What Is Urea Good For?

Urea is a component that the human body produces naturally and is very important for some body processes to develop correctly, helping to regulate blood pressure and the proper functioning of the fluid retention system. This substance serves to hydrate the skin and improve its health and appearance. Urea, which is found as an ingredient in creams, is therefore produced synthetically in laboratories in order to improve the effectiveness of these beauty products.

Urea benefits

More and more people are concerned about having healthy, clean and smooth skin, so that the number of people who buy moisturizers with different nutrients is increasing. The skin can be affected by different external factors, so the use of skin cream has become the first alternative to take care of the skin. These are the benefits of urea.

What is urea for on the skin

Thanks to the latest dermatological research, laboratories have begun to achieve better hydration with the use of skin creams. This is due to urea, a substance of natural origin, which serves to provide a large number of benefits to the skin, the largest organ of the human body, improving its hydration and the exfoliation process.

Urea is a substance that is formed in the liver as the result of a metabolic action. The presence of this substance in the skin provides different benefits for both the dermis and epidermis, as well as the outer layers. But today, after 10 years of research, science has finally managed to help natural substances, by obtaining an active molecule that contains the beneficial properties of urea.

Enriched hand creams or gels are not enough to ensure that the skin receives proper care. But thanks to the application of urea, it is possible to give the skin quite beneficial help; especially on the skin and hands, where the epidermis loses a lot of water.

What is urea for in the human body

Urea has been the target of research for a decade, which is why it has been improved in laboratories to become an active molecule that contains multiple properties. Simply put, urea provides deep hydration in different layers of the skin throughout the human body and reduces fluid loss, achieving deep natural hydration. Likewise, this substance also favors the natural desquamation of the epidermis, functioning as a hydrating exfoliation throughout the body.

During the investigations, the scientists were able to verify three fundamental beneficial aspects of urea throughout the body:

• Helps activate the skin’s immune system, improving the production of antimicrobial peptides.
• It promotes the so-called “barrier function” by acting on keratinocytes, which stimulates the synthesis of structural proteins.
• It favors the flexibility of the skin thanks to the fact that it extends past the epidermis and reaches the fibroblasts, managing to stimulate the production of collagen in the skin.

Urea serves as a fertilizer

Nitrogen in urea is in the digestible amide form. Nitrogen in the form of an amide is well absorbed by the leaves and roots of plants. Therefore, urea is often used as a fertilizer. In case of contact with urea in the soil, since amide nitrogen is converted into ammonia and then into the nitrate form. This transition is quite slow, so that the nitrogen uptake by the plants is carried out in a uniform way.

What does urea have?

Urea has become one of the most widely used moisturizers in natural cosmetics, standing up to glycerin, hyaluronic acid and sorbitol. However, as it is an ingredient that has not been used for a long time in moisturizers, it is possible that many people are unaware of its properties. This fine white crystalline substance crystallizes from water in the form of easily soluble plates prisms in alcohol and water, mp 160-190 ° C. When heated to 200 ° C, this compound is converted to ammonium tsianovokisly and exposed to temperatures above atmospheric pressure of urea decompose to form carbon dioxide, ammonia, cyanonic acid, biuret, and other components.

Function of urea as use in skin cosmetics

Urea has a moderate to low hygroscopic capacity. The truth is that it is not a moisturizing active with a great capacity to retain liquids, but it can capture the humidity of the environment and fix it progressively depending on the needs of the skin.

• This action takes place when urea is incorporated in concentrations that are less than 10%.

• It can help control the hydric status of the skin by reducing the loss of transpidermal water.
• When used in higher concentrations it can influence the reduction of the chemical function of the skin barrier and facilitate the entry of chemicals, which can cause an irritating response to the skin.
• Concentrations greater than 10% produce a keratoplastic effect, which increases skin permeability. The increase in concentration affects the cells and promotes desquamation, an effect that increases with concentrations greater than 40%.

Characteristics of urea

Urea has the appearance of a fine crystalline powder in the shape of small balls. Its pH is 7.2 in 5% solution, it has a density of 1.485-1.489 g / ml. It is soluble in water and slightly in alcohol (the lower the degree of alcohol, the greater its solubility) and partially in glycerin.

How to buy creams with urea?

Creams that contain urea always show a certain percentage, which indicates the concentration of the ingredient that has been added in their composition. It is very important to pay attention to this number, since depending on the amount of urea that is applied to the skin, the effects and results that will be achieved will be different:

Urea cream 5-10%: this cream has a low concentration of urea. It is the most suitable for moisturizing creams for daily use, which are designed to help solve the problem of dry skin or lack of hydration (a problem that can be caused by winter cold).

Urea cream 20%: in a higher concentration, the effect of urea is desquamative, which means that it creates a “ peeling ” effect that serves to eliminate dead skin cells. This concentration is recommended for creams used on the most damaged areas of the skin, such as the knees, elbows and heels.

Urea cream 30-40%: when the concentration of this substance is increased, the desquamation effect is increased and it also generates a keratolytic effect. The removal of dead and dry skin becomes more aggressive, which is why these creams tend to be used in situations of thickening of the skin, for example, on the skin of the feet.

Urea cream 50% or higher: creams that have these concentration levels should only be used when recommended by a professional, since they are usually intended for specific treatments. For example, they are used to eliminate nail fungus.

Side effects of urea on the skin

Studies have shown that after three weeks of daily application, the level of hydration of the skin can increase between 14% and 26%, becoming a great ally for the skin. However, it is necessary to use it carefully if you have sensitive skin, since in some cases urea can irritate the skin depending on its concentration. If you have any questions, it is best to consult a professional.

Urea use conclusion

Urea is a great help to keep skin naturally smooth and healthy. The main properties of urea are hydrating and exfoliating, which have been scientifically proven. Likewise, thanks to the fact that it favors the generation of collagen and elastin, the skin also becomes firmer, all this without representing a risk of excessive hydration.