Urea Powder Canada

If your moisturizer sits on top of skin instead of sinking in, urea is what's missing.

Urea is one of the first actives every serious formulator adds to their toolkit — and for good reason. It's a natural component of healthy skin (part of your skin's own Natural Moisturizing Factor), which means it works with your skin's biology, not against it. When skin is dry, rough, or flaky, it's often because urea levels have dropped. Adding it back — in a lotion, cream, or serum — is one of the most effective things you can do.

At low concentrations (2–5%), urea pulls water into the skin and holds it there. At higher concentrations (5–10%+), it starts to gently loosen the bonds between dead skin cells, making it a true dual-action ingredient: humectant and exfoliant in one.

Why formulators love it

• It makes other ingredients work better. Urea increases skin permeability, so actives like Niacinamide, Retinol, or Vitamin C penetrate more effectively when urea is in the formula.

• It's dose-dependent. You control what it does by adjusting the concentration — gentle hydration at 2%, visible exfoliation at 10%, intensive callus softening at 20%+.

• It's easy to work with. Water-soluble, stable across a wide pH range (4–8), and compatible with almost everything in your formula.

• It's affordable and high-impact. A small amount goes a long way — even 5g is enough to formulate several full batches.

What to make with it (beginner-friendly)

• Your first body lotion: Add 5% urea to the water phase of any basic lotion. You'll immediately notice the difference in how the finished product feels on skin — less greasy, more absorbed.

• A foot cream that actually works: Use 10% urea with 5% Glycerin. This combination softens rough, calloused skin faster than almost anything else.

• A hydrating toner or essence: Dissolve 2–3% urea in water with Sodium Hyaluronate (0.1%) for a simple, effective hydrating toner with no emulsification needed.

How to use it in your formula

• Add to the water phase before heating — dissolves easily in warm or room-temperature water.

• Keep processing temperature below 70°C to avoid decomposition.

• Typical use rate: 2–10% for skincare; up to 20% for intensive foot/callus treatments.

• pH stable between 4.0–8.0 — no special pH adjustment needed for most formulas.

Pairs well with

Glycerin · Sodium Hyaluronate · Lactic Acid · Panthenol · Allantoin · Niacinamide · Coco Caprylate/Caprate

Specs

• INCI: Urea

• Appearance: White crystalline powder, odourless

• Solubility: Water-soluble

• Recommended use rate: 2–10% (skincare); up to 40% (foot care)

• pH range: 4.0–8.0

• Shelf life: 24 months when stored in a cool, dry place