How does the urea in the formula differ from ordinary moisturising ingredients, and why is it used in scalp care?

Urea belongs to the group of natural moisturising factors (NMF) — substances that are normally present in the skin and help it retain water. It is used in cosmetics precisely because it can attract moisture from the environment and hold it in the upper layers of the skin, making the skin softer and less prone to a feeling of tightness.

Unlike simple film-forming moisturisers (such as silicones), urea does not act only on the surface: it helps the skin bind water better from within. For the scalp this is particularly relevant at times when it dries out because of central heating, frequent use of a hairdryer or clarifying shampoos.

An important nuance: the concentration of urea in cosmetics matters. At low concentrations (usually up to 5%), it works as a gentle moisturiser — this is the format typical of serums and everyday care products. Higher concentrations are used in pharmacy keratolytic products and serve a different purpose.

In this serum, urea is combined with allantoin (soothing action) and niacinamide (support for the skin barrier) — a combination aimed at comprehensive care for a dry, sensitive scalp rather than just surface moisturising.