Behind the science – Of Eucerin UreaRepair Plus

Eucerin is a leader in innovative and effective care for dry, very dry and extremely dry skin with more than 100 years of expertise in developing products that care for dry skin conditions.

In this article Dr Alexander Filbry, Head of Product Development for Body Care at Eucerin, looks at the causes of dry skin and the science behind Eucerin’s UreaRepair PLUS range. He explains how the unique ingredient combinations in the range work to deliver immediate + 48h dry skin relief.

“Dry skin is a very common condition and often results in visits to dermatologists,” explains Dr Filbry. “Symptoms vary according to the severity of dryness, but skin can be tight and rough and/or prone to itching, scaling, flakiness and redness. In extreme cases, skin is pathologically dry”.

The main reason for skin dryness is an impaired skin barrier function which results from:                                                                                                                         

• A lack of lipids that help to protect skin from moisture loss. 
• A deficit of Urea and Natural Moisturizing Factors (NMF) which bind moisture into the skin.

“In the 1990s, Eucerin skin scientists were the first to discover how to include a Natural Moisturizing Factor in a dermo-cosmetic product”, says Dr Filbry. They created a product which was not only effective in terms of results but also pleasant to use. The Natural Moisturizing Factor (or NMF) they used was Urea and it has gone on to become one of the most respected and widely used ingredients in the treatment of dry skin symptoms.

“People who suffer from dry skin need more than just immediate relief,” explains Dr Filbry. “They need a long-term solution which will prevent symptoms such as roughness, itchiness and flakiness from returning.” Dr Filbry and his team set out to create an effective range of products that would deliver both immediate and long-lasting relief for dry, very dry and extremely dry skin.

“The development process started with Urea,” says Dr Filbry. “As an NMF, Urea helps skin to regulate its moisture content and, being a natural skin compound, it is well-tolerated even by dry and sensitive skin,” he adds. Urea is hydroscopic, which means it is able to bind moisture in to the external layer of skin. But this isn’t its only benefit. “Urea is keratolytic, meaning it breaks down the connections between dead skin cells,” explains Dr Filbry. “Urea is a key ingredient in Eucerin UreaRepair PLUS and, as part of our formulas, it improves natural skin exfoliation and soothes and smooths the surface of dry skin.”

“Our formulas are enriched with additional NMF too,” explains Dr Filbry. These include Amino Acids, inorganic salts and Lactate and they work alongside the Urea to improve skin’s water-binding capacity and increase its moisture content.

Another key active in the range is Ceramide. Ceramides are lipids (fats) found naturally in the hydrolipid film of healthy skin and they work to protect skin’s outermost layers. “Ceramides prevent moisture loss from evaporation, and help to keep out the irritants that cause itching and inflammation,” says Dr Filbry, adding that “Ceramide has been proven to help repair and regenerate skin’s natural barrier, lock in moisture and prevent and treat dryness”.

These ingredients work together in the Eucerin UreaRepair PLUS formulas to repair the skin barrier, reduce moisture loss and bind water into the skin and many of the products deliver immediate + 48h dry skin relief.

Eucerin UreaRepair PLUS offers a comprehensive range of products which includes a cleanser, body lotions and creams (including hand and foot care products) for problem areas of extremely dry skin.

These products are available with different concentrations of the water-binding active Urea – 5% and 10%. Dr Filbry explains that the concentration of Urea needed depends on the dryness of the skin. “Those with dry skin may want to use a body product with 5% Urea whereas very dry skin will benefit from a 10% Urea product.” 

All the 5% and 10% Urea Eucerin UreaRepair PLUS moisturizers are clinically and dermatologically proven to replenish both lipids and moisture, delivering immediate + 48h dry skin relief. They leave skin looking and feeling smooth, soft and supple.

Research on Eucerin UreaRepair PLUS 10% Urea Body Lotion indicates a significant reduction of dry symptoms with daily use.³

Eucerin’s UreaRepair PLUS 5% Urea Hand Cream scored equally well in research with the sample reporting: 

• An immediate and significant decrease in skin dryness and roughness after a single product application.¹
• A significant decrease in skin dryness and roughness even after six hand washings.¹
• 97.2% of patients scored the hand cream as "very good" and "good" in terms of tolerability.²

 
While Eucerin UreaRepair PLUS 10% Urea Foot Cream showed: 

• An immediate and significant increase in moisturization 24 hours after a single application.⁵
• A significant decrease in skin dryness 48 hours after the last treatment.⁵
• 91.5% of patients stated that the general condition of their feet had improved.²
• 100% of patients scored the foot cream as "very good" and "good" in terms of tolerability.²

The cleanser in the range, Eucerin UreaRepair PLUS 5% Urea Body Wash, is soap-free and enriched with Urea and Lactate, so it cleanses skin effectively without stripping its natural protective barrier.

“Research proves the effectiveness of our products,” concludes Dr Filbry. “Clinical and dermatological studies have also shown that UreaRepair PLUS products are suitable for mature skin and for those with Psoriasis, Keratosis Pilaris and Diabetes.”⁴


Clinical grading & Corneometer measurements – Data on file BDF 
In vivo efficacy and tolerability study ¬– Data on file BDF 
Treatment of Xerosis with a topical formulation containing Gluco Glycerol, Natural Moisturizing Factors and Ceramide; Weber et al., JCAD 2012 
Not all products are suitable for all conditions. Please refer to the information on pack. 
Vehicle-controlled treatment of Xerosis with a topical formulation containing Natural Moisturizing Factors and lipids. EADV publication, 2016.