Allantoin

Allantoin is a nitrogen-rich organic compound produced during purine breakdown in many organisms. It is also used in skin-care products for its soothing and moisturizing properties.

Purine catabolism: The metabolic breakdown of purines into reusable compounds or excreted waste products. Allantoin is a downstream product of this pathway in many organisms.
Skin care: Practices and products intended to cleanse, protect, or improve the condition of skin. Allantoin is included in topical products for soothing and skin-conditioning effects.
Ureide: An organic compound containing a urea-derived group bonded to another molecular structure. Allantoin belongs to this nitrogen-rich family of compounds.
Allantoate: The deprotonated form of allantoic acid, formed when allantoin is hydrolyzed. It is a downstream metabolite, not the same compound as allantoin.
Xanthine oxidase: An enzyme that oxidizes hypoxanthine to xanthine and xanthine to uric acid. Its reactions produce uric acid, a precursor in allantoin formation.
Cosmetics: Products applied to the body to cleanse, protect, or alter appearance. Allantoin serves as a skin-conditioning ingredient in some cosmetic formulations.
Glyoxylate: A two-carbon organic acid and metabolic intermediate related to glycine and oxalate. Allantoin breakdown can yield glyoxylate-related products.
Uric acid: A nitrogen-containing compound formed during purine breakdown and excreted as waste in humans. Humans excrete uric acid, whereas many other organisms continue its breakdown to allantoin.
Urate oxidase: An enzyme that oxidizes urate to 5-hydroxyisourate in organisms that express it. It catalyzes the first step from urate toward allantoin.
Skin protectant: A topical substance that forms a barrier or otherwise helps protect skin from irritation. Allantoin is used in some products marketed to protect irritated skin.

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