HYDROXYETHYL UREA
Hydroxyethyl urea is a small organic substance listed on cosmetic labels as HYDROXYETHYL UREA. It belongs to the urea family, but it is not plain urea: its structure has a hydroxyethyl group attached to urea, which is what makes this a distinct ingredient.
HYDROXYETHYL UREA: what it is
Hydroxyethyl urea is a small organic substance listed on cosmetic labels as HYDROXYETHYL UREA. It belongs to the urea family, but it is not plain urea: its structure has a hydroxyethyl group attached to urea, which is what makes this a distinct ingredient.
It is not a botanical extract, an oil, or a blend of actives. It is a single compound, also called 2-hydroxyethylurea. That distinction matters because similar-looking names can refer to different ingredients and do not establish the same origin or behavior in a product.
HYDROXYETHYL UREA: what it does in cosmetics
In cosmetics, hydroxyethyl urea is used as a humectant and as a skin- and hair-conditioning ingredient. As a humectant, it helps retain water in the product and can support a less dry feel after application; for hair, conditioning is intended to support a softer feel and easier handling.
That practical role is not a treatment claim for acne, dark spots, wounds, or skin disease. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review safety assessment describes these three cosmetic functions and evaluated the ingredient in cosmetics; its presence alone does not predict a clinical result from every finished product.
HYDROXYETHYL UREA: conditions and care
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review concluded safety in the assessed uses when the cosmetic is formulated to be non-irritating.
Products containing this ingredient
See which products include it and the name used in each composition.
