What the science says about Urea
Peer-reviewed research on Urea, summarised in plain language. Every study links to its record on PubMed so you can read it yourself.
Urea for skin barrier
Some evidence for skin barrier- Most studies found urea helped the skin barrier, especially by improving dryness and rough skin
- Urea often helped the skin hold more water in the outer layer
- Studies found less dry, rough, cracked skin in several skin conditions
- Some studies found stronger urea creams improved dryness faster than a comparison cream
- Results were mixed for water loss through the skin, and effects seemed to depend on the formula
22 studies
Hygiene and emollient interventions for maintaining skin integrity in older people in hospital and residential care settings.
The Cochrane database of systematic reviews2020Meta-analysis133 participants4%Neutral
In a large review of trials in older people in residential care, a skin care regimen with 4% urea used with a body wash showed little or no difference in water loss through the skin versus usual care.
Moisturizer formulations for diabetic foot xerosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Frontiers in clinical diabetes and healthcare2026Systematic reviewPositive
In a large review of clinical trials in adults with diabetes and dry skin on the feet, creams with urea improved dry skin more than standard base creams after 4 weeks.
Moisturisers for the treatment of foot xerosis: a systematic review.
Journal of foot and ankle research2017Systematic reviewNeutral
A large review of trials on foot dry skin found that urea was studied often, but it did not show clear evidence that urea helped the skin barrier more than other ingredients.
Urea: a comprehensive review of the clinical literature.
Dermatology online journal2013Systematic reviewPositive
A large review of many clinical studies reported that urea used on the skin helped dry skin and contact dermatitis, but it did not give a separate skin barrier result.
Comparative Efficacy of Novel Skin Barrier Repair Cream and Urea 40% for the Management of Pedal Fissures.
Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association2025RCT48 participants40%Positive
In a 28-day clinical trial of 48 people with pedal fissures, 40% urea used on its own improved dry skin and fissures about as well as the comparison cream.
Randomized Double-blind Cost-effectiveness Comparison of Two 10% Urea Creams in Patients with Diabetic Foot Syndrome.
Advances in skin & wound care2024RCT10 participants10%Positive
In a 3-month clinical trial of 10 people with diabetic foot syndrome, 10% urea cream improved dry foot skin and related skin barrier signs.
A Biomimetic Combination of Actives Enhances Skin Hydration and Barrier Function via Modulation of Gene Expression: Results of Two Double-Blind, Vehicle-Controlled Clinical Studies.
Skin pharmacology and physiology2022RCT44 participants10%Positive
In a 2-week trial of 44 women with very dry skin, a 10% urea moisturizer used with other ingredients improved skin hydration and water loss through the skin more than a placebo.
Treatment by a moisturizer of xerosis and cracks of the feet in men and women with diabetes: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
Diabetic medicine : a journal of the British Diabetic Association2017RCT167 participantsPositive
In a 4-week trial of 167 people with diabetes, a cream with urea, glycerine, and petrolatum helped heel cracks and dry skin more than a placebo.
Use of a urea, arginine and carnosine cream versus a standard emollient glycerol cream for treatment of severe xerosis of the feet in patients with type 2 diabetes: a randomized, 8 month, assessor-blinded, controlled trial.
Current medical research and opinion2015RCT50 participantsPositive
In a 32-week trial of 50 people with diabetes and severe dry skin on the feet, a cream with urea, arginine, and carnosine improved dryness and skin hydration more than glycerol cream.
Effects of water activity and low molecular weight humectants on skin permeability and hydration dynamics - a double-blind, randomized and controlled study.
International journal of cosmetic science2014RCTMixed
In healthy volunteers, urea in a simple formula helped skin hold more water, but it also made the skin barrier more permeable after 4 hours.
The influence of a humectant-rich mixture on normalz skin barrier function and on once- and twice-daily treatment of foot xerosis. A prospective, randomized, evaluator-blind, bilateral and untreated-control study.
Skin research and technology : official journal of International Society for Bioengineering and the Skin (ISBS) [and] International Society for Digital Imaging of Skin (ISDIS) [and] International Society for Skin Imaging (ISSI)2013RCT62 participants15%Mixed
In a study of 62 people, 15% urea used together with alfahydroxy acids helped dry feet, but it did not change water loss through the skin there.
