Urea-based foot creams are a popular skincare product that contain urea as one of the primary active ingredients. Urea is a naturally occurring compound found in the body, particularly in urine, and it plays a role in the skin’s natural moisturizing. In skincare, synthetic urea is used as an emollient and a humectant, which means it helps to hydrate and moisturize the skin.
Moisturizing Properties:
Urea is hygroscopic, meaning it attracts and retains water. This property makes it an effective moisturizer, helping to hydrate the skin by drawing water into the outermost layer of the skin.
Exfoliation:
Urea also has mild exfoliating properties. It can help to break down and remove dead skin cells, promoting smoother and softer skin. This is particularly beneficial for individuals with dry or rough skin conditions.
Keratolytic Effect:
Urea is known to have a keratolytic effect, which means it helps to break down and soften keratin, a protein found in the skin. This can be useful for conditions where there is an accumulation of keratinized skin cells, such as calluses and thickened skin.
Conditions that can treated with urea creams:
Urea-based foot creams are commonly used to treat various skin conditions, including dry skin, eczema, psoriasis, and ichthyosis, plantar callus and cracked heels. They can also be beneficial for individuals with diabetic foot conditions, as diabetes can lead to dry and cracked skin.
Concentration:
The concentration of urea in skincare products can vary. Lower concentrations, such as 2-5%, are often found in over-the-counter moisturizers, while higher concentrations, up to 40%, may be prescribed by dermatologists and podiatrists for specific skin conditions and dystrophic nails. At concentrations of around 15% it is good from the dry flaky skin and at about 25%, it is better for the dry thicker skin. The commercially available urea creams, such as the Walker’s Urea Foot Cream or Glycolix Glyco-Urea KP may be found in several different strengths with every different strength possessing a varied affect.
Side Effects:
In general, urea is well-tolerated by most people and side effects are rare. However, some people may experience a mild stinging or irritation, especially when using products with higher concentrations of urea.
Other Ingredients:
There are various other ingredients with these urea centered creams and that different manufacturers include in the foot creams. Often it may take some experimentation to search out which one suits you.
Where to buy Urea based foot creams
Walkers Urea Foot Cream (Australia) – this is what I use.
Foot Creams with Urea (United Kingdom)
Urea Based Foot Creams (USA)
Urea Foot Creams (Australia)
Urea foot creams (Canada)
Author:
University lecturer, runner, cynic, researcher, skeptic, forum admin, woo basher, clinician, rabble-rouser, blogger, dad.