Products with urea

What is urea (carbamide)?

Urea – also called carbamide – is a substance found naturally in the skin that helps it retain moisture. Urea is the name used on ingredient lists, and carbamide is the Danish name for the same substance. For skincare, it is produced in a laboratory.

What does urea do for the skin?

At low concentrations, urea binds moisture, making dry skin feel softer. At higher concentrations, above around 10 %, it also softens hard, thickened skin. This makes urea cream a good choice for dry skin and for hard skin on the heels, soles, elbows and knees.

How to use cream with urea

Apply a thin layer to clean, dry skin, preferably in the evening so the cream can work overnight. Use it regularly, as regular use is what keeps skin soft. Avoid wounds and deep cracks, as urea can sting on cracked skin. If you have diabetes and problems with your feet, talk to your doctor or podiatrist about your foot care. A couple of minutes of massage in the evening is a little break that feels good.

On each product, you can see whether it is fragrance-free, dermatologically tested or AllergyCertified. If you are not happy with your purchase, you are covered by our 100% satisfaction guarantee.

Read more about dry skin in the guide Dry skin – causes and solutions, or read what the studies show about urea. See also all our foot creams and products with lactic acid, or find your routine in Find your routine.