No, you shouldn't use a 40% urea cream on your face as an all-over moisturizer.
Understanding Urea Cream and its Uses
Urea is a humectant, meaning it draws moisture from the environment to the skin. High concentrations, like 40%, are potent and primarily intended for treating extremely dry, rough, or calloused skin on areas like:
- Elbows
- Knees
- Feet
- Hands
While some sources mention using 40% urea creams on the face, this is generally not recommended due to the potential for irritation. The face's skin is more delicate than the skin on the elbows or feet.
Several sources, including Cleveland Clinic, recommend applying urea with caution to the face or broken skin. Medical News Today highlights that products containing urea are often targeted towards areas with callused or scaling skin, such as hands and feet. A Reddit thread (r/SkincareAddiction) suggests that it can be used, but this contradicts the general consensus of dermatological and medical sources. Amazon listings for 40% urea cream (Amazon, Amazon) typically highlight its use for feet, elbows, and other similarly thick-skinned areas. One article even clarifies that 40% urea cream should not be used as an all-over body or facial moisturizer (Byrdie, GoodRx).
Therefore, while 40% urea might work for some individuals on their faces, the risk of irritation outweighs the potential benefits for most. Lower concentrations of urea are usually preferable for facial skincare.
