The influence of urea on percutaneous absorption.

The release characteristics of aqueous and oily creams (BP) containing urea up to concentrations of 10% have been studied. The results show that the urea has little influence on the ability of the formulation to release its active ingredient, in this case, hexyl nicotinate. The preparations were then assessed in an in vivo experiment by measuring the time of onset of erythema induced by the hexyl nicotinate. The urea influenced the time of onset of erythema, and a mechanism for its action is proposed.