“Urea is one of those unsung hero ingredients in dermatology,” says Austin, TX dermatologist Hallie McDonald. It’s naturally discovered within the pores and skin’s barrier as a part of the pure moisturizing issue (NMF), however ranges decline with age, says Southlake, TX and Monroe, LA, dermatologist Janine Hopkins, MD. Dr. McDonald notes that this decline is a part of the rationale mature pores and skin tends to really feel drier, rougher and fewer elastic. To assist treatment these modifications, dermatologists advocate including merchandise with urea to your skin-care routine.
Featured consultants Janine Hopkins, MD is a dermatologist primarily based in Southlake, TX and Monroe, LA Dr. Sue Ellen Cox is a board-certified dermatologist in Chapel Hill, NC Hallie McDonald, MD is a board-certified dermatologist in Austin, TX and the co-founder of ERLY What makes urea an ideal ingredient for mature pores and skin?
Mature pores and skin tends to want each hydration and smoothing, says Dr. McDonald, and that’s the place urea is available in. “For aging skin that tends to become drier, thinner and more prone to rough texture, urea works two ways: it’s both a humectant—drawing water into the skin—and a gentle keratolytic, meaning it softens and smooths rough, flaky patches,” explains Dr. Hopkins. “This dual action helps restore suppleness and reduce that crepey texture we often see in mature skin.”
The advantages of urea in skincare
“For women over 50, I recommend daily hydration and gentle exfoliation with a body cream containing urea,” Chapel Hill, NC dermatologist Sue Ellen Cox, MD, beforehand instructed us. “Urea naturally attracts water and softens excess keratin in the outer skin layers, leading to soft, hydrated skin,” she explains.
“At lower concentrations (around two to 10 percent), urea hydrates by attracting and holding water in the skin. At higher concentrations (10 to 20 percent), it helps smooth roughness by loosening the ‘glue’ that binds dead skin cells together,” explains Dr. McDonald. “I often compare it to a good houseguest—it doesn’t just bring extra water to the party, it tidies up while it’s there.”
Dr. Hopkins says urea may help easy positive strains on the face attributable to dryness, whereas in physique care, it has the ability to deal with dry, scaly areas on the physique that don’t reply effectively to typical moisturizers. Urea can also be soothing as it might assist scale back itching and tightness that may accompany dryness with age, says Dr. Hopkins. Moreover, “by breaking down thickened skin, urea also helps other active ingredients—like peptides, retinoids or antioxidants—work more effectively.”
Dr. McDonald agrees including that “For patients already using serums with hydrating or firming ingredients, layering a urea cream on top can help those actives penetrate more effectively while giving the skin an extra drink of water.” Past mature pores and skin, urea-based merchandise are additionally particularly nice for anybody with keratosis pilaris or thick callused areas, she says.
Merchandise with urea to strive
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Each Dr. Hopkins and Dr. McDonald advocate the La Roche-Posay Lipikar line. Dr. Hopkins says this lotion, designed for dry pores and skin, is considered one of her favorites. It accommodates urea, shea butter and allantoin, which assist soften and easy tough and bumpy pores and skin.
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Dr. Hopkins recommends this CeraVe cream that mixes urea, salicylic acid and ceramides to assist easy tough pores and skin.
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Eucerin is a superb go-to model when searching for urea-packed merchandise. Dr. McDonald says this cream on the richer facet is nice for the face. In case you’re searching for a physique product from Eucerin, Dr. Hopkins says Eucerin Roughness Aid Lotion ($13) is a superb choice.
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Dr. McDonald says this lotion from ISDIN is nice for treating flaky, dry pores and skin or keratosis pilaris. It’s nice to have available to advertise more healthy, younger-looking pores and skin.
