What Urea does
Below about 10% it behaves as a humectant, drawing water into skin as part of the natural moisturising factor.
Above roughly 10% it becomes keratolytic, breaking down hardened keratin — which is why 20–40% products exist for feet, elbows and keratosis pilaris.
Worth using if…
- Very dry, scaly skin
- Keratosis pilaris
- Cracked heels and rough elbows
Safety & watch-outs
- High-strength urea stings on broken or freshly shaved skin.
- Facial use is usually limited to 5–10%.
Urea in pregnancy: Not on standard avoid lists
Not on standard pregnancy avoid lists.
Fungal acne (): does not feed it
Humectant — also mildly antifungal at high strength. The fungal-acne yeast feeds on fatty acids roughly C11–C24 and the esters built from them, so what matters in a finished formula is the whole list, not one ingredient.
Check a whole formula for malassezia triggers →Comedogenic rating: 0/5 · non-comedogenic
Non-comedogenic. Ratings come from the published Fulton scale, which was measured on rabbit ears rather than human faces — treat it as a rough signal, not a verdict on a finished formula.
Check a whole formula for pore cloggers →Common questions
Is urea in skincare from animals?
No — cosmetic urea is synthesised, not extracted.
Informational only, not medical advice. Written from public regulatory and dermatology references (EU Cosmetics Regulation annexes, SCCS opinions, CIR reviews, published Fulton-scale data). Concentration, formula and your own skin all change the outcome — consult a clinician for personal concerns.
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