Water, Mineral Oil, ... UREA??!?!?

[gonzoron]

OK, so I’m at the drug store, choosing a moisturizer. There are two different varieties of one particular brand and so I check the ingredients to see what the difference is. One of them has (among other things) urea.

ok… ew…

So my questions:

1. Why is urea something I’d want in a moisturizer? Is it good for skin and if so, how?
2. Do they get this urea from, shall we say, “natural sources”? or is there a urea synthesizer out there somewhere?
3. Can I get the same effect by peeing on myself?

There we go, an SDMB thread if I ever saw one…

[belladonna]

Urea - The body’s own natural moisturizer ( a mixture of Carbon Dioxide and Ammonium). Urea attracts and retains moisture in the corneum layer - increasing water absorption. It is synthesized naturally in the body, passing through the skin and acting as a true moisturizer along the way. Anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and deodorizing actions allow it to protect the skin’s surface against negative changes and helps maintain healthy skin. Urea also enhances the penetration of other active ingredients and acts as an antimicrobial agent.

From HERE. They don’t say specifically how it’s attained, but my guess would be that it is “created” rather than “collected”.

And apparently, it’s a pretty important ingredient as well. From here:.

There is another class of ingredients, such as urea and lactic acid, which are called “humectants”. Urea, one such ingredient, actually binds water below the surface of the epidermis, right down to the stratus corneum, the skin-building layer. Urea is an effective moisturizing factor and keratolytical (exfoliating) agent.

[belladonna]

Oh, and—
c) I doubt solo-golden showers would do anything except gross out your friends. I don’t know though, maybe your friends are more interesting than mine.

bella

[Smeghead]

Urea has a special place in history - it was the first organic molecule to be synthesized from inorganic sources. So while I can’t say for certain where it came from, it’s very very likely it was made in the lab. Or factory. Whatever.

[easy_e]

Er, Smeghead, you beat me to it! I had written a post mentioning that, but the hamsters ate it and I didn’t feel like trying it again.

[violet9]

Just for the record, urea has been a very useful substance in a variety of applications since ancient times. In Europe, certain manufacturies had barrels outside their establishments to collect “donations” from passers-by. It was used, among other things, in the processing of wool, dying, tanning leather and making gun powder. Very good stuff - icky - but good.

[belladonna]

Let’s not forget that when “fermented” it can be used to kill off all those itchy lice and whatnot that’ve taken up residence in your hair. Plus it’ll give you nice highlights.

[gonzoron]

Wow… thanks folks… live and learn.

Perhaps I will buy the urea version after all.

It’s also nice to know for the next time I build an android, I can put in a realistic urine synthesizer. yay!