Hydroxyethyl Urea Liquid

Hydroxyethyl urea is a low–molecular–weight, highly water–soluble, hygroscopic ingredient that functions as a moisturizer and humectant in cosmetics and personal care products. It is a derivative of urea, singly substituted with 2–ethanol.

Urea is both a humectant and moisturizer that promotes rehydration of the skin and helps to replenish natural urea content of the skin lost with cleansing. While the mechanism of action remains unclear, urea, applied topically, acts as an anti–inflammatory agent on dermatologically compromised skin.

Usage Rate: 1-20%
Solubility: Water
INCI: Hydroxyethyl urea
Final recommended PH: 5-8
ASM: 51
sold by weight

• Moisturization
• Replenish natural skin urea lost to cleansing
• Exfoliation

Use In

• Creams and lotions for dry skin
• Sun and after-sun lotions
• Shampoos and body washes
• Body scrubs
• Cracked heel and elbow moisturizers

Formulation tip:
Some formulations may require the use of a stabilization system, to prevent the formulation from drifting to higher pH during stability testing. Hydroxyethyl urea needs a buffer to help maintain pH and reduce having some degradation change to ammonia. An example of a buffer is lactic acid or Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH or Lye)