Basic Information of Hydroxyethyl Urea
- Product Name: Hydroxyethyl Urea / Hydroxyethylurea
- Hydroxyethyl Urea Chemical Name: (2-Hydroxyethyl)urea, β-Hydroxyethylurea, N-(2-Hydroxyethyl)urea
- Hydroxyethyl Urea CAS No.: 2078-71-9
- Hydroxyethyl Urea Molecular Formula: C₃H₈N₂O₂
- Hydroxyethyl Urea Molecular Weight: 104.11
- Hydroxyethyl Urea Appearance: White crystalline powder or colorless, transparent solution
What is Hydroxyethyl Urea?
- Hydroxyethyl Urea is an organic compound used as a highly effective humectant in cosmetics and daily chemical products.
- Hydroxyethyl Urea Powder: A white crystalline powder with a purity of ≥98%, It is suitable for products requiring high-concentration addition or strict control over the water content of the formulation.
- Hydroxyethyl Urea Solution:A colorless to pale yellow, transparent liquid.It uses a cold-mixing process and can be added directly to the product.This helps shorten product production cycles and reduce production energy consumption.

Why choose Highassay?
- Highassay is a China-based supplier of Hydroxyethyl Urea raw materials. We offer Hydroxyethyl Urea in two forms: solid (pure grade) with a purity of ≥98%, and liquid (typically a 50% aqueous solution).
- We offer various packaging options for Hydroxyethyl Urea based on its physical state: solid powder (25 kg woven bags or cardboard drums with PE liners) and liquid (25–200 kg plastic drums made of HDPE). We also provide accompanying documentation such as MSDS, COA, and TDS.
- Highassay offers customized Hydroxyethyl Urea solutions; simply inform us of your specific requirements or application scenarios, and we will promptly provide a reasonable quotation for the raw material, along with tailored recommendations.
- Choosing Highassay means choosing stability, professionalism, and efficiency. Contact us today to request samples and a quote.
What can Hydroxyethyl Urea be used for?
Hydroxyethyl Urea is primarily available in three grades: cosmetic grade, industrial grade (or general industrial grade), and pharmaceutical intermediate grade.
Highassay primarily specializes in the sale of cosmetic-grade Hydroxyethyl Urea raw materials.
Hydroxyethyl Urea for skin:
- Our Hydroxyethyl Urea can be added to basic skincare products, functional skincare products, and facial cleansing products.Helps increase skin hydration to alleviate dryness.
- Our Hydroxyethyl Urea can be added to bath products, baby care products, sunscreens, makeup, hair removal, and deodorant products.In addition to its soothing and moisturizing effects, it also effectively regulates the condition of the skin.
Hydroxyethyl Urea for hair:
- Our Hydroxyethyl Urea can also be used in shampoo and hair care products.Helps improve frizzy hair texture, making the hair softer and smoother.


Cosmetic-Grade Hydroxyethyl Urea
Application Scenarios for High-Concentration Hydroxyethyl Urea
- For leave-on products: Our Hydroxyethyl Urea raw material can be used at concentrations of up to 20.6%.
- For spray products: Our Hydroxyethyl Urea raw material can be used at concentrations of up to 5%.
Application Characteristics of Cosmetic-Grade Hydroxyethyl Urea
- Transparent Formula: Our Hydroxyethyl Urea solution is suitable for serums and various transparent products, without affecting their appearance.
- Suitable for Both Hot and Cold Processes: Our Hydroxyethyl Urea solution can be added to the aqueous phase at any temperature, offering strong process adaptability.
Whether you are developing high-end anti-aging creams, lotions specifically for sensitive skin, refreshing serums, or baby care products, Highassay’s Hydroxyethyl Urea delivers exceptional moisturizing performance and a delightful skin feel to your formulations.
No. The molecule of Hydroxyethyl Urea contains a hydroxyethyl group (–CH₂–CH₂–OH), and this group is stable.Therefore, Hydroxyethyl Urea neither contains formaldehyde nor releases it.
Hydroxyethyl Urea is a highly effective, mild, and safe humectant.
Hydroxyethyl Urea is a derivative of urea. Hydroxyethyl Urea is produced through the reaction of ethanolamine with Urea.
Hydroxyethyl Urea retains the exceptional moisturizing power of Urea while resolving issues related to irritation, stickiness, and unpleasant odors.
Yes. At normal cosmetic concentrations, Hydroxyethyl Urea is safe for pregnant women.
Hydroxyethyl Urea is not a prohibited ingredient for pregnant women; it does not penetrate the bloodstream, contains no hormones, causes no alcohol-related irritation, and poses no teratogenic risks.
The only thing to keep in mind is to purchase skincare products through legitimate channels and avoid using unverified or unregulated products.
Yes, Hydroxyethyl Urea is very gentle on rosacea-prone skin, but it does not have any therapeutic effects.
As a foundational moisturizing ingredient, Hydroxyethyl Urea helps skin affected by rosacea maintain the health of its skin barrier, thereby creating a more favorable skin environment for pharmacological treatment.
Related Products
Why Use Hydroxyethyl Urea as a Humectant?
- Hydroxyethyl Urea possesses superior hygroscopic and moisturizing capabilities compared to traditional humectants, such as glycerin(moisture absorption: 82% vs. 34%).In particular, it remains capable of ensuring continuously soft skin, even under relatively extreme environmental conditions.
- Hydroxyethyl Urea can give you an ultimate skin feel experience (non-sticky, non-greasy).This is also something that traditional humectants—such as glycerin and propylene glycol—cannot achieve.Hydroxyethyl Urea allows your products to maintain a refreshing feel, even during the summer.
- Hydroxyethyl Urea delivers exceptional skincare benefits.The non-ionic nature of Hydroxyethyl Urea enables it to penetrate the stratum corneum of the skin.It increases the skin’s moisture content, preventing dryness and enhancing its elasticity.
- Hydroxyethyl Urea is a mild and non-irritating product.At safe concentrations, it causes no irritation to the skin or eyes and offers a high level of safety.Hydroxyethyl Urea effectively mitigates the risk of stinging associated with traditional urea, making it more suitable for infant and child formulations.
- Hydroxyethyl Urea possesses excellent compatibility and broad compatibility.When combined with other ingredients, it helps enhance the product’s overall moisturizing efficacy and offers cost advantages.
- Hydroxyethyl Urea is environmentally friendly and biodegradable.
Physicochemical Properties of Hydroxyethyl Urea
- Hydroxyethyl Urea Melting Point: Approx. 93°C
- Hydroxyethyl Urea Boiling Point: 254.3°C at 760 mmHg
- Hydroxyethyl Urea Density: 1.222 g/cm³
- Hydroxyethyl Urea Solubility: Easily soluble in water, methanol, and ethanol; insoluble in oils and fats
- Hydroxyethyl Urea pH Value: 6.5–7.5 (5% aqueous solution)
- Hydroxyethyl Urea Hygroscopicity: Exhibits extremely strong hygroscopic properties
- Hydroxyethyl Urea Assay: ≥98%
- Hydroxyethyl Urea Solid Content: 48.0%–52.0% (Liquid Grade)
- Hydroxyethyl Urea Loss on Drying: ≤1%
- Hydroxyethyl Urea Residual Urea: <1%
- Hydroxyethyl Urea Heavy Metals: ≤0.002%
- Hydroxyethyl Urea Temperature Stability: Stable across a wide temperature range; can be incorporated into the aqueous phase at any temperature
- Hydroxyethyl Urea Compatibility: Highly compatible with the vast majority of cosmetic ingredients
- Hydroxyethyl Urea Storage Precautions: Store in a tightly sealed container, protected from light







