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

Urea – Benefits, Side Effects & Uses

by ThankMeNow Editors on Sep 10, 2025
Urea is a unique, dual-action ingredient that serves as a core component of the skin's Natural Moisturizing Factor (NMF). Its behavior is dictated by concentration: at low levels (2–10%), it acts as a high-performance humectant, binding water to the skin to relieve "tightness" and dehydration; at higher levels (10–40%), it shifts into a keratolytic mode, chemically softening the proteins (keratin) in the skin to break down stubborn, thick buildup like calluses and "bumpy" texture. Unlike aggressive physical scrubs, Urea provides a more uniform smoothing effect while simultaneously supporting barrier health. It is the "gold standard" for treating chronic dryness, cracked heels, and Keratosis Pilaris (KP), provided it is introduced gradually to avoid stinging on compromised skin.