% of Urea..does it really matter?

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Happy New Year and welcome to our first blog of 2023!

Wishing you all great success and happiness in this year ahead.

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Every day I am writing ideas down for my next blog. I try to write about topics which of course are interesting. I also try to write about topics which, for whatever reason seem to be the “topic of the day”.

Today I am writing about %’s of ingredients in our products. Does it really make a difference as to whether a product contains 5% urea or 20% urea. THIS is the topic of today. I don’t know who started it, yet it obvious to me someone is touting that our new sa’SHá product only has 5% or less urea in it. As if, that’s a bad thing.

So, I began my research as to how to explain why %’s do or do not matter. It’s a learning experience for both of us.

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You can always tell when a product is making headway into our industry.

At first it’s a bit ignored. Then, as it becomes more popular, the naysayers then try everything and anything to shoot it down. It’s actually very sad. As much support as we get in this Industry, the behind the scenes can be very cut throat.

With sa’SHá, there is nothing to hide. The combined ingredients make it work. It’s safe. It’s cost effective and it’s saving our technicians not only $$$ in their pedicure room, it’s saving them effort.

In addition the bonus smiles which come from all the clients who are seeing and feeling a difference in their pedicure service, due to sa’SHá….is priceless!

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Since 2008 when I first met Footlogix, I became a huge fan of Urea. I researched all I could find about the ingredient and felt very confident in my teachings about the benefits.

When I began looking for another product line to add to my venue, Urea was my #1 choice of ingredient must haves. Although the same, yet different, our LCN Urea line of products hasn’t let us down.

When it came to developing my own brand, it was absolutely necessary for me to have Urea in our brand. The lab questioned my passion with Urea, as sa’SHá required very little, due to it’s accompanied ingredients. In the end, we are all pleased with the outcome.

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Let’s get to the guts! Does the % of ingredients in a brand….really matter? The answer is NO!

Firstly, it is hugely important to understand, by limiting the % of ingredients in products and truthfully limiting the amount of ingredients….you reduce the risk of irritation or allergies.

Additionally, higher percentages doesn’t necessarily mean more effective.

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]% of ingredients isn’t the only factor regarding ingredient effectiveness. How an ingredient is handled in a formula and what it is paired with is equally as important.

As in skin care for the Oncology clients. Although Urea is a safe ingredient to recommend to Oncology care clients, if the product you are recommending has additional ingredients which are NOT safe for the Oncology care client, it’s safe to say you should not recommend it.

The best thing you can do, is know your ingredients. Something we go in depth with when we teach our Oncology Care in the Pedicure rom classes.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]

When choosing your foot care products my recommendation is to look for an ingredient which exfoliates or has keratolytic properties. Look for hydrators or humectants to soften the skin. Look for ingredients which will process into the layers of the epidermis, allowing the skin to repair itself from the inside out.

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]Water (aqua) is typically always the first and highest percentage of ingredients in most products. Why?

Water plays an important part in the repairing process, often acting as a solvent to dissolve other ingredients and forming emulsions for consistency.

Let’s not get confused with every day tap water. Water in cosmetics has to be “ultra-pure” meaning it is free from microbes, toxins and other pollutants.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]Emollients are also important in skin care because they soften the skin by preventing water loss. Especially important when trying to maintain moisture on the skin of our feet.

Some popular emollients in foot care might be beeswax, olive oil, glycerine.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]Getting back to % of ingredients in your products. Many ingredients should only be used at a fraction of a percentage. In this case, the saying “More is NOT best” really holds true;

    In many cases, certain ingredients with higher concentrations of any or all ingredients, could actually be drying to the skin.  This sentence really resonates with me. When doing a side by side comparison of our two(2) full pedicure brands, Footlogix and LCN…we have noticed more hydration following the LCN pedicure a day to two later.

