the color of our skin, hair, and eyes.
Historically, it has been the case that a person always strives to maintain youthfulness for longer and to have firm and toned skin, but unfortunately, the loss of skin elasticity is a natural part of the aging process. It affects the condition of the skin, its firmness, and elastin.
Azelaic acid is a natural component that has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and comedolytic properties.
