Urea

What Urea is & what it does

A natural moisturizing factor that hydrates at low levels and gently loosens dead surface cells at higher levels, smoothing rough skin. It improves softness and the skin's ability to hold water.

What is Urea and what does it do in sunscreen?

Urea is a humectant and a natural moisturizing factor, meaning it is one of the substances skin uses to stay hydrated. At low levels it draws in and holds water to keep skin soft and supple, and at higher levels it also gently loosens dead surface cells to smooth rough patches. In a sunscreen it boosts hydration and improves how comfortable the formula feels.

Is Urea safe?

Yes, it is well established and widely used in skincare. It is identical in concept to a component the skin makes itself, so it is highly compatible and gentle at the levels used in moisturizers and sunscreens. Very high concentrations are used for specialized smoothing products, but in everyday formulas it is mild and well tolerated.

Does Urea clog pores?

No. It is not flagged as comedogenic in our data, and it is a water-loving humectant rather than an oil or wax. At higher levels it actually helps shed dead surface cells, which is the opposite of building up in pores. It is a low-risk ingredient for acne-prone skin.

Is the Urea in sunscreen from urine?

No. The urea used in cosmetics is synthetically made in a lab to be pure and consistent, not extracted from any animal source. It shares its name and chemistry with the natural compound, but the cosmetic-grade version is a clean, standardized ingredient. This also makes it suitable for vegan formulas.

What does Urea do for dry skin?

Urea helps dry skin in two ways. As a humectant it pulls in and holds water, so skin feels more hydrated and less tight, and at higher levels it softens and loosens flaky dead cells to smooth rough, dry areas. This makes it a popular choice in moisturizing and hydrating sunscreens.

Sunscreens with Urea

We rate 131 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

• Basiclab Lekki Krem Ochronny SPF50+ Prewencja I Antyoksydacja 95/100
• Skinome Sun Emulsion Body SPF 50+ 94/100
• Skinome Sun Emulsion SPF 50+ 93/100
• Etos Natural Moisturizing Factors + Ha SPF 30 93/100
• Facerinna Niacinamide Brightening Serum Sunscreen SPF 50 Pa++++ 89/100
• Heliocare 360 Age Active Fluid Spf 50 88/100
• the NewLab. UV Defence Sun Drops SPF 50 88/100
• Skintific Aqua Light Daily Sunscreen SPF 35 Pa+++ 87/100
• Heliocare 360 Pigment Solution Fluid Spf 50 87/100
• Azio Beauty Age Defy Tinted SPF Perfector 87/100

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