Moisturization & Nourishment with the power of Urea
The skin is the largest organ of the human body. 20% of our body water is in the skin. This is why the dehydration of our skin is an important problem!The cold in winter, a hot bath, harsh soaps, but also diseases such as diabetes, kidney failure, hypothyroidism, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis and many more are factors that burden the skin and make its care and regeneration necessary.
We often hear that dermatologists recommend people with very dry skin to use a cream containing urea. But what is this coveted urea? What more does it offer to the skin and when do we use it? It is important to know that urea naturally exists in our body. It is produced during the metabolism of proteins and participates in the mechanism of elimination of excess nitrogen from the body.
In a few words, urea is a strong hygroscopic substance and is a component of the skin that helps in continuous hydration, but also in maintaining its moisture.
When do we need urea?
There are many factors, such as environmental conditions, skin diseases and age, which make the skin very dry. In fact, many times the skin becomes so dehydrated that it peels off. Psoriasis is a typical example of skin peeling, where the use of urea cream is an ideal solution.
Intense dryness of the skin and accumulation of scales can make a person’s daily life difficult. The aesthetic part certainly concerns many, but dryness also causes severe itching.
In these cases, the use of a cream containing urea is often recommended.
How much urea do we need?
In a healthy skin, for which dermocosmetic products are developed, as opposed to medical products, urea can be used in a content of up to 20%. Depending on how severe the problem is, the urea content that the cream should have also changes.
As a rule, the content exceeding 10% in cosmetic products is limited, for example, to fields of application such as the control of calluses and the treatment of cracked heels. In very high concentrations (about 40%) urea has a keratolytic effect and is used as a medicinal product, for example softening and removing nails in conditions such as “athlete’s foot”.
The action of urea
The triple action that urea offers to the stratum corneum of the skin makes it a strong ally for a damaged and very dry skin.
More specifically, it offers:
- Emollient action: It traps moisture in the skin as deeply, better and longer as possible, improving the skin’s ability to attract and retain water.
- Keratolytic effect: It contributes to the removal of dead skin cells and promotes the renewal of keratinocytes.
- Antibacterial action: It acts as a shield on the skin, protecting it from factors that can infect and irritate it further.
With the use of urea, the skin regains its elasticity and is strengthened against irritants that can aggravate the problem and dehydrate or irritate even more a sensitive and fragile skin.
