Ingredient guide
Urea
INCI name · urea
In short
Urea (also known as carbamide) is a skincare humectant generally associated with hydration and skin texture and smoothness. It is often chosen for dry and combination skin. MIRU describes it by what is visible on skin, never as a treatment or cure.
What it is
At 5%, urea moisturisers helped eczema-prone skin stay relapse-free longer. Reviews describe moisturising effects at 10% or less and more keratolytic action above 10%; the whole formula still matters.
Evidence receipt
StrongUrea · applied to skin
Based on 4 sources
Open the citable record5% urea moisturisers helped eczema-prone skin stay relapse-free longer, while reviews distinguish moisturising use at up to 10% from stronger keratolytic use above 10%.
Studied as Urea: 5% urea barrier-improving cream, reference moisturising cream, urea-containing barrier moisturiser, no maintenance treatment, 5% urea cream, four other experimental moisturisers, urea-containing topical formulations at 10% or less, urea-based preparations above 10%.
The trials studied complete moisturiser formulas, mostly as maintenance after eczema had cleared; they do not prove that every urea product performs the same way.
See 4 sources
Six-month multicentre randomized double-blind controlled trial in atopic dermatitis: the 5% urea cream reduced relapse risk by 37% versus a reference moisturiser and prolonged median time to relapse from 15 to 22 days.
eczema relapse risk, time to relapse · 5% urea barrier-improving cream, reference moisturising cream
Acta Derm Venereol, 2015Randomized 26-week maintenance study in 44 people whose atopic eczema had cleared: 68% using the urea moisturiser remained relapse-free versus 32% with no treatment; median time to relapse was more than 180 versus 30 days.
relapse-free maintenance, time to relapse · urea-containing barrier moisturiser, no maintenance treatment
J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol, 2009Seven-week randomized forearm study in 78 volunteers: the ordinary 5% urea cream decreased transepidermal water loss and reduced susceptibility to an irritant, while some simplified moisturisers weakened barrier measures.
transepidermal water loss, irritant response · 5% urea cream, four other experimental moisturisers
Br J Dermatol, 2007Clinical-literature review: urea formulations at 10% or less act mainly as moisturisers, while concentrations above 10% exert a keratolytic action.
moisturising action, keratolytic action · urea-containing topical formulations at 10% or less, urea-based preparations above 10%
Dermatol Ther, 2018
Affiliation note. Publication links report the study authors and their affiliations. MIRU does not infer independence from an affiliation alone.
When to use it
Either. Morning or evening.
On the label
2–10% for hydration on labels
Above 10% it shifts from hydrating toward smoothing rough, flaky patches.
Pairs well with
Where it sits
A watery layer. After cleansing, before anything heavier, ideally on slightly damp skin.
- Cleanse
- Tone
- Urea
- Moisturise
- SPF
Also found as
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Check an ingredient listCommon questions
What does Urea do for skin?
Urea is associated in published research with hydration and skin texture and smoothness. At 5%, urea moisturisers helped eczema-prone skin stay relapse-free longer. Reviews describe moisturising effects at 10% or less and more keratolytic action above 10%; the whole formula still matters. MIRU frames ingredients by what is visible, not by medical claims.
When should I use Urea?
Urea is typically used morning or evening. Introduce any new active on its own first and add one product at a time so you can see how your skin responds.
Is Urea suitable for my skin type?
Urea is often chosen for dry and combination skin. It is generally considered well tolerated. If your skin is reactive, patch-test first and watch for any irritation.
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Personal guidance, not medical advice.