For your skin
A small molecule your skin already makes. Low concentrations deeply hydrate dry skin; higher concentrations soften thick, scaly patches. A workhorse for very dry, rough, or flaky skin.
Want the science? Keep reading ↓Mechanism of action
Small humectant and natural moisturizing factor component; below 10% hydrates and supports barrier protein expression, above 10% acts keratolytically to soften thickened scale.
Why we tier this strong
7 cited papers across 4 countries. Multiple positive efficacy results plus regulatory backing. Our catalog highlights 7 cited papers as direct references, a curated sample from the broader body of published research that earns Urea its Strong tier (15+ studies including multiple RCTs or a large longitudinal cohort). See our methodology for how we evaluate evidence.
Cited research
Jawed I et al., Effect of topical treatment with urea in ichthyosis, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and other skin conditions: a systematic review, Annals of Medicine and Surgery 2025
Treesirichod A et al., The efficacy and safety of 20% urea cream and 10% urea cream in the treatment of acanthosis nigricans in adolescents: a randomized comparative double-blind study, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2022;21(7):2859-2864 — topical urea cream improved acanthosis nigricans
Piquero-Casals J, Morgado-Carrasco D, Granger C, Trullas C, Jesus-Silva A, Krutmann J, Urea in Dermatology: A Review of its Emollient, Moisturizing, Keratolytic, Skin Barrier Enhancing and Antimicrobial Properties, Dermatology and Therapy (Heidelberg) 2021;11(6):1905-1915
Dorf N et al., Effect of topical treatment with 7.5% urea in Ichthyosis Vulgaris: A randomized, controlled, double-blinded, split-body study, Skin Health and Disease 2021;1(4):e65 — topical urea improved ichthyosis vulgaris
Tadini G et al., Efficacy of topical 10% urea-based lotion in patients with ichthyosis vulgaris: a two-center, randomized, controlled, single-blind, right-vs-left study, Current Medical Research and Opinion 2011;27(12):2279-2284 — topical urea lotion improved ichthyosis vulgaris vs glycerol emollient
Ademola J, Frazier C, Kim SJ, Theaux C, Saudez X, Clinical evaluation of 40% urea and 12% ammonium lactate in the treatment of xerosis, American Journal of Clinical Dermatology 2002;3(3):217-22 — randomized double-blind comparison; 40% urea cream achieved improvement faster than 12% ammonium lactate lotion across hydration, texture, and roughness
Ganemo A, Virtanen M, Vahlquist A, Improved topical treatment of lamellar ichthyosis: a double-blind study of four different cream formulations, British Journal of Dermatology 1999;141(6):1027-32 — double-blind comparative trial including 5% urea cream as one of four formulations for lamellar ichthyosis
Sources: 10 clinical journals and regulatory databases across the US, EU, Korea, Japan, and China. Every entry points to a specific document. See methodology for the full list and what each outcome label means.