Ingredient Encyclopedia

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Discover what’s inside your skincare — from retinol to aloe vera — with clear guides on benefits, uses, and safety.

Ingredient Encyclopedia

Allantoin – Benefits, Side Effects & Uses

by ThankMeNow Editors on Sep 10, 2025
Allantoin ($C_{4}H_{6}N_{4}O_{3}$) is a heterocyclic organic compound derived from urea. It is naturally found in the comfrey plant (Symphytum officinale), though it is synthesized in lab settings for high-purity skincare. In dermatology, it is recognized as a keratolytic—meaning it helps to soften the protein (keratin) that holds skin cells together. This allows the skin to hold onto water more effectively and shed dead surface cells more smoothly without the "peel" of an acid. Additionally, Allantoin is a documented cell proliferant, stimulating the growth of healthy new tissue. Because it is also a powerful anti-irritant that forms complexes with irritating agents, it acts as a "chemical cushion," neutralizing the sting of more aggressive actives.