There are few lines we won’t cross when the carrot of clear skin is being dangled in front of us. And if you thought a Barbara Sturm vampire facial or snail mucus serum were as out-there as skin care treatments get, then you haven’t heard of urine therapy (also known as urotherapy).
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What exactly is urotherapy?
If you were thinking it involves something as outlandish as smearing your own wee all over your skin woes, then yes. That is exactly what it involves. This natural (maybe a little too natural if you ask us) skin therapy is said to help soothe and clear chronic skin conditions such as eczema and acne, according to Medical Daily.
Martha Christy, a natural healthcare consultant and the author of In Your Own Perfect Medicine revealed that the anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties urine contains can not only reduce acne but even assist with preventing diseases and boosting our overall immunity.
So should we be trying urotherapy? Ummm… no
Absolutely not. In fact, according to dermatologist Mona Gohara, the entire ‘anti-bacterial’ premise is counterproductive, as the source of where we are getting our urine from poses its own risk of contamination. “I have no problem with the urine itself, it’s sterile, but what that urine comes out of definitely isn’t,” she said speaking to Cosmopolitan UK.
So while there are claims of urine being anti-fungal, unless you have an ulterior way of extracting it (and we really hope you don’t) then “you’re introducing a host of issues and bacteria.”
Are there any effective substitutes for urotherapy?
Urine once held an important spot in our medical history books, dating back to ancient Egypt and Greece. However, fast forward to the present day and Dr. Gohara insists that its place in modern skin care is both redundant and risky.
“Urine is high in urea, which is a natural exfoliant that helps soften skin and break down the top layer of skin cells.” Impressed? Nah, you’ll still be able to find off-the-shelf products containing AHAs and BHAs, “all of which are safer and more effective and don’t carry the possible risk of, you know, E.coli,” she added.
bh recommends: Neutrogena’s Deep Clean ® Cream Cleanser, Panemorfi Skincare Lactic Acid Gel Cleanser
So if you’re fighting what feels like a never-ending battle with acne, don’t lose hope. There are plenty of sans-wee routes to try first.
Main image credit: Getty
Have you ever heard of this technique? What do you think about it?
What? Interesting nonetheless
WEll my Gran did always say that if you had chillblains then you should pee on them…eck
POW’s in the camp used to wash with their own Urine. The reason was that it was the only way they could have a warm liquid and it was bitterly cold.
100% 🙂 🙂 🙂
Hahaha yeh. Plenty of better options, nicer smelling ones too!
Yeah. So glad I have always had good skin and never been desperate enough to try that!
I like my skincare without the possible chance of added E.coli thank you 🙂
Will not be trying Urine Therapy anytime soon so glad that there are other alternatives such as Panemorfi Skincare Lactic Acid Gel Cleanser would be much better to use on my Skin.
That is one of the craziest things I’ve read!
What on earth???????????? Beyond weird.
You’ve said it perfectly and completely, Miss19.
Have seen hand/feet cream products with high urea content in them. Never liked them or their scent.
‘Pissing’ myself laughing. What next – faeces facials? Now that would be a load of crap!
Thanks =)
Gross, no thanks!
Yuk!
omg don’t even mention that Frenchy or they’ll be doing it next ! lol xo
I’ll be keeping out of this one! Far out brussell sprout.
Oh interesting
No, I had not heard of it. But even if I had, I’d be leaving this one alone. I thought vampire facial was weird, but pee facial… hard pass, thanks.
No no no but I’m sure there is at least one celebrity out there who would think this is a good idea and mass produce it in the belief that we want to know what her wee smells like. And there are people out there who buy into it. Her candles sold out.
No Thanks !! I am sure this would not be the best option
Some people obviously have way too much time on their hands to be thinking of what weird stuff they can use as skincare next!
Lemon trees don’t mind being peed on though.
I’ve never heard of this, I’ve only heard of peeing on your skin where a jellyfish has stung you.
Me too. I avoid the product if urea is an ingredient
Sounds like that cray cray Gwenie?
Nope. Just, nope.
Reading some of these comments, made me laugh! Thanks ladies!
Haha so true
Yuck! No thanks!
I’d rather have big bulging pustules on my face,thanks!
Not at all. Each to their own. I’m pretty sure they take the bacteria out. But if you were using your own pee it shouldn’t cause problems as fresh urine is actually quite sterile until it hits oxygen outside your body.
Wonder what Petey E is up to? Maybe working on Paleo Chef Urine Salad Dressing????
Look… Never say never… I have suffered hormonal acne since my first period!! No one can help me so although it sounds freaky I would probably consider if I saw research enough to convince me it may solve my problem!! I’m sure you’re all freaking out at me now! Haha!
hmmm
Interesting, I’m sure their are alternative options that can achieve similar results.
Someone’s taking the p#$$! – & smearing it on their face!
As a devoted p#$$ taker, even I wouldn’t try this! But I might pretend to if I thought I could trick someone else into trying it, lol!
Yep knew this I just don’t think it does much.
Urea in skincare is always made in a lab – not from urine!
No No No.
Very interesting. Fortunately I’ve never had bad acne.
I’ll pass!
Gross.
I’m sure there are plenty of hygienic alternatives to pee to treat acne.
Yep that’s who I’m talking about. And I won’t be falling off my chair if I hear that there is a salon in Hollywood who collects and “purifies” your urine and sells it back to you.
I think you would stink and no one would want to come near you when you are doing this pee facial.
What did I just read? Next time they will tell us something about faeces Yuck NO!!!
Totally agree! I remember there was that old wives tale when I was growing up to pee on a wart or something like that. No thank you!!
I regret clicking on this article, gross!
You’d have to be desparate!
This is not a new thing and has been around for decades at least (probably centuries), but count me out.