Product Name: Hydroxyethyl Urea

CAS: 2078-71-9

MF: C3H8N2O2

MW: 104.11

EINECS: 640-848-4

Appearance: Colorless to slightly yellow transparent liquid

Hydroxyethyl urea can provide skin care products with moisturizing function without sticky feel, at the same time, it can increase skin elasticity and replenish skin moisture, and it has good compatibility with various skin care raw materials, and is mild and non-irritating. Hydroxyethyl urea also has a high cost performance. Compared with expensive humectants, hydroxyethyl urea can achieve the same effect at a lower formulation cost.

 characteristics:

Hydroxyethyl urea can spread to the stratum corneum of the skin, increase skin hydration, reduce clinical dryness, increase skin elasticity, and have a very moisturizing skin feeling

Hydroxyethyl urea and glycerin in the same active substance content, hydroxyethyl urea has a better moisturizing effect and a more comfortable skin feeling, in skin care products are not sticky, not greasy, there is a very moist comfort

Its non-ionic properties bring extremely wide applicability, even under extreme conditions (6% relative humidity), hydroxyethyl urea can also form a liquid crystal phase with the skin stratum corneum, preventing the transformation of the stratum corneum into a solid crystal phase, so as to achieve the purpose of making the skin soft

Hydroxyethyl urea is a humectant in skincare that helps replenish and maintain skin’s moisture levels. In addition to its powerful hydrating ability, hydroxyethyl urea also helps promote cell turnover.

Hydroxyethyl urea is used to help moisturize and soften skin. It helps increase the water content in the outermost layer of skin by drawing moisture from the environment and helping strengthen the skin’s natural barrier.

Both hydroxyethyl urea and hyaluronic acid are humectants used to enhance skin’s hydration—which you choose is a matter of personal preference. Some may find hyaluronic acid to be more effective in achieving a plumping effect, while others may prefer the lightweight and easily absorbed nature of hydroxyethyl urea.

Hydroxyethyl urea is a low-molecular-weight, highly water-soluble, hygroscopic solid that functions as a moisturizer and humectant in cosmetics and personal care products. It is a derivative of urea, singly substituted with 2-ethanol. It is usually available as an aqueous solution in water.

Hydroxyethyl urea is obtained by reacting ethanolamine with excess urea. Specifically, 2-Hydroxyethyl Urea is made by the transamidation of urea with monoethanolamine. Ammonia and unreacted monoethanolamine are removed from the reaction by sparging with nitrogen. Lactic acid is added to neutralize any ammonia or monoethanolamine remaining in the product. Alternatively, it can also be synthesized via N-carbamoylation of ethanolamine with potassium cyanate.

It is a strong moisturizer and humectant that helps the skin to hold onto water thus making it hydrated and elastic. It has a moisturizing ability similar to that of glycerin and provides a non-sticky and moist feel. It is used at a concentration of 20.6% in leave-on products, and 5% in sprays.

Hydroxyethyl urea is not classified as hazardous according to Australia’s Approved Criteria for Classifying Hazardous Substances. It is not restricted from use in any way under the rules governing cosmetic products in the European Union. The Cosmetics Ingredient Review (CIR) panel concluded it to be safe in cosmetics in the present practices of use and concentration when formulated to be non-irritating.

INCI:Hydroxyethylurea 

quality index: