RELIEF: The compound urea may be helpful since it increases water uptake by the skin and has a mild, useful peeling action on the horny skin layer. In one study, every one of 75 patients benefited ...

Synthetic urea is a common ingredient in skin care products. Manufacturers may include synthetic urea in skin care products to help exfoliate and moisturize the skin. The body naturally makes urea, ...

Urea is a skin-care ingredient that can be found in face creams, lotions, and serums. Urea has two main skin-care benefits: exfoliation and hydration. Ahead, a dermatologist answers common questions ...

Overview: Topical urea is used for a variety of skin conditions, usually involving thick, dry, or itchy skin. It may work by adding moisture, softening the area, or helping your body shed dead skin, ...

This story first appeared on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, in The Strategist Beauty Brief, a weekly newsletter in which our beauty writers share their must-tries, can-skips, and can’t-live-withouts.

If you’ve examined ingredients in your moisturizer, you’ve probably noticed urea listed — then wondered what exactly that is. Because while other similarly hydrating elements have risen in popularity, ...

If you’ve recently looked closely at the label on your moisturizer, you may have seen urea listed in the ingredients list. Urea is included in a variety of cosmetics and skin care products for its ...

Your body creates ammonia when it breaks down protein from foods. Ammonia contains nitrogen, which mixes with other elements in your body, including carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, to form urea. Urea is ...