Cosmetics with urea
Urea, or carbamide (listed as Urea on ingredient lists), is an organic compound that also occurs in small amounts in human skin. Some product names state the urea percentage, for example 5%, 10% or 25%. The majority of the selection is foot care – creams, balms, masks and serums; there are also hand and body creams, shampoos, hair and scalp care products, liquid soap and a body cryogel.
In the catalogue: Foot creams and products, Hand & Foot care.
Related selections: Moisturising creams.
How to choose a product with urea
What matters most is which area the product is for and how much urea it contains. Below: what the selection holds and what to check on the pack.
Products by area
- For feet and heels – creams, balms, foams and masks. They usually contain more urea: for example 10, 20 or 25%, and 50% in an intensive mask.
- For hands – creams for daily care with a low share of urea, 3–5%.
- For the body – a gel, liquid soap and creams for the body and hands.
- For the scalp and hair – a shampoo, a serum, a spray and a scalp scrub.
What to check on the pack
- Percentage of urea. If the name does not give it, look for Urea in the ingredients: they are listed in descending order of quantity, so the nearer Urea is to the start, the more of it there is.
- Where to apply. In this selection, products with 20% urea or more are made for rough skin on the feet – they are applied only to those areas; the instructions give the details.
- Texture. A balm or a mask is richer, a cream or a foam lighter – the lighter ones are handier for daily care.
- Sensitive skin. Check whether the ingredients include fragrance (Parfum, Fragrance) and essential oils.
Before first use, test the product on a small area of skin. Do not apply to damaged skin or mucous membranes; stop using it if irritation occurs.
Our pick
The best seller of each group over the last 90 days.
Questions and answers about these products
This cream combines a high concentration of urea with humectants and sunflower seed oil to soften thick, rough skin rather than just moisturising the surface.
It is designed to soften rough skin and help reduce odour, with menthol and peppermint for a cooling, fresher feeling — but it is not an antiperspirant.
Explains urea's dual moisturizing and gentle exfoliating action in a wash-off format, and how the formula's other ingredients work together to support the skin barrier without stripping it.
Explains the specific role of urea in winter dryness and how it works with other ingredients.
Urea helps dry foot skin hold moisture and feel smoother by loosening hardened surface cells. At 4%, it is intended for softening and hydration rather than intensive exfoliation.
