Urea is a small, highly water-soluble organic compound widely used as a functional cosmetic ingredient in skin-care and personal-care formulations. It is also known as carbamide and is naturally present in the skin as an important component of the natural moisturising factor of the stratum corneum. The INCI name is UREA. Urea has the molecular formula CH₄N₂O, a molecular weight of 60.06 g/mol, and CAS Number 57-13-6.
As a cosmetic ingredient, Urea is primarily valued for its humectant and skin-conditioning properties. Its hygroscopic nature allows it to bind and retain water, making it particularly useful in formulations designed to improve skin hydration and maintain a softer, smoother skin feel. Cosmetic ingredient references also identify Urea for antistatic, buffering and fragrance-functional applications.
Urea is a crystalline organic compound containing one carbonyl group and two amino groups. It is generally supplied as a white or almost white crystalline powder or crystals and is highly soluble in water. Its relatively small molecular size and strong interaction with water make it especially useful in aqueous cosmetic formulations.
The current USP-NF monograph defines Urea as containing 98.0–102.0% Urea (CH₄N₂O). This is a pharmacopeial acceptance criterion and should be distinguished from any specific cosmetic-grade specification established for a particular commercial batch.
Urea is also chemically distinct from derivatives such as Hydroxyethyl Urea, Imidazolidinyl Urea and Diazolidinyl Urea. These materials should not be treated as interchangeable simply because their names contain “urea.”
Urea is best known as a humectant and moisturising ingredient. It attracts and retains water, helping cosmetic formulations support the moisture content of the outer layers of the skin. This makes it particularly relevant to products intended for dry or moisture-deficient skin.
At lower cosmetic concentrations, Urea is commonly incorporated into moisturising formulations. At higher concentrations, its effect on the skin's keratin structure becomes more pronounced, which is why concentrated Urea formulations are used in specialised products for rough, thickened or callused skin. The appropriate concentration depends on the intended cosmetic application and applicable regulatory framework.
Urea may also contribute to skin conditioning and can be incorporated into hair-care products where moisture management and conditioning are desired.
Urea Cosmetic Ingredient can be incorporated into a wide range of personal-care formulations, including moisturising creams, body lotions, hand creams, foot-care products, facial-care products, serums, gels, cleansing preparations and hair-care formulations.
In moisturisers and lotions, Urea can function as a water-binding ingredient that supports a hydrated and comfortable skin feel. It can also be combined with other humectants, emollients, occlusive ingredients and skin-conditioning materials to develop balanced moisturising systems.
Higher-concentration formulations may be developed for specialised applications involving rough or hardened skin. Such products require appropriate formulation evaluation because the sensory and functional characteristics of Urea can change with concentration.
Urea is highly water soluble and can generally be incorporated into the aqueous phase of suitable formulations. The order of addition, temperature, pH and overall composition should be evaluated during formulation development.
Because Urea can participate in chemical reactions under certain conditions, formulators should consider compatibility with other raw materials, particularly in formulations exposed to elevated temperatures or unsuitable pH conditions. The finished product should also undergo appropriate stability and microbiological evaluation.
For commercial procurement, the actual Certificate of Analysis should be used to confirm identity, assay, moisture, impurities and other quality attributes. The USP 98.0–102.0% range should not automatically be copied as the SDP cosmetic-grade specification unless the supplied material is actually controlled to that standard.
As a Urea Cosmetic Ingredient Manufacturer in India, Swapnroop focuses on supplying quality-oriented cosmetic raw materials for skin-care, hair-care and personal-care formulation requirements. Urea is suitable for manufacturers developing moisturising and conditioning products where effective water-binding functionality is required.
For bulk cosmetic ingredient procurement, important quality parameters include identity, assay, moisture, appearance, solubility and impurity control. The applicable specification should be selected according to the intended application, grade and target market.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | White or colourless crystals / white powder |