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There’s urea in my body lotion?

Over the holidays a friend of mine asked me why I recommend creams containing urea for very dry and eczema-prone skin. I was reminded of a post I wrote on the subject for Beauty Bulletin a couple of years ago and thought it wise to repost it here; in case you have ever wondered exactly what urea is and why you may see this ingredient on the packaging of some of your favourite body creams and lotions.

What is urea and why is it in my body cream?

There’s urea in my body lotion?

Most people cringe when they see this ingredient on their body lotion/cream packaging. Not to worry ladies. The urea in your cream is a manufactured chemical. Its chemical name iscarbonyldiamide.

Urea is naturally present in healthy skin cells and it helps to maintain the skin’s moisture level. When your skin is dry, a cream containing urea can increase the water content of the skin whilst preventing water loss – thus your skin will become plumped up and supple. Urea also helps to get rid of dead skin cells. Because of this particular benefit, an urea cream can work like a charm on those very rough areas like your elbows and heels.

Both my daughter and I have eczema, and our dermatologist has recommended that we use body creams containing urea.

In my research for this post, I have found out exactly why it is recommended:

‘Urea has been medically proven in various clinical studies to have extraordinary anti-fungal and anti-microbial properties that promotes fast healing of dry cracked split skin, eczema, psoriasis, rashes, acne, burns and other types of problem skin.’ – www.skinremedies.com

Creams containing urea really does give my extremely dry skin some relief.

My favourite is Epi-max Plus (see my review on this brand HERE) which you can find it Clicks and big pharmacies. Also check out the Eucerin body range. Many of their products contain urea.

If you suffer from dry skin (or dry skin conditions) I suggest that you try an urea cream. It may just turn out to be the solution that you have been looking for.

I really hope that you have found this post informative and useful.

xoxo

Image source: www.thegloss.com

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Epi-max – Dry skin solutions for the whole family

Last Friday I attended an editors’ day hosted by Freebees PR and Marketing and Epi-max was there. I then realised that I have never featured this amazing brand on my blog. I think it’s about time that I tell you how fantastic their products are seeing that we use Epi-max every, single day in our house.

Epi-max is a brand that my family knows very well. Cara developed eczema when she was 6 months old and the pediatrician recommended Epi-max. This brand has been a staple in our home for over 4 years.

Epi-max – Dry skin solutions for the whole family

Epi-max - Dry skin solutions for the whole family

What makes this brand so special? Why is it different to any other aqueous cream? That’s what I asked at first too. The thing is, it’s not an aqueous cream. It is actually an emollient cream which serves as a humectant. This means that the cream locks in moisture and prevents it from evaporation, thus preserving or increasing water content.

Epi-max-brand-review

Epi-max is also hypo-allergenic, perfume-free, dermatologically tested and free from artificial colourants. Plus it’s not tested on animals!

The range consists of light-weight lotions, creams, a hand cream, a foot cream and a bath oil. Epi-max Foot Cream works beautifully on very dry hands by the way.

Epi-max Baby and Junior is gentle enough to use from birth and is great to use on little ones with eczema. This is Cara’s all over body cream. And, honestly, on most days it’s mine as well. Epi-max is also water-soluble which means it can be used as a substitute for soap. This makes it perfect to wash and moisturise delicate skin.

As a beauty blogger I often test various body products, but I always find my way back to this brand. Especially at times when my allergies act up and an eczema flare-up is sure to follow.

I have also used Epi-max Plus when my skin is exceptionally dry. This cream contains urea (which helps to bind water into the skin) and is ideal for very dry and/or thick skin. It should be used with caution in children under the age of 12 or on open skin. Note that urea can sting active eczema. I have felt a stinging sensation whilst using this product when my eczema was badly inflamed, but the feeling subsided quickly. I still continue to use it as the relief Epi-max provides outweighs a little stinging. Please note that I only speak of my personal experience and that eczema should be treated by a professional. 

Epi-max is a brand that I recommend with the utmost confidence. It is a brand that I trust to care for both my child’s skin and my own.

The product range can be purchased at Dis-Chem, Clicks and pharmacies. I always buy ours at Clicks and I often stock up when Clicks has it on a 3-for-2 sale.

xoxo

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