Urea
A natural component of the skin's Natural Moisturizing Factor (NMF) that serves as both a humectant and a keratolytic depending on concentration. At low concentrations (2-10%), urea hydrates by drawing water into the stratum corneum. At higher concentrations (20-40%), it breaks down keratin protein, making it a powerful treatment for rough, thickened, or keratotic skin conditions like keratosis pilaris, calluses, and psoriasis.
Concentration & Usage
Moisturizing: 2-10%. Mild exfoliation: 10-20%. Strong keratolytic: 20-40%. For face: stay at 5-10%. For body rough patches: 10-20%. For calluses/severely rough skin: 40%. Apply to damp skin and seal with cream.
Application
Topical (cream, lotion, gel). Apply to damp skin. Eucerin and CeraVe have well-known urea-containing lines.
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Mechanism of Action
At low concentrations (<10%), urea acts as a humectant — small molecule (60 Da) absorbing into stratum corneum, drawing water via hydrogen bonding to carbonyl and amine groups. Part of endogenous NMF (filaggrin degradation products with amino acids, lactate), highly biocompatible. Integrates into corneocyte envelope, supports aquaporin-3 water transport. At higher concentrations (>10%), denatures keratin (K1, K10) by disrupting hydrogen bonds in alpha-helical structure and disulfide bridges in cornified envelope, causing corneodesmosome degradation and desquamation. Keratolytic via direct protein denaturation, not enzymatic. Dual mechanism — humectant at low dose, keratolytic at high — versatile for hydration and hyperkeratotic conditions (psoriasis, keratosis pilaris).
Ingredient Interactions
Urea at 10%+ has keratolytic (exfoliating) properties similar to AHAs. Combining with glycolic acid can over-exfoliate. Use one or the other, or use low-concentration urea (under 5%) with AHA.
See our full Ingredient Interactions Guide for more combinations and timing strategies.
Regulatory Status
OTC active ingredient at higher concentrations. Cosmetic ingredient at lower concentrations. Available worldwide without prescription.
Risks & Safety
Common
Stinging on broken or irritated skin (more likely at higher concentrations).
Serious
None.
Rare
Contact dermatitis (uncommon).
Compare Urea With
Research Papers
10Published: November 29, 2018
AI Summary
Alterations in barrier function are associated with a number of skin diseases, including xerosis, atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis. Here, we summarize the available clinical evidence regarding the effects of urea in the maintenance of healthy skin and management of skin disorders.
Published: February 25, 2019
AI Summary
The results suggest that urea did not have penetration enhancing effect to enhance solute permeation across skin under the finite dose conditions. This suggests that, under the finite dose conditions examined in this study, solutes with molecular sizes similar to or less than urea and ethylene glycol could lead to high percent of skin absorption...
Published: October 23, 2003
AI Summary
Similar to other actives, the efficacy is likely to depend on the dosage, where compliance is a great challenge faced in the management of skin diseases. Recent findings indicate that actives and excipients may have more pronounced effects in the skin than previously considered.
Published: July 3, 2023
AI Summary
Glabrous skin is hair-free skin with a high density of sweat glands, which is found on the palms, and soles of mammalians, covered with a thick stratum corneum. These findings highlight a new direction in understanding the mechanisms leading to dry hands and open opportunities for the development of better moisturizers and hand disinfection prod...
Published: July 13, 2020
AI Summary
An arginase inhibitor improved skin inflammation in murine and non-human primate models of psoriasis. Our findings suggest that urea cycle hyperreactivity and excessive polyamine generation in psoriatic keratinocytes promote self-RNA sensation and PP6 deregulation in keratinocytes is a pivotal event that amplifies the inflammatory circuits in ps...
Published: December 31, 2021
AI Summary
Primary skin lesions indicate diseased skin, and secondary lesions are reactive and result from skin manipulation, such as scratching. In the absence of primary skin lesions, physicians should consider evaluation for malignancy in older patients with chronic generalized pruritus.
Published: November 23, 2021
AI Summary
Hydration is related to the proper functioning of the skin, hindering the appearance of wounds or cracks which could lead to the occurrence of infections or other dermatological alterations. The intention of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of different concentrations of urea (5% and 20%) in hydrating the foot compared to a placebo cream.
Published: January 25, 1974
AI Summary
Abstract too short to summarize.
Published: November 7, 2020
AI Summary
Hand-foot skin reaction (HFSR) is the most common adverse event during sorafenib treatment in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In the present study, we aimed to investigate the role of urea cream in the prevention of HFSR or amelioration of HFSR severity.
Published: December 23, 2024
AI Summary
Spearman's correlation analysis revealed no correlation between serum urea levels and average skin moisture with DLQI (p=0.600 and p=0.353, respectively), indicating that multiple factors contribute to the dermatological quality of life in patients with CKD.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Urea used for?
A natural component of the skin's Natural Moisturizing Factor (NMF) that serves as both a humectant and a keratolytic depending on concentration. At low concentrations (2-10%), urea hydrates by drawing water into the stratum corneum. At higher concentrations (20-40%), it breaks down keratin protein, making it a powerful treatment for rough, thickened, or keratotic skin conditions like keratosis pilaris, calluses, and psoriasis.
What are the side effects of Urea?
Common: Stinging on broken or irritated skin (more likely at higher concentrations). Serious: None. Rare: Contact dermatitis (uncommon).
How is Urea administered?
Urea is administered via topical (cream, lotion, gel). apply to damp skin. eucerin and cerave have well-known urea-containing lines..
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