Urea (Latin: Urea) is not a plant but a chemical compound with the molecular formula CH4N2O. It is a colorless, crystalline powder that is easily soluble in water. Urea is a natural component of the urine of mammals and is used by them to excrete nitrogen. However, in the industry, urea is synthesized artificially.

The production of synthetic urea dates back to 1828 when the German chemist Friedrich Wöhler first synthesized urea from inorganic materials. The modern industrial production of urea is based on the Haber-Bosch process, in which ammonia and carbon dioxide react under high pressure and temperature to form urea. The largest urea producers are located in Asia, North America, and Europe.

Urea is produced on an industrial scale by the aforementioned Haber-Bosch process. Ammonia (NH3) and carbon dioxide (CO2) react in a reactor under high pressure (approximately 150-300 bar) and high temperature (approximately 160-210°C) to form urea. The quality of the urea depends on the purity of the raw materials and the process conditions. After the reaction, the urea is purified by crystallization and drying and is brought into granular or prill form to facilitate transport and storage.

Urea is used in a wide range of industries. Cosmetics is the most important application for our product:

Urea in cosmetics

In the cosmetics industry, urea plays an important role as a moisturiser, keratolytic and skin soothing agent. The following sections describe the uses and benefits of urea in cosmetic products as well as possible side effects and limitations.

• Moisturiser: Urea is an excellent moisturiser for the skin because it is hygroscopic - meaning it attracts water from the environment and binds it to itself. Urea increases the skin's water-binding capacity by binding water in the upper layers of the skin and thus increasing the skin's moisture content. This improves the suppleness, elasticity and general condition of the skin. Urea is often used in creams, lotions and serums for dry, sensitive or mature skin.
• Keratolytic: Urea acts as a keratolytic by promoting the exfoliation of dead skin cells, resulting in a smoother and fresher skin surface. Urea can also improve the penetration of other cosmetic active ingredients into the skin by reducing the skin's barrier function. Because of these properties, urea is used in exfoliating products, anti-ageing creams and acne treatments.
• Skin soothing agent: Urea has anti-inflammatory and anti-itching properties that help to reduce skin irritation and redness. It can also strengthen the skin barrier by promoting the production of ceramides and other lipids that protect the skin from external influences and moisture loss. Because of these benefits, urea is used in products to treat skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis and ichthyosis.
• Safety and side effects: Urea is generally safe and well tolerated, but may cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in some people, especially at higher concentrations. People with sensitive skin should first try products with lower concentrations of urea (1-5%) and discontinue use if intolerance or irritation occurs. Urea concentrations of up to 40% can be used in medical skin care products. In these cases, use should be under medical supervision.

Overall, urea offers a variety of benefits for skin care and is a valuable ingredient in many cosmetic products. However, it is important to choose the right concentration and application to achieve the best possible results.

Other areas of application for urea:

Agriculture: Urea is an important component of fertilisers and provides nitrogen for plant growth.

Chemical industry: Urea is used as a starting material for the production of urea-formaldehyde resins and melamine.

Automotive industry: Urea is used in the exhaust gas purification of diesel vehicles. An aqueous urea solution (AdBlue) is injected into the exhaust system to convert nitrogen oxides into harmless nitrogen and water.

Medicine: Urea is used in medicine as an osmotic diuretic to treat oedema and increased intracranial pressure.

Textile industry: In the textile industry, urea is used as a softener and humectant to improve the elasticity and suppleness of fibres.

Animal feed: Urea can be used as a non-protein nitrogen source in animal feed, especially for ruminants such as cattle and sheep.

When using urea in agriculture, it is important to ensure that the proper amount is applied to minimize environmental pollution from nitrogen leaching into soil and water. Excessive use of urea fertilizer can lead to eutrophication of water bodies and a reduction in water quality. In cosmetic products, urea should only be used in appropriate concentrations to avoid skin irritations or allergic reactions.