Humectants

Urea: Comedogenic Rating & Safety Profile

Also known as: Carbamide

A natural moisturising factor (NMF) component that hydrates at low concentrations and exfoliates at high concentrations.

Comedogenic

0/5

Safe

0 = won't clog pores · 5 = highly pore-clogging

Irritancy

1/5

Low Risk

0 = inert · 5 = often irritating

Function

Humectants

Pregnancy

Generally considered safe

Vegan

Typically yes

Also Known As

Carbamide

Quick verdict

Urea is a humectant with a safe comedogenic profile (0/5) and low risk irritancy (1/5). A natural moisturising factor (NMF) component that hydrates at low concentrations and exfoliates at high concentrations.

What is Urea?

Urea is a small organic compound that occurs naturally in the body and in the skin's natural moisturising factor (NMF). At low concentrations (5–10%) it is a powerful humectant; at high concentrations (20–40%) it becomes a keratolytic that softens thickened, calloused skin. Cosmetic and pharmaceutical urea is synthetically produced for purity. It is one of the most effective ingredients for keratosis pilaris, cracked heels and severely dry skin.

Comedogenic Rating: What 0/5 Means for Your Skin

Urea is rated 0/5 comedogenic.

Benefits for skin

Powerful humectant at 5–10%
Keratolytic at 20–40% — softens calluses
Improves penetration of other actives

Potential side effects & who should avoid it

Urea is well-tolerated. Mild stinging on broken or freshly exfoliated skin is common, especially at high concentrations. Avoid 20–40% formulations on active eczema flares — use lower concentrations during flares.

Best for

Dry
Very dry
Keratosis pilaris
Cracked heels
Mature

Avoid if

Active eczema flares (high concentrations)

How to use Urea safely

5–10% for daily moisturisation; 20–40% for callus softening on hands and feet. Apply to clean skin and seal with an occlusive if used at high concentrations.

Commonly found in

Urea is in moisturisers, body lotions, foot creams, callus softeners and many medical-grade dry-skin treatments.

Found Urea in your skincare?

Paste the full ingredient list into our INCI Analyser to see how this ingredient interacts with everything else in the formula.

Frequently asked questions

Is urea comedogenic?

No — 0/5.

Is urea safe for sensitive skin?

Yes at 5–10%. Higher concentrations can sting on broken skin.

Can I use urea every day?

Yes — daily long-term use is safe and recommended for very dry skin.

What's the difference between low- and high-strength urea?

5–10% is humectant (hydrating); 20–40% is keratolytic (softens calluses).

Other humectants to know

Hyaluronic Acid

A powerhouse humectant that draws moisture from the air into the skin, holding up to 1,000 times its weight in water.

Panthenol

Converts to Vitamin B5 in the skin. A humectant, soothing agent and barrier-repair active in one molecule.

Allantoin

A gentle keratolytic and soothing agent that calms irritation and softens roughness without exfoliating aggressively.

Sodium Hyaluronate

The salt form of hyaluronic acid. Smaller, more stable and faster to penetrate the upper layers of the skin.

Want the full picture on pore-clogging ingredients? Read our complete guide to comedogenic ingredients for the dermatology research behind the 0–5 scale and the full list of high-risk ingredients to avoid.

Sources

Written by ScanSkinAI Cosmetic Science Team · Last updated June 2026

This information is for educational purposes only. Always patch-test new products and consult a dermatologist if you have specific skin concerns.