Allantoin
A gentle soothing agent that softens rough, dry patches and helps comfort sensitive, stressed skin.
allantoin, 5-ureidohydantoin, glyoxyldiureide
Sensitive skin · Dry & dehydrated skin · Barrier support
What it does
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient that helps protect and comfort the skin. First identified in the root of the comfrey plant, it is now usually made in the laboratory, which gives a pure, consistent ingredient. Allantoin is also mildly keratolytic: it softens the rough, dry cells on the surface so they shed more easily, which makes it a gentle way to smooth sensitive skin.
How it works
Allantoin essentially smooths and softens the skin. It helps loosen dry, flaky patches and leaves the surface feeling more comfortable, and it is well tolerated by most skin types. That is why it appears, usually at low levels, in so many creams, serums, cleansers and mists for sensitive, dry or stressed skin; it supports a formula rather than acting as an exfoliant in its own right.
MG says
Allantoin is ideal for stressed, compromised or sensitive skins. Look for it alongside other calming ingredients, such as colloidal oatmeal, aloe vera, centella asiatica, bisabolol and niacinamide, to help calm the look of redness and keep skin comfortable. It is also among the ingredients in Auteur Definitive Hyaluron Activator Serum, which is so much more than a hydrator.
Cautions
Allantoin is very well tolerated. As with any new product, patch test first if your skin is very reactive.
