4 Benefits Of Urea For Skin, How To Use It, And Side Effects

If you have dry skin that is rough and scaly to touch, you must treat it immediately. Dry skin is more susceptible to developing fissures and cracks. The cracks can get infected with harmful microorganisms if not treated immediately. You can use urea for skin hydration and moisturization as it effectively improves dry skin and associated symptoms. In this article, we have discussed the effectiveness of urea for dry skin. Read on.

Know Your Ingredient: Urea

What Is It?
It is a colorless compound that helps break down protein in our bodies.

What Are Its Benefits?
It acts as a powerful humectant, improves the skin barrier, provides pain relief, and is a good skin exfoliant.

Who Can Use It?
It can be used by all except allergic individuals and helps treat many skin conditions like psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, etc.

How Often?
If you have any skin issues, use it 1-3 times a day for a week. If you use it as a moisturizer, you can use it 3-4 times a week.

Caution
Avoid using it if you experience severe itching, redness, burning or stinging sensation, or peeling skin.

Urea: What To Know

Urea is also known as carbamide. It is a colorless organic compound that helps in the breakdown of nitrogenous chemicals in the body. It has gained significant recognition in dermatology, beauty, and cosmetic chemistry for its wonderful benefits for skin health. It is the main nitrogen-containing compound present in mammal urine. It is also found in human sweat. Urea is water-soluble and easy to produce.

The German chemist Friedrich Wohler synthesized urea in 1828 and originated a way of manufacturing it without mammalian urine. It is now produced commercially by dehydrating ammonium carbamate at elevated temperatures and pressures.

Urea has several uses. It is commonly used to manufacture plant and crop fertilizers and is also an ingredient in different resins and plastics. It is also becoming popular as an ingredient in cosmetics and skin care products.
In the next section, we understand how urea benefits your skin. Keep reading.

If you are wondering what types of urea are used in skin care products, scroll down to the next section!

Types of Urea

Urea, a naturally occurring substance in the skin, is used in skin care products for its hydrating and exfoliating properties. The various types of urea that are used include:

• Synthetic Urea: Commonly used in skin care products for its moisturizing and exfoliating properties.
• Plant-Based Urea: Utilized in some skin care products as an alternative to synthetic versions.
• Hydroxyethyl Urea: May act as a humectant to enhance the skin’s moisture-retaining capacity and improve overall hydration.
• Imidazolidinyl Urea: Used as an antimicrobial preservative in some skin care products (1).
• Diazolidinyl Urea: Used as a preservative in skin care formulations to increase the safety of the product.

In the next section, we talk about how urea benefits your skin. Keep reading.

How Does Urea Benefit Your Skin?

Urea is definitely not the first ingredient that comes to mind when we discuss skin care. However, this compound can offer major benefits to your skin. Here are a few:

1. Acts As A Humectant

Hydration is the key to soft, smooth, and healthy skin. Urea is known for being a powerful humectant that attracts moisture from the environment and seals it in the skin. It may reduce trans-epidermal water lossⁱ  Water loss from inside the body through the skin layers to the atmosphere outside caused by skin disorders or excessive washing or exfoliation. in dermatitisⁱ  A broad term used to describe a typical skin disorder, which has numerous causes and involves dry, itchy skin or a rash. patients (2). Regular application of a product with urea can improve your skin’s water retention ability and fix dry patches and ashy skin issues.

2. May Improve Skin Barrier Function

Better skin barrier function means your skin is better protected from external harm. Formulations containing 5% urea were found to significantly improve skin barrier function (3).

Topical application of the ingredient is believed to accelerate the process of skin renewal. This, in turn, may help maintain your skin barrier and protect your skin from external environmental elements. However, more research is warranted to further understand this benefit of urea.

3. May Provide Pain Relief

Urea may have anesthetic properties. Anecdotal evidence suggests urea can be used for pain relief in skin inflammation and painful flare-ups. Some studies also show that it can be combined with anti-inflammatory treatments to aid in the management of several skin conditions (4).

4. Works As An Excellent Exfoliant

Urea has keratolytic properties, wherein it helps remove the excess skin produced by the epidermis (4). It is mandatory to regularly remove the dead skin cells from the skin surface. Urea works great as an exfoliant and may soften dry, rough skin.

Quick Tip

According to the US FDA, at least 239 formulations under categories like medicines and cosmetic products consist of urea as a key component (5).

Urea has a lot to offer your skin. But before you incorporate a urea lotion or cream into your daily regimen, it is important to know how to use it the right way.

How To Use Urea For Your Skin

Urea is a versatile skin care ingredient. You can easily find moisturizers, body lotions, and hand and feet creams containing urea. The right way of use depends on the area of application.

•  How To Use Urea Cream On Your Face 

1.  Wash your face with cool or lukewarm water and a gentle face wash designed for your skin type. Pat dry.
2.  Dab a non-alcoholic toner all over your face.
3.  Take a small amount of the urea cream on your fingertips and dot your cheeks, chin, and forehead with it.
4.  Massage in the cream with your fingertips, using small circular motions.

For your face, ensure you choose a cream with a low concentration of urea.