    What I had surmised by what I already had learned is even though Flx has 20% urea in their callus softening product and LCN only has 17%, the LCN showed more hydration. Why? Lower percentage of urea yes, yet also extra added moisturizing or hydrating ingredients like lactic acid, Allentoin and panthanol offered additional hydration.

    This doesn’t make one better than the other. You just have to know what it is your looking for.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]There are many great callus softening products in our industry. There are also a great amount of different people in our Industry. People who all are looking for something different.

    I think you should just write a list of what your requirements are.

    I did the same thing when developing sa’SHá. I had my list. One being I needed a product with as few ingredients as possible, yet be highly effective, quick, easy and cost effective.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]Some helpful thoughts might be?

    • Do I want strictly clinical?
    • Do I want wet, dry or both?
    • Do I want fragrance?
    • Do I want luxury?
    • Do I want to work smarter not harder?
    • Do I want to “WOW” my clients?
    • Do I want brand names?
    • Do I want support?
    • What are my top 3 wants?
    • Do I want organic or clean?
    • What is my budget?
    • etc. etc.

    The list can go on forever. You have to narrow it down and then make a small investment (to try the products) and compare.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]Final answer. NO! The %’s of Urea in your product for foot care does not matter.

    What does matter is what ARE the ingredients which accompany Urea. Are they beneficial, effective, hydrating and safe.

    And…..I myself, will now be looking for brands concentrating on what the ingredients are, not so much what the % of each ingredient is.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]

    Our goal for 2023 is to continue to offer you great, honest education. Will you be joining us in 2023?

    Check out of education link for upcoming classes in 2023

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    [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”9172″ title=”CJ Murray, President”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

    12 thoughts on “% of Urea..does it really matter?”

    1. I enjoyed your research into the % of urea. I have been a long time Footlogixs user and highly promote it in my studio-it gave me results I had never seen before especially with the Rough skin and Cracked heel formula. I tried LCN’s line but didn’t like it as well. But I have always wondered about the urea content so thank you for your hard work in research so I could take the lazy man approach 😉

      1. Thank you Sandra and Happy New Year! There are definite differences between the two lines and that’s ok. What might work for you may not work for someone else which is why I personally like to offer different choices, yet…not too many.
        This is what I enjoy about my job. Educating with topics either you may not have even thought about, or just didn’t have the time. So, thank you for taking the time to read this.

    2. Wow! I really appreciate your sharing your knowledge with me. I’ve been doing nails for over 30 years and I’m in Awe of all the education I’m receiving, especially in the footcare industry. I’m excited about our foot in the beauty industry. Thank you so much!
      Sincerely,
      Renee ( FootMazing!)

      1. Thank you Renee and yes, it truly is amazing what is available at our fingertips these days. Knowledge is power…..keep up the great work 🙂

    3. Krystal Thompson

      Thank You for this information. It is very informative am just getting into pedicures sooo excited to learn about different products and ingredients.

    4. This was interesting! I’ve been doing some research and really looking for products that I can use across the board. I’m looking for a product line that has products to treat my most difficult client to my most sensitive client. Having so many different product lines in my back bar can be daunting and the constant ordering and experimenting can be exhausting! Thank you for your insight! Looking forward to future educational opportunities with CFB!!!

      1. Thank you Angel for your response to this article. I welcome the opportunity to assist and feel highly confident you would be very satisfied with either of our brands. Our first class “3 Modalities of foot care” will cover lots about ingredients and how to make the choice as to what to use in your pedicure arena based on “your” needs. We do of course use the products we represent, yet the information will be universal. I hope to talk with you in the near future.

    5. I love this!
      Years ago, I was told Urea is urine in our products 🙀. After simple research I found enough to convince me that it was true.
      Since it keeps popping up as a ‘good’ thing, I can’t found what I found before to convince me otherwise 😳.
      I sooooo appreciate your research CJ and setting the record straight. I am now on the Urea bandwagon. Knowledge is power! I’ll keep learning as much as I can about the products I believe in making sure they’re the best for my Clients! Thanks for helping me do that!

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