Gift of Nature: Urea in Skin Care

Urea in skin care is known as a good helper for skin care. It has always been used for skin treatment and the treatment of some skin diseases. It is also often added to skincare products to help moisturize the skin. Let’s explore together.

What is urea?

Urea is a hygroscopic molecule in the epidermis, which is crucial for the sufficient hydration and integrity of the stratum corneum. It is a naturally generated waste in urine and is also present in other parts of the body, including the skin, accounting for 7% of the natural moisturizing factor (NMF) in the skin.

Urea improves skin barrier function by regulating gene expression related to keratinocyte differentiation and antimicrobial peptide production. It also plays an important role in regulating the proliferation of keratinocytes. Due to the protein hydrolysis and antibacterial properties of urea, one of its initial uses in modern medicine was for local treatment of wounds.

At present, urea is widely used in dermatology to improve skin barrier function and is one of the most common moisturizers and keratin softeners. It has significant clinical improvements for many skin diseases characterized by squamous and dry skin, such as seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis. In addition, it can increase skin penetration rate and optimize the efficacy of topical drugs. And the side effects of urea are minimal, so it has a very impressive performance in skin products.

Urea in skin care

Urea is an important component of natural moisturizing factors. The main purpose of NMF is to maintain sufficient hydration of the skin, especially in the outermost stratum corneum. As a component of NMF, urea plays a moisturizing role and helps improve skin barrier function. This can protect the body from external substances.

1.Treatment of Sjogren’s syndrome and related pruritus

Sjogren’s syndrome is a common condition among the elderly, and moisturizers are the main treatment for Sjogren's syndrome and related pruritus. In a related trial conducted in 2021, a moisturizing product containing 10% urea was used on 20 patients with severe to severe Sjogren’s disease. Clinical and dermatoscopic evaluations were conducted on day 0, day 7, and day 14, respectively. By the end of the trial, all participants had significantly improved Sjogren’s disease and related pruritus, with 16 participants responding very well and the remaining 4 responding well.

2.Reduce keratinization

Excessive keratinization is caused by excessive proliferation of keratinocytes, and urea can reduce the cohesion of keratinocytes by breaking hydrogen bonds, thereby promoting the reduction of skin excessive keratinization. Products containing 30% urea have better effects and can be used on elbows, knees, and other areas to reduce the thickness of the stratum corneum and lighten pigments. If used on a large scale, lower concentrations have a better user experience and no obvious side effects. Urea at an appropriate concentration is very mild as a keratin-separating agent and is not as effective as glycolic acid, salicylic acid, or Tretinoin, but it is not irritating.

3.Relieve atopic dermatitis and repair the skin barrier

Atopic dermatitis is a common chronic recurrent inflammatory skin disease that can cause severe itching, dry skin, and eczema. Skin barrier dysfunction is a characteristic of this disease, which promotes the entry of allergens into the skin, making the skin susceptible to irritation. Prolonged inflammation can further damage the barrier function. Therefore, skin barrier function repair is the main means of treating atopic dermatitis.

Multiple international guidelines recommend the use of moisturizers. Moisturizing cream used alone or in combination with medication can improve the severity of atopic dermatitis, and reduce recurrence and onset time. A study published in 1999 showed that 15 subjects with atopic dermatitis who used a moisturizer containing urea twice a day for 20 days showed increased skin hydration, decreased TEWL, and significantly reduced skin sensitivity to SLS. This moisturizer can improve atopic skin barrier function and reduce skin sensitivity to stimuli.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we discussed about urea in skin care. Overall, urea is widely used in dermatology to improve skin barrier function and is one of the most common moisturizers and keratin softeners. It plays an important role in regulating the proliferation of keratinocytes, skin barrier function, and antibacterial defense. Urea-containing formulations can be used to maintain skin health and treat various skin diseases, such as dryness and psoriasis, and improve the penetration of topical drugs into the skin, with broad application prospects.