5 Benefits Of Allantoin For Skin, How To Use, & Side Effects

Reviewed by Dr. Schwarzburg, MD
April 7, 2022 Written by Ramona Sinha, Certified Skin Care Coach

Many products contain allantoin for skin care. But, have you ever heard of it? Don’t be concerned. You are not to blame! This skin-beneficial substance has never received the attention it truly deserves. Due to its great skin advantages, allantoin is commonly used in Korean cosmetic products. You will adore this ingredient if you have dry or sensitive skin. Let’s take a look at what allantoin does to your skin. Just keep reading!

In This Article

What Is Allantoin?

Allantoin is a chemical ingredient and diureide of glyoxylic acid, often used to treat dry, rough, and itchy skin due to its moisturizing, skin smoothing, and wound healing properties (1),(2).

Allantoin also occurs naturally. Comfrey, a shrub that grows in some parts of Asia, North America, and Europe, is a reservoir of allantoin. The roots of comfrey contain allantoin and are often used to prepare ointments, creams, and lotions (3).

However, the comfrey plant contains toxins, which may cause serious side effects if used in its natural form. Luckily, its extracts are refined and processed in the labs to remove all toxins to make them suitable for cosmetic and skin care products (4).

Allantoin is also found in sugar beets, chamomile, wheat sprouts, and in certain types of bacteria and animals but not as abundantly as in comfrey.

The allantoin developed in laboratories is just as potent as its naturally occurring counterpart, and it can help your skin in many ways. Scroll down to know more about its benefits.

Benefits Of Allantoin For Skin

1. Heals Wounds

Allantoin helps heal wounds, skin injuries, and scars faster. It stimulates the fibroblasts (cells that produce collagen) and boosts extracellular matrix synthesis. This helps re-establish normal skin on the wound site, making it less visible (5), (6). Comfrey extract may also help manage skin irritation. However, researchers concluded that it is because of the interaction of allantoin with other ingredients present in the extract (7).

2. Anti-Aging Benefits

A study showed that topical application of allantoin and other ingredients could improve skin texture and drastically reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines (8). It also facilitates collagen synthesis, which gives your skin a youthful appearance.

3. Keeps Your Skin Moisturized

Allantoin keeps your skin hydrated, plump, and soft by preventing transepidermal water loss. Meaning, if you have dry and flaky skin, allantoin can help it retain more water and stay moisturized (8), (9), (10).

4. Promotes Skin Exfoliation

Allantoin is a keratolytic agent (10). This means it helps exfoliate dead skin cells and manage conditions where your epidermis produces excess skin cells (such as lesions and warts).

5. Help Manage Eczema

Allantoin, along with other ingredients, can help manage mild to moderate eczema by improving skin hydration, reducing itchiness (11). It exfoliates the dry and damaged skin cells to improve skin texture and radiance (12).

Allantoin is available as serums, moisturizers (creams and lotions), and gels. You can easily incorporate it into your daily skin care routine. Let’s understand how.

How To Use Allantoin

Cream Or Moisturizer

Cleanse your face with a mild face wash.
Apply a toner and follow up with the cream.

Serums And Gels

Cleanse your face and neck with a mild cleanser.
Apply a toner.
Apply the serum or gel all over your face and neck.
Seal the ingredients with a sleeping mask or night cream.

Allantoin is a safe ingredient for your skin. However, avoid combining it with certain ingredients.

Ingredients To Combine And Avoid With Allantoin

Allantoin works well with almost all ingredients (including retinol), especially silicone-based moisturizers and other emollients. However, avoid using it with alpha and beta hydroxy acids, such as glycolic, lactic, mandelic, and salicylic acids.

It is because allantoin and AHAs and BHAs exfoliate the skin. Combining them may cause over-exfoliation, redness, and skin irritation.

The FDA-approved topical application of allantoin at 0.5% to 2.0% concentration is considered safe (13). However, it may cause some side effects. Scroll down to know more.

Side Effects Of Allantoin

Allantoin works as a conditioning agent for your skin. Like most other emollients, it is considered safe. However, if you are allergic to it, you may experience minor side effects, such as:

Itching
Skin irritation
Redness
Burning
Stinging

If you use any skin product with allantoin and experience any of these side effects, stop using it immediately and consult a doctor.

Allantoin is a well-known and widely used ingredient in various popular skin care products. It is one of the more flexible compounds in usage as a chemical compound that is excellent for the skin. If you have sensitive skin that easily becomes inflamed and red, allantoin can help. With so many advantages, it is easy to see why allantoin is so popular among cosmetic formulators. Now is the moment if you have not already incorporated it into your skin care routine. However, discuss your skin concerns with a dermatologist, and introduce products gradually. If you experience an allergic response, discontinue use.

Key Takeaways

Allantoin is a chemical substance that also naturally occurs in a shrub called comfrey.
This ingredient can aid in wound healing, help you manage eczema, and fights the signs of aging.
It is found in creams, gels, serums, and moisturizers.
You may experience mild irritation, redness, and burning if you are sensitive to it.

Sources

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