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be sonatural, Face masks, read from the back

Hydroxyethyl Urea

Well toleratedHumectanthumectantskin conditioning

No meaningful concern for most people; irritation is possible but rare.

What it is

Hydroxyethyl urea is urea with an added hydroxyethyl group, a change that keeps the water-binding ability while removing the keratolytic activity and the tendency to sting. It is supplied as a water solution and used purely as a moisturiser, most often in leave-on products for dry or sensitive skin.

What it does well

  • Hydrates like urea but is much gentler

    It delivers urea-style humectancy without the exfoliating action, so it does not sting on compromised skin the way plain urea can. This makes it a sensible option for reactive or eczema-prone skin.

    Moderate evidence

Worth knowing

  • No meaningful safety concerns identified

    It is not a recognised sensitiser and carries no EU restriction. Reported reactions are rare.

    Matters most toNo specific group.

Where the EU stands

No specific restriction

Permitted in EU cosmetics with no concentration limit. It is not listed in the banned, restricted or preservative annexes of the Cosmetics Regulation.

Masks that contain Hydroxyethyl Urea