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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
Madeleine Aggeler

Why urea is the ‘unsexy’ hero of skincare

A woman wrapped in towel after bath applying moisturizer on her arm.
Urea is commonly used to treat skin that is ‘really dry and rough’. Photograph: AJ_Watt/Getty Images

Like every industry, skincare has a few big-name players. A-listers like retinol and hyaluronic acid monopolize attention and media coverage. But what about the unsung heroes – like reliable, hardworking urea?

“It’s a really underrated ingredient,” says Dr Mark Strom, a dermatologist in New York City.

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