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Aquadrate cream
Aquadrate cream is a moisturiser that contains urea as an active ingredient. Urea is a substance that is found naturally in the skin, which by its nature is very attracted to water. It is used to help rehydrate dry, scaly skin.
What is Aquadrate used for?
- Chronic dry skin conditions such as eczema
- Inherited, non-inflammatory dryness and scaling of the skin (ichthyosis, xeroderma).
- Overgrowth of the outer layer of skin causes it to become thickened and scaly (hyperkeratosis).
How does Aquadrate work?
Aquadrate cream is a moisturiser that contains urea as an active ingredient. Urea is a substance that is found naturally in the skin, which by its nature is very attracted to water. It is used to help rehydrate dry, scaly skin.
Dry skin results from a lack of water in the outer layer of skin cells known as the stratum corneum. When this layer becomes dehydrated it loses its flexibility and becomes cracked, scaly and sometimes itchy. The stratum corneum contains natural water-holding substances, including urea, which retain water seeping up from the deeper layers of the skin. Water is also normally retained in the stratum corneum by a surface film of natural oil (sebum) and broken-down skin cells, which slow down the evaporation of water from the skin surface.
The skin dries out when too much water evaporates from its surface. This increases as we get older, and is made worse by washing because hot water and soap remove the layer of natural oil on the skin surface.
When urea is applied to the skin it penetrates the stratum corneum, where it readily absorbs and retains water. This increases the capacity of the skin to hold moisture, and the skin, therefore, becomes rehydrated. The moisturising base that the urea is mixed in also provides a layer of oil on the surface of the skin, which helps prevent water from evaporating from the skin surface. Both actions soothe and soften the skin, and reduce the scaling and itching of dry skin conditions such as eczema and ichthyosis.
Moisturisers are helpful for all dry skin conditions, particularly eczema and dermatitis, which get worse when the skin is allowed to dry out. Used regularly they help restore the skin's smoothness, softness and flexibility by helping the skin retain moisture.
Read our skin guide on 8 of the Best Products to Treat Keratosis Pilaris.