• How To Use Urea Body Lotion

1.  Take bath with cool or lukewarm water. Avoid water that is too hot as it may strip off skin moisture.
2.  Towel dry yourself.
3.  Take an adequate amount of the urea body lotion in your palms.
4.  Massage your neck, shoulders, arms, and legs with your palms to evenly spread the lotion.
5.   Apply some extra lotion to the areas that feel drier than the rest of the body. Often, the elbows and the knees require some extra care.
6.  Let the lotion dry for a few seconds.

Follow these tips for dry skin to alleviate discomfort and achieve a well-hydrated and balanced complexion. Choose a lotion with a low to medium concentration of urea, depending upon your skin type.

•  How To Use Urea Hand And Feet Cream

1. Mix half a cup of Epsom salt with half a bucket of warm water.
2.  Soak your feet for 20 minutes to soften the calluses.
3.  Rinse with fresh warm water and pat dry.
4.  Scoop out some urea foot cream with your fingers and massage your feet. Ensure you apply a little extra cream on the heels, especially so if they are cracked.
5.  Let the cream dry for a few seconds. Wear soft cotton socks.
6.  Wash your hands thoroughly with warm water. Pat dry.
7.  Take some urea cream on your palms and apply all over your hands and fingers.
8.  Wear cotton gloves once the cream dries.

The skin on your hands and feet is thicker than that on your face or body. As such, you should use a cream with a higher concentration of urea to heal dry and calloused hands and feet.

Quick Tip

Low concentrations of 2%-10% and medium and high concentrations of 10%-30% and 30%-50% urea are used in multiple skincare formulations (6).

Urea works simultaneously as an exfoliant, humectant, and moisturizer. But is it safe for everyone? Or does it have any side effects?

What Are The Side Effects Of Using Urea On Your Skin?

While urea has numerous skin benefits, it also may cause certain side effects. Discontinue using the product if you experience any of these effects:

•  Severe itching
•  Redness
•  Burning
•  Stinging
•  Peeling skin

Remember that skin care products containing urea are meant only for topical use. Immediately visit a doctor in case of accidental ingestion.

Keep the following precautions in mind to ensure a safe experience.

Precautions To Take While Using Urea

Urea can be a boon for those with extreme skin dryness and itchy skin. However, remember that urea is a very strong ingredient. Do follow these precautions while using urea in skin care for a safer experience.

•  You should not use skin care products with urea on or near open wounds or burns.
•  Avoid using the ingredient if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
•  Avoid using urea if you have sensitive skin.
•  Don’t apply urea creams on your rectum or vagina.
•  Avoid getting it into your eyes, nose, or mouth.
•  Once you apply a urea product to your skin, stay away from water for at least a few hours.

With the uses, benefits, and possible side effects of urea in mind, how often can you use it?

How Often Can You Use Urea On Your Skin?

Many factors determine how often you can use urea on your skin. If you have a serious skin issue and have been prescribed a urea cream by a doctor, follow their instructions regarding the frequency of application. Generally, you can use the cream 1 to 3 times a day at least for a week to heal a severe skin issue. Discontinue immediately if you experience any negative side effects.

Start using a urea cream or lotion for moisturizing purposes 3 to 4 times a week, and increase the frequency with time. Most skin products with low concentrations of urea (5-10%) are gentle enough for daily hydration. Urea products with higher concentrations of about 20-40% are more potent, offering hydration as well as mild exfoliation. They are not ideal for everyday use and are often used as targeted treatments. Hence, it is best to use them only under guidance, especially for people with sensitive or compromised skin.

Role Of Urea And Its Effects On The Skin

Urea is widely used in moisturizers and ointments in various concentrations to address different skin care issues. Low concentrations of urea can keep your skin hydrated and soft, while high concentrations of urea are suitable for managing skin conditions. Check the infographic below to learn more.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

In A Nutshell

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the pH of urea?

The pH of urea ranges from 4 to 8.

Is urea good for wrinkles?

Yes, urea may increase dermal density and skin elasticity, which may result in firmer skin (7).

Is urea good for eczema?

Yes, urea has emollient propertiesⁱ  Properties that help calm, soften, and boost skin moisture and prevent dry, rough, scaly, or itchy skin. that may help manage eczema (8).

Does urea help with hyperpigmentation?

Yes, using urea cream may reduce hyperpigmentationⁱ  A condition where the skin produces excess melanin, causing skin patches that become darker than the surrounding area. (9).

Learn how to make an exfoliating urea and aloe vera gel scrub at home. Watch this video for an easy to follow recipe that will get your skin glowin in no time!

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Dr. Manasi ShirolikarMBBS, DDVL

     

Dr. Manasi Shirolikar is a consultant dermatologist with over 4 years of experience, practicing in India. Her love for skin care and tryst with childhood and teen acne drive her to help her patients achieve healthier skin in a relatable and easier manner.

Read full bio of Dr. Manasi Shirolikar

Arshiya SyedaCo-Editor-in-Chief

 

Arshiya Syeda is the Co-Editor-in-Chief of StyleCraze with 8 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer who combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care.

Read full bio of Arshiya Syeda

Ramona SinhaEditor

Ramona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal, and did her post-graduation from the University of Kalyani, West Bengal.

Read full bio of Ramona Sinha

Swathi ESenior Beauty & Lifestyle Writer

Swathi has a postgraduate degree in English literature from The English And Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and over three years of experience in writing on beauty, health, and lifestyle. She also has a diploma in English journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Kottayam, and is a certified skincare coach.

Read full bio of Swathi E