Not many people know about this, but urea is a common ingredient in skin care products that you may use daily. It has potent skin care benefits that refine the skin texture and make skin appear healthy and younger looking.
Urea is actually the primary organic solid of urine. But don't be turned off. It boosts the process of protein synthesis in the body and supplies essential nitrogen contents. It is a natural moisturizer that is found within the skin. This is why dry skin has very low levels of urea.
Urea contents in the body prove to be very advantageous for the skin as they promote the antibacterial and antiviral properties. In addition, urea also boosts the antimicrobial properties and because of this urea based skin care products require fewer preservatives.
Skin Care Benefits of Urea
Minimized Water Loss
Urea reduces the amount of water that is lost through the skin's epidermis and retains skin moisture for a longer period of time.
Effective Moisturization
Urea has very high water-binding power because of which it helps to keep the skin well-moisturized. It also acts as an effective humectant and attracts moisture to the skin, especially the dry areas. In fact, it is a natural moisturizing factor (NMF) present in the outer layers of the skin. Because of this, it is extremely beneficial for skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis.
Strong Barrier Function
Urea helps to accelerate the process of skin cell and skin regeneration process. This strengthens the barrier function of the skin and keeps it healthy. A strong skin barrier ensures stronger resistance against potential irritants.
Improved Penetration
Because urea acts on the skin's barrier, it helps other ingredients of skin care products to penetrate better within the skin surface
Urea based skin care products are ideal for people with dry skin. This is because it has excellent moisturizing abilities that seek to nourish the most parched skin surfaces. With regular use, the skin become soft and supple and dry patches are diminished. In addition the skin texture improves and it becomes more resilient. Urea is extensively used in a variety of cosmetics and skin care products like moisturizers, shampoos, creams and lotions
Product Suggestions:
Kinerase Cream
This is an excellent anti-aging cream that improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and increases the skin's capacity to retain moisture. In addition to Urea, it also contains Kinetin, a plant based agent that helps the skin retain moisture.
Kinerase Pro+Therapy Ultra Rich Eye Repair Cream
This cream utilizes 2 plant extracts to moisturize and reduce fine line and wrinkles, improves texture and tone and blotchy skin caused by sun damage. This urea based product is a physician strength formula and is great for post procedure treatments as well.
La Roche-Posay Biomedic Purifying Cleanser
This is a mild glycolic cleanser that contains urea as well. It unclogs skin pores to remove make up and other environmental pollutants deep within the skin. The cleanser also helps to improve the skin tone and texture.
Vivite Vibrance Therapy
This skin lightning product contains restorative antioxidants that brightens and evens out the skin tone without the use of hydroquinone while at the same time reducing fine lines and wrinkles. It contains urea to moisturize the skin and is great for hyperpigmentation.
Avoiding Urea
Urea is generally safe and can be used by all the dry skin types. However, it might not be appropriate in some cases:
Oily and Acne Prone skin
Urea based skin care products are rich moisturizing formulations and can make oily skin greasier. This can exacerbate oiliness and promote acne and blemishes on the skin.
Extremely Sensitive skin
People with sensitive skin may experience a stinging sensation while using urea based skin care product and thus are advised against it.
Infected skin
Urea based skin care products should not be used on any type of skin irritations, bleeding or reddened skin.
Young Children
Children below 3 years should not be given urea based skin care products.
Dr. Marilyn Syrett is a certified physician and skin care expert. Her are articles contain effective skin care tips along with product recommendations from popular brands like
Obagi, iS Clinical, NIA 24 and
La Roche-Posay.
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