Frequently Asked Questions
What is urea?
You may not be familiar with urea quite yet, but your skin certainly is. “It’s the natural component of the skin’s moisturizing factor—the group of water-binding molecules in its outermost layer that keeps it soft, hydrated, and flexible,” says Dr. Thosani. Healthy skin contains roughly 7% urea in this layer, but these levels can decline with age, exposure to cold and dry air, and conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.
Although the urea used in skin-care products is made in a lab, it’s chemically identical to the urea naturally found in skin, so applying it topically replenishes what your skin may be lacking. “At lower concentrations, it acts primarily as a humectant that attracts and holds water, while at higher concentrations, it also exfoliates by loosening dead-skin buildup,” she says.
Is urea safe for sensitive skin?
Yes, urea creams and moisturizers are generally safe for sensitive skin, and the ingredient is often better tolerated than the exfoliating acids people might use instead. Unlike glycolic and lactic acids, it doesn’t smooth by lowering the skin’s surface pH. “It smooths by softening rather than by peeling,” says Dr. Thosani, adding that its hydrating and barrier-supporting benefits may make skin less reactive to irritants over time. If your skin is in the middle of a flare, Dr. Thosani recommends calming inflammation first, then introducing urea later for maintenance. Start with a lower concentration and patch-test before applying it widely.
Is urea safe to use during pregnancy?
Yes, topical urea is generally considered safe to use during pregnancy. “Urea is a compound your body already produces and naturally has in the skin,” says Dr. Thosani. “It isn’t hormonal, and the amount absorbed into the bloodstream from a body lotion is considered minimal.” Still, pregnancy recommendations can vary, so check with your OB-GYN if you have any concerns, especially before using a high-concentration formula.
Meet the experts
- Whitney Hovenic, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and co-founder of Spooge based in Reno, Nevada
- Lauren Moy, MD, a double board-certified dermatologist of Moy MD based in Beverly Hills, California
- Maya Thosani, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Modern Dermatology, based in Scottsdale, Arizona
- Jenna Queller, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of DermWorks, based in Boca Raton, Florida
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best urea moisturizers, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from board-certified dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
