Regarding skincare ingredients, topical products containing urea and niacinamide have gained a good reputation due to their potential roles and advantages. Urea and niacinamide are natural products with many advantages, including maintaining skin health and moisture. This blog will enable you to learn more about the topical formulation of niacinamide and urea and healthy skin science.
Science Behind Healthy Skin
There are two big layers of skin, the top layer being the epidermis, or the layer we can see, and the dermis, which is a layer underneath the epidermis, filled with collagen and elastin. The layer below the dermis is a fat cushion of fat cells.
Healthy skin is a complex system used to defend the body against external enemies, body thermoregulation, and manufacture of Vitamin D. A Combination of ingredients is the best mix, e.g., hydration level, good microbiome, and barrier. Diet, lifestyle, and genetics also influence skin health.
Healthful skin is a multi-faceted system that protects itself against exterior hazards, maintains the body temperature, and produces vitamin D. It is maintained by the delicate balance of a set of associations, including drinking adequate water, a happy microbiome, and a working skin barrier. The skin's health also depends on diet, lifestyle, and genetics.
Skin Urea and Its Uses
Urea is a compound naturally occurring in the skin, which is critical in ensuring the skin's water content is balanced. It is a humectant; it attracts and retains water, makes the skin humid, and does not dry it. Urea also exfoliates; it smooths the dead cells and achieves a brighter and smoother complexion.
Various skin benefits are attributed to urea, hence its application as a skin care compound. Among the greatest advantages are the following:
- Deep Hydration: Urea is fairly proficient in Moisturization of the skin since it draws water from the surroundings and soaks it into the skin cells. This enables moisturising dryness and enhances the entire skin texture.
- Exfoliation: Urea is a soft exfoliating agent that removes dead skin and renews cell turnover. A smooth, brighter skin texture can be achieved using urea-based products.
- Barrier Repair: Urea enhances the skin's natural barrier process, facilitating healthy skin. Urea can seal the skin barrier, shielding it against extrinsic irritants and preventing moisture loss.
- Skin Conditions: Urea is found to assist in solving several skin issues, including eczema, psoriasis, and keratosis pilaris. It might help reduce itches, inflammation, and scaling, the conditions these diseases are associated with.
Skin Niacinamide and Its Uses
Niacinamide, which is a derivative of vitamin B-3, and it is used to moisturize the skin, as well as protect cells on it. The only issue is that the human body cannot store this vitamin in the skin or blood cells because it is water-soluble. It cannot be taken orally, so the supplement can only be applied topically.
- Niacinamide also allows the skin to build up protein and lock moisture, thereby avoiding damage.
- Further studies are needed to understand the potential benefits.
Skin elasticity: Niacinamide is also used to enhance the space between keratin molecules. Keratin is a protein that keeps your skin healthy and sound.
Skin barrier: This was supported by some studies that show that niacinamide can benefit the ceramide (lipid) skin barrier. The barrier can help the skin stay wet.
Decreases redness or discoloration: Niacinamide can also decrease redness or discoloration as the ingredient can decrease inflammation. This can be applied in the treatment of inflammatory conditions of the skin, such as:
- Psoriasis
- Atopic dermatitis
- Contact dermatitis
Oil regulation: Niacinamide can regulate the amount of oil the sebaceous glands produce. This can be helpful to people with oily skin, yet more research is needed.
Regenerates the skin cells: Niacinamide would be capable of healthy repair of new skin cells due to ultraviolet damage. However, you are advised to take care of your skin even when moving, i.e., apply sunscreen and cover some of your skin where possible.
Skin appearance: Niacinamide may be helpful in pigmentation and hyperpigmentation of the skin. It is also able to reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
Guardian against oxidative stress: Niacinamide is helpful in the development of skin cells, and it protects the skin against external assaults discharged by the environment, through sunlight, pollution, and toxicants.
Treats acne: Your body can use niacinamide to decrease acne, Trusted Source. Still, it is necessary to conduct studies on this possibility. More suitable acne products can be used.
Frequently Asked Questions on The Topical Formulation of Urea and Niacinamide for Healthy Skin
Question 1. Is Urea applicable on the face?
Answer - Yes, it could be used on the face. It isn't easy to even put urea on our face, but the thing is that it is very beneficial to our face. Urea can be found even in our skin. However, in case you are attempting any product in which urea is used as an ingredient, and fear the use of it, the following methods can help you determine whether it may be beneficial to your skin or not:
- Before dabbing on a large amount of skin, do a patch test.
- Test the concentration.
- Always start in moderation, not as an excess.
Apply sunscreen in addition to products that contain urea-based formulation because the latter might augment the skin's sensitivity to the sun.
Question 2. What is the advantage of the tropical formulation of urea and niacinamide?
Answer - Topical formulations containing urea and niacinamide are good for healthy skin since they are moisturizing, exfoliating, and anti-inflammatory. In modest concentration, especially 2-10% urea, it helps hydrate the skin and improve the barrier mechanism. With niacinamide or vitamin B3, you can regulate the level of sebum, inflammation decreases, and the skin condition is improved.
Question 3. What is the best way to use urea and niacinamide in a skincare routine?
Answer - To incorporate urea and niacinamide into your skincare routine, apply them to clean, damp skin. Apply a urea cream or lotion on dry areas and follow up with a niacinamide serum and moisturizer. When adding new products, always do it gradually and note the pain. Urea is a moisturizer and an exfoliator, and can be added to creams or lotions, particularly when it is a case of dry or rough skin. Niacinamide is anti-redness, anti-inflammation, and oil. Applied to a serum or a lotion, but could be applied in the morning, evening, and night, to cleanse.
