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The Science Behind UreaThe more curious among us are always eager to know how a product works at a more scientific level. This page attempts to explain how urea (a key ingredient in SoftCoat) hydrates and keeps skin and nail tissues looking more healthy.
Very interesting scientific data was published* in 2012 by a joint team of researchers from Germany, Spain and the USA. Without getting too technical, this team looked at the effects of urea on parameters such as the skin barrier and the cellular proteins that support proper skin function and health.
Urea - Beyond a Passive Role
One of the more interesting aspects of this research is the fact that urea has effects beyond the mechanical hydrating and barrier functions. Despite showing its effect on reducing tissue water loss (something called transepidermal water loss, TEWL for short - this study showed urea decreased TEWL by 31%), urea demonstrated effects at the equally important cellular and molecular levels.
The effect of Urea on creation of a hydrating skin barrier
Before Urea After Urea * Grether-Beck S. et al. J Invest Dermatol 2012
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The research also showed that topically applied urea has effects on the genes that stimulate the formation of skin proteins such as Filaggrin that are vital to the proper function of skin cells or keratinocytes. Given that nails are formed from the skin cells of the nail matrix, it is expected that the positive effects of urea on skin are also applicable to nails. The effect of Urea on the formation of vital skin and nail proteins
Before Urea After Urea And so, the effects of urea on dry skin and brittle nails seem to be beyond those associated with hydration. Although hydration remains the treatment cornerstone for dry skin and brittle nails*, urea seems to have activity within skin cells, including those that give rise to the formation of nails.
* brittle nails: dry, splitting, cracked, crumbling nails - can also be thickened and discolored |