An urea, arginine and carnosine based cream (Ureadin Rx Db ISDIN) shows greater efficacy in the treatment of severe xerosis of the feet in Type 2 diabetic patients in comparison with glycerol-based emollient cream. A randomized, assessor-blinded, controlled trial.
BMC dermatology2012RCT40 participants5%Positive
In a 28-day trial of 40 people with diabetes and very dry feet, a cream with 5% urea used together with other ingredients improved dry skin more than a glycerol cream.
Efficacy of topical 10% urea-based lotion in patients with ichthyosis vulgaris: a two-center, randomized, controlled, single-blind, right-vs.-left study in comparison with standard glycerol-based emollient cream.
Current medical research and opinion2011RCT30 participants10%Positive
In a 4-week trial of 30 people with ichthyosis vulgaris, 10% urea lotion improved dry, rough, cracked skin more than a glycerol cream.
Changes in skin barrier function following long-term treatment with moisturizers, a randomized controlled trial.
The British journal of dermatology2007RCT78 participants5%Mixed
In a 7-week trial of 78 people with normal skin, a cream with 5% urea was linked to lower water loss through the skin and less irritation after deliberate damage, but urea was not isolated.
Vehicle-controlled effect of urea on normal and SLS-irritated skin.
International journal of pharmaceutics2004RCT5%Mixed
In people with normal skin and skin irritated on purpose, 5% urea had mixed effects on water loss through the skin and hydration, depending on the formula used.
A prospective, randomized, controlled double-blind study of a moisturizer for xerosis of the feet in patients with diabetes.
Ostomy/wound management2002RCT40 participants10%Positive
In a 4-week clinical trial of 40 people with diabetes, a foot cream with 10% urea and lactic acid improved dry skin more than a placebo cream.
Clinical evaluation of 40% urea and 12% ammonium lactate in the treatment of xerosis.
American journal of clinical dermatology2002RCT25 participants40%Positive
In a 25-person trial of moderate to severe dry skin, 40% urea cream improved dryness and skin roughness faster than ammonium lactate.
Improved topical treatment of lamellar ichthyosis: a double-blind study of four different cream formulations.
The British journal of dermatology1999RCT20 participants5%Positive
In a 4-week trial of 20 people with lamellar ichthyosis, 5% urea cream reduced dry skin.
Comparison of salicylic acid and urea versus ammonium lactate for the treatment of foot xerosis. A randomized, double-blind, clinical study.
Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association1998RCT54 participants10%Positive
In 54 people with mild-to-moderate foot dry skin, a 10% urea ointment used with salicylic acid reduced dry skin over 4 weeks, about as well as ammonium lactate.
Topical treatment by urea reduces epidermal hyperproliferation and induces differentiation in psoriasis.
Acta dermato-venereologica1996RCT10 participants10%Mixed
In a 2-week trial of 10 people with psoriasis, 10% urea increased how much water the outer layer held, but it did not clearly lower water loss through the skin.
Effect of vehicle on the performance of active moisturizing substances.
Skin research and technology : official journal of International Society for Bioengineering and the Skin (ISBS) [and] International Society for Digital Imaging of Skin (ISDIS) [and] International Society for Skin Imaging (ISSI)2015Clinical trial20 participantsPositive
In a study of 20 healthy women, urea in both a gel and an emulsion helped reduce water loss through the skin, and the emulsion held more water.
Efficacy of topical hydrating and emollient lotion containing 10% urea ISDIN® plus dexpanthenol (Ureadin Rx 10) in the treatment of skin xerosis and pruritus in hemodialyzed patients: an open prospective pilot trial.
Giornale italiano di dermatologia e venereologia : organo ufficiale, Societa italiana di dermatologia e sifilografia2011Clinical trial15 participants10%Positive
In a 4-week pilot trial of 15 hemodialyzed people with dry skin, a lotion with 10% urea plus dexpanthenol improved dry skin.
Research context, not treatment advice. Studies are about the ingredient, not any one product.
How we grade research for skin barrierProducts with Urea
Products we have confirmed contain Urea, from their ingredient lists.