Urea
Humectant · INCI: Urea
Reviewed by Elysiana Aguilar, master esthetician
How we read it
Not a pore-clogger. Considered safe for acne-prone skin.
Is Urea comedogenic?
No. Urea isn't considered pore-clogging, and we read it as safe to use on acne-prone skin. That doesn't make it right for everyone, but congestion isn't the thing to watch for with it.
Why we read it this way
Urea is a small water-binding molecule that is already present in skin as part of its natural moisturizing factor. At gentle strengths it hydrates, and in stronger products it softens and loosens rough, thickened skin. It is water-soluble, and we do not flag it.
The nuance
High-strength urea creams are made for heels, elbows and rough body skin, and their bases tend to be heavy. Imidazolidinyl Urea and Diazolidinyl Urea are preservatives, a different kind of ingredient that shares the name.
Where it shows up
Foot and heel creams, hand creams and body lotions for very dry or rough skin. Facial moisturizers and scalp products use it at gentler strengths.
Related ingredients
One ingredient rarely tells the whole story. The acne ingredient checker reads everything in a product at once, and there is more on what comedogenic means. Also in the guides: What acne actually is.