Hydroxyethyl Urea CAS 2078-71-9

Hydroxyethyl Urea (HEU) is a highly effective, low-irritation humectant widely used in skin-care and hair-care formulations. It combines strong moisturizing power with a light, non-sticky skin feel and excellent compatibility with common cosmetic ingredients. Supplied in cosmetic/industrial grade with stable quality, it is suitable for bulk use by cosmetic manufacturers, OEM/ODM formulators and personal care brands.

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Physicochemical Properties

(Values are typical reference data; actual specifications can be adjusted according to customer requirements and internal QC standards.)

Product Description

Hydroxyethyl Urea is a urea-based humectant designed to deliver high moisture retention with an elegant, non-tacky after-feel. Compared with classic humectants such as glycerin, it offers similar or better hydration while reducing stickiness and improving spreadability.

Its low molecular weight allows it to penetrate into the stratum corneum, increase water content, smooth fine lines caused by dryness and enhance skin softness and elasticity. It is compatible with a wide pH range and works well together with glycerin, propylene glycol, hyaluronic acid, betaine and most emulsifiers and surfactants used in modern personal-care formulations.

Thanks to its excellent water solubility and formulation stability, Hydroxyethyl Urea is suitable for both cold-process and hot-process systems, including clear gels, emulsions and surfactant-based products.

Applications

1. Skin-Care Products

• Face and body lotions & creams
  Enhances long-lasting moisturization, improves skin smoothness and reduces the appearance of dry fine lines.
• Hydrating serums and gel creams
  Provides high water binding capacity in light-texture formulas without greasiness; compatible with hyaluronic acid complexes.
• Hand and foot creams / barrier creams
  Helps repair dry, rough skin and supports barrier care when combined with occlusives and lipids.
• After-sun and soothing products
  Supports re-hydration and comfort after UV exposure or irritation from environmental stress.

2. Hair-Care Products

• Shampoos and conditioners
  Acts as a humectant and conditioning aid; improves hair feel, combability and moisture balance.
• Leave-in treatments & masks
  Supports frizz control and softness by improving moisture retention in the hair shaft.

3. Bath & Cleansing Products

• Shower gels, liquid soaps and syndet bars
  Compensates for the drying effect of surfactants and helps maintain a comfortable skin feel after rinsing.

4. Other Industrial / Technical Uses

• Intermediate or functional additive in certain chemical formulations where a water-soluble urea derivative and humectant/hydrotrope is required.

Storage Conditions

• Recommended storage temperature:
  • Solid grade: store at room temperature in a cool, dry and well-ventilated area, ideally below ~25 °C.
  • Aqueous solution grade: store in tightly closed drums at 5–30 °C; protect from freezing and excessive heat.
• Packaging integrity:
  • Keep container tightly sealed to prevent moisture uptake and caking.
  • Reseal opened containers promptly and use up as soon as possible.
• Environmental conditions:
  • Store away from strong oxidizing agents and strong acids or bases.
  • Avoid direct sunlight and high humidity.
• Shelf life (typical):
  • 12–24 months in original, unopened packaging under recommended conditions. (Exact shelf life is defined on COA / internal spec.)

Safety Precautions

Hydroxyethyl Urea is generally considered low in toxicity and is assessed as safe for use in cosmetic products when properly formulated to be non-irritating.
However, it should still be handled as an industrial chemical:

Handling

• Avoid generating and inhaling dust (for solid grade); avoid aerosol formation for solutions.
• Avoid direct contact with eyes, skin and clothing.
• Do not eat, drink or smoke when handling the product.
• Wash hands thoroughly after handling.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Safety glasses or chemical splash goggles.
• Chemical-resistant gloves (e.g. nitrile).
• Protective clothing in case of large-scale handling or frequent contact.
• Use local exhaust ventilation in dusty areas or where vapors/mist may form.

First Aid Measures (summary)

• Eye contact: Rinse cautiously with clean water for several minutes, removing contact lenses if present and easy to do. Seek medical attention if irritation persists.
• Skin contact: Wash with soap and water. Remove contaminated clothing. Get medical advice if redness or discomfort continues.
• Inhalation: Move victim to fresh air. Keep at rest in a comfortable position. Seek medical attention if breathing is difficult.
• Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water. Do not induce vomiting unless directed by medical personnel. Seek medical advice promptly.

Fire & Spill

• Product is not expected to be highly flammable, but as with all organic solids, avoid dust clouds near ignition sources.
• In case of spill, collect solid or absorb solution with inert material, place in suitable containers for disposal, and rinse area with water. Follow local regulations for waste disposal.

Full safety details should follow the site-specific Safety Data Sheet (SDS) used by your facility.