Urea (Carbamid)
INCI: Urea
Binds moisture and softens hard, dry skin
Good evidence: randomised trials
At a glance
- Suits
- Dry and rough skin – especially hard skin on the feet
- Helps with
- Dry skin on the feet, Dry skin
- Pairs well with
- Lactic acids, Glycerin
- Found in
- 1 ECOOKING product
What can urea help with?
Dry skin on the feet
In a controlled study of 60 adults, a cream with 20 % urea provided more moisture to the skin on the soles of the feet than a cream without urea.[3]
How it works
How to use it
- Apply a thin layer to clean, dry skin, for example on heels and soles in the evening.
- Use it consistently. Regular use is what keeps skin soft.
- Urea can sting on cracked or irritated skin, so avoid wounds and deep cracks.
- If you have diabetes and problems with your feet, talk to your doctor or podiatrist about your foot care.
Products with urea
Overnight Foot Cream
Overnight foot cream that softens hard skin and moisturises dry feet and crac...
Frequently asked questions
Urea – also called carbamide – is a substance found naturally in the skin that helps it retain moisture. In skincare, it is used in creams for dry and hardened skin.
Yes. Urea and carbamide are two names for the same substance. Urea appears on the ingredient list, and carbamide is the Danish name.
Urea for skincare is produced in a laboratory and is not extracted from urine. The substance also occurs naturally in the body and in the skin’s own moisture system.
The percentage shows how much urea the cream contains. Up to around 10 % mainly provides moisture and is suitable for dry skin. Higher percentages also soften hard, thickened skin and are therefore used mostly on feet, elbows and knees.
The most common is mild stinging, especially on cracked or irritated skin. Avoid applying the cream to wounds, and stop if the skin becomes red and irritated.
Sources
- Topical urea in skincare: A review (Dermatologic therapy, 2018)
- Moisturisers for the treatment of foot xerosis: a systematic review (Journal of foot and ankle research, 2017)
- Influence of creams with different urea concentrations on plantar skin hydration (Journal of tissue viability, 2021)
- Urea in Dermatology: A Review of its Emollient, Moisturizing, Keratolytic, Skin Barrier Enhancing and Antimicrobial Properties (Dermatology and therapy, 2021)