What Does Urea Do in Your Skincare? Benefits and Uses

Urea, also known as carbamide, hydrates and exfoliates dry, itchy skin. It also helps manage skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis.

Skin care products often contain urea to treat flaky, irritated, peeling, or dry skin. It adds moisture and exfoliates dead skin cells, promoting new cell growth and soothing irritation. Urea can also improve the effectiveness of other ingredients.

Here are the potential benefits of using skincare products containing urea:

• Hydrates your skin: Urea is a humectant, meaning it can keep your skin moist by drawing water from the deeper layers of your skin and the air. Many studies have shown that products containing urea can successfully treat dry skin, especially on the feet.
• Helps remove keratin and dead skin cells: Urea is a keratolytic agent, which means it can break down the keratin protein found in the outer layer of your skin. This can help decrease flaking and peeling of the skin and alleviate corns or calluses.
• Supports antifungal medications: Fungal infections, such as onychomycosis, are usually treated with topical or oral antifungal medications. Research suggests that using topical urea in addition to these medications may improve treatment outcomes. However, more research is needed to confirm its effectiveness.
• Improves the effectiveness of other medications: Urea may also improve the effectiveness of other medications. One study found that urea may help medications like metronidazole penetrate the skin. However, research in humans is needed to confirm its effectiveness.
• Counteracts the effects of aging: Excessive exposure to the sun can age your skin, especially on the hands. Research has shown that urea can help improve the appearance of photodamaged skin.

Urea helps maintain a strong, hydrated skin barrier and is found in many skin care products, such as body washes, moisturizers, creams and lotions. Depending on their urea concentration, these products help eliminate excess dead skin cells.

For this reason, products containing urea are often used to improve skin conditions that create dry, itchy, flaky, flaky skin, such as eczema and psoriasis.

A 2014 study found that urea is useful in treating the following conditions:

• Atopic dermatitis (eczema)
• Corns and calluses
• Ichthyosis (thick, scaly skin)
• Keratosis
• Keratoderma
• Psoriasis
• Xerosis (dry skin)

When choosing a urea product, choose one with the right concentration for your needs. Lower concentrations (2-10%) improve xerosis (dry skin). Medium concentrations (10-30%) treat atopic dermatitis (eczema) and psoriasis. Higher concentrations (30% or more) attack ichthyosis.

After selecting the right product for your skin type and needs, follow the product’s application instructions unless a doctor has recommended specific instructions. You will generally apply the product twice a day.

Creams, lotions and gels containing urea are often humectant emollients with a strong occlusive effect (or the ability to prevent water loss and keep your skin hydrated) and can last from 6 to 24 hours. They can leave a thicker film on your skin than products with a lesser occlusive effect.

If a doctor has suggested a product containing urea, follow their instructions for use.

Otherwise, here are general steps to follow when applying products containing urea to your entire body:

• Soak in a lukewarm bath for 5 to 10 minutes.
• Use a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser and resist the urge to scrub your skin.
• Rinse with lukewarm water.
• Lightly pat your skin with a towel, leaving your skin slightly damp.
• Apply all prescription topicals as directed.
• Add the urea-containing moisturizer to the rest of your body within three minutes.
• Avoid placing the urea product on areas containing prescription medications.
• Wait a few minutes for the products to absorb into your skin, then get dressed.

Research indicates that topical products containing urea are generally well tolerated. However, people with sensitive skin may experience mild skin irritation, which is often more prevalent with higher urea percentages. This reaction is usually temporary and goes away on its own.

It is possible to have an allergic reaction, such as contact dermatitis, although this is rare and usually only occurs with products containing larger amounts of urea.

Before using a product containing urea, test it on a small area of ​​skin at the crease of your elbow. Apply a quarter-sized amount for 7 to 10 days. If there is no noticeable skin reaction, you can probably continue using the product on larger areas of skin.

However, you may want to consult a dermatologist first.

Urea is on the World Health Organization’s list of essential medicines due to its safety and effectiveness. Researchers have found that even in high doses, urea is safe for long-term topical use with a low risk of side effects.