Hydroxyethyl Urea
AKA “2078-71-9, (2-Hydroxyethyl)urea, Urea, (2-hydroxyethyl)-, Monoethanolurea, Monoethylolurea, N-(hydroxyethyl)-, 1-Ethanolurea, 1320-51-0, hydroxyethylurea”
Humectant
Ingredient Facts
Hydroxyethyl urea
AKA: 2078-71-9, (2-Hydroxyethyl)urea, (2-hydroxyethyl)-, Monoethanolurea, Monoethylolurea, N-(hydroxyethyl)-, 1-Ethanolurea, 1320-51-0, Hydroxyethylurea
Humectant · Humectant · EWG: 1
Synthetic
Humectant
Skin Conditioner
Hair Care
Clean
The Panel concluded that Hydroxyethyl Urea is safe in cosmetics in the present practices of use and concentration described in this safety assessment when formulated to be non-irritating.
Formula
C3H8N2O2
Mol. Weight
104.11
CAS #
1320-51-0
Form
Liquid
See origin →
Functions
Hair Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Humectant
A moisture magnet. Pulls water from the air and deeper skin layers up to the surface to keep skin plump and hydrated.
Skin Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Locks In Moisture
Traditional Use
A synthetic compound developed in the 20th century for use in cosmetics as a humectant and skin-conditioning agent. No traditional use; engineered to improve hydration and texture in modern formulations.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
Dehydration
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
EWG
1
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Concentration Guide
Dermal absorption: 10%. Source: CIR Safety Assessment (CIR Seq 310).
Regulatory Agencies
Safety Assessment of Hydroxyethyl Urea as Used in Cosmetics.
Akinsulie A, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Hill RA, Klaassen CD et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2024
Evaluation of the teratological and dominant lethal potential of N,N-bis-(2-hydroxyethyl)-p-phenylenediamine sulphate in a 6-month feeding study in ra
Burnett CM, Re TA, Loehr RF, Rodriguez SC, Corbett JF
Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association, 1986
Topical urea in skincare: A review.
Leonardo Celleno
Dermatologic therapy, 2018
Topical urea in skincare: A review.
Leonardo Celleno
Dermatologic therapy, 2018
Topical urea in skincare: A review.
Leonardo Celleno
Dermatologic therapy, 2018
Topical urea in skincare: A review.
Celleno L
Dermatologic therapy, 2018
Final Report of the Safety Assessment for Imidazolidinyl Urea
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Diazolidinyl Urea
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Polyoxymethylene Urea
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Urea
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Imidazolidinyl Urea
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Re-evaluation: N,N-Bis(2-Hydroxyethyl)-p-Phenylenediamine Sulfate
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Safety Assessment of Hydroxyethyl Urea As Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Scientific Literature Review: Safety Assessment of Centaurea cyanus Flower-Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Diazolidinyl Urea
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Echinacea Purpurea (echinacea) flower/leaf/stem Extract
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Echinacea Purpurea Extract
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Hydroxyethyl Urea
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Imidazolidinyl Urea
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
N,N-Bis(2-Hydroxyethyl)-p-Phenylenediamine Sulfate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Polyoxymethylene Urea
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Urea
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Influence of excipients on moisturizing effect of urea.
Couteau C, Coiffard LJ, Sébille-Rivain V
Drug development and industrial pharmacy, 2006
Diazolidinyl Urea
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Hydroxyethyl Urea
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Imidazolidinyl Urea
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
N,N-Bis(2-Hydroxyethyl)-p-Phenylenediamine Sulfate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Polyoxymethylene Urea
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Urea
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
1-Butyl-3-(N-crotonoylsulfanilyl) urea
Health Canada
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
Claviceps purpurea Tul., its alkaloids and galenical preparations
Health Canada
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
Digitalis purpurea L., all heterosides of
Health Canada
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
Thiourea and its derivatives
Health Canada
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
Urea
Health Canada
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
Urea (carbamide) peroxide
Health Canada
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
Recombinant scFv-Fc Anti-kallikrein 7 Antibody-Loaded Thermosensitive Hydrogels Against Skin Desquamation Disorders.
Laureano AFS, Vigato AA, Puzer L, de Araujo DR
ACS applied bio materials, 2024
Biorevitalizing effect of a novel facial serum containing apple stem cell extract, pro-collagen lipopeptide, creatine, and urea on skin aging signs.
Sanz MT, Campos C, Milani M, Foyaca M, Lamy A et al.
Journal of cosmetic dermatology, 2016
Safety assessment of diammonium phosphate and urea used in the manufacture of cigarettes.
Stavanja MS, Curtin GM, Ayres PH, Bombick ER, Borgerding MF et al.
Experimental and toxicologic pathology : official journal of the Gesellschaft fur Toxikologische Pathologie, 2008
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR