Urea is now a popular ingredient in creams and ointments and is said to help with dry, rough skin in particular. We explain how urea works and why urea is so good for the skin.
Do you suffer from dry and rough skin? Then creams and ointments with urea could be the right thing for your skin care. The ingredient contained in many cosmetics is urea, a breakdown product of metabolism. Urea is a natural component of the skin – it is excreted in sweat and urine and then penetrates into the top layers of the skin, where it binds moisture. It can therefore protect against drying out of the skin or counteract it. In the past, urea was made from horse urine, but today it is produced in a chemical process from the substances carbon dioxide and ammonia.
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Urea: why is urea good for the skin?
Normally, our body’s own proportion of urea protects our skin. However, if the skin’s natural protective layer is damaged, for example by aggressive care products, the skin can become dry or rough. In this case, cosmetic products with urea can stabilize the skin’s moisture balance. The advantage over other moisturizing ingredients is that these usually only help for a short time – they just lie on the skin . In contrast, urea penetrates the skin and stores moisture there. According to experts, the urea should also have an antibacterial effect and be able to protect the natural barrier of the skin. Side effects or allergic reactions are not known so far, which is why urea is also considered to be very skin-friendly.
You should pay attention to this when buying urea cream
Urea is a helpful ingredient that can help with dry skin. However, not all products containing urea are automatically recommended. It is particularly advisable not to use products that also contain harmful fragrances or preservatives. When skin care with urea, it should also be noted that creams and the like should be used regularly and permanently. If the ingredient is discontinued, the skin is quickly as dry as before.
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