The experts consulted for this story do not necessarily endorse the products ahead unless otherwise noted.
Did you know that your pee contains an ingredient that dermatologists say can be incredibly hydrating, smoothing, and transformative for your skin?
Dr. Carmen Castilla, a board-certified New York-based dermatologist, previously told HuffPost that urea in concentrations of 2-10% has “excellent hydrating effects for dry skin issues.” She said that multiple clinical trials on the use of urea-containing formulations have shown significant improvement in many of the dermatoses presenting with scaly and dry skin, such as atopic dermatitis.
Before you panic at the idea of applying skin care products containing urine, board-certified and Los Angeles-based dermatologist Dr. Asmi Berry assures us that any urea used in these formulations is 100% synthetic, lab-made, safe and dermatologist-trusted.
According to board-certified dermatologist with MDCS Dermatology, Dr. Brendan Camp, this is because urea is both a humectant and a keratolytic, meaning it can draw and retain moisture into the skin and help it feel softer and smoother.
Berry said in addition to treating rough or thickened skin, like those dealing with eczema, keratosis pilaris, psoriasis, or even cracked heels, urea-containing moisturizers can also indirectly have anti-aging benefits.
“By improving skin hydration and gently exfoliating, urea can help soften the appearance of fine lines and support a smoother, more youthful skin texture. It’s especially helpful when the skin barrier is compromised,” Berry said.
Urea is most commonly found in moisturizers and the skin care experts that we spoke to suggested several different options in the list ahead. We were also sure to include a few of our own picks as well.
A roughness relief spot treatment
Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Brendan Camp said the Eucerin Roughness Relief spot treatment is useful for treating texture-prone areas like the elbows, knees, and heels. This targeted smoothing cream contains a concentrated dose of urea to soften and hydrate scaly patches and extreme dryness, while lactic acid (a beloved chemical exfoliant) helps to minimize flaking and bumps. Problem areas will also be protected thanks to the inclusion of three skin barrier-restoring ceramides and nourishers like annuus seed oil.
Amazon
A 10% urea body lotion with ceramides
Another Eucerin option came from board-certified dermatologist Dr. Asmi Berry, who said that this is a great, gentle exfoliating body moisturizer for very dry or flaky skin.
“It combines 10% urea with ceramides and natural moisturizing factors to repair the skin barrier and reduce tightness or itch,” Berry said of the UreaRepair Plus, which also promises to be useful for skin conditions like eczema and keratosis pilaris (also known as KP, strawberry legs or chicken skin).
Also, if you’re unfamiliar with natural moisturizing factors, they’re a blend of compounds crucial for maintaining skin elasticity and lasting hydration.
Sephora
A hydrating 10% urea body lotion
“This lightweight body lotion has 10% urea and glycerin to intensely hydrate and smooth rough skin,” Berry said of the Isdin Uradin Lotion, a clinical skin care brand our HuffPost editors are big fans of.
If you’re someone who isn’t a fan of creamier body lotions, then this might be a good option because of its lightweight, fast-absorbing and non-greasy consistency. The formula also features dexpanthenol, an emollient that can be beneficial for irritated, itchy or damaged skin.
“It is especially great for keratosis pilaris or post-shaving bumps,” she added.
Amazon
A lightwieght body cream for bumpy skin
Both Camp and Berry recommended this body cream from Cetaphil, with Berry calling it “a great drugstore pick for gentle exfoliation and hydration in one.”
According to Camp, it’s a hypoallergenic, fragrance-free and non-greasy formula with 20% urea that gently dissolves built-up keratin and dead skin surface cells to strengthen the moisture barrier and soften skin. In addition to targeting rough and bumpy skin, this daily cream contains glycerin, a well-studied humectant that keeps skin hydrated.
Amazon
A gel-oil for target cracked palms and feet
If you’re plagued with rough, thickened and cracked areas on the heels or hands, Camp suggests this hydrating gel oil by Isdin. Along with 10% urea, this treatment uses a concentration of lactic acid and bacillus ferment, and antimicrobial and enzymatic exfoliant that can remove dead skin cells and improve skin texture. The fast-absorbing formula is rounded out with hyaluronic acid to boost the skin’s hydration level.
Amazon
An intensive 40% urea cream with salicylic acid
Our pick: We just uncovered the Ebanel intensive moisturizing and softening cream, which, at 40%, contains the highest concentration of urea out of every option on this list. Protective, intensely moisturizing and softening, this cream also features 2% salicylic acid to help exfoliate away patches of rough and flaky skin, as well as targeting things like calluses, corns and cracked skin. The shea butter-based formula is enriched with trusted hydrators like hyaluronic acid, coconut and jojoba oils, and antioxidants like green tea and vitamin E. It’s a combination that can be useful for feet and elbows and even promote healthier-looking nails.
Amazon
A psoriasis cream with urea and salicylic acid
Our pick: CeraVe’s line of ceramide-filled formulas is frequently recommended to us by skin care experts, and this particular body cream is geared specifically for those who deal with psoriasis-prone skin and scaly patches. Like all of CeraVe’s products, this rich and itch-fighting cream contains three ceramides that are essential for maintaining a healthy skin barrier. It also uses urea, salicylic and lactic acid to gently exfoliate, as well as niacinamide, a popular antioxidant that can soothe irritation and redness and brighten skin tone.
Target
A shea butter-based urea milk for the face and body
Our pick: Prequel is a dermatologist-founded brand that you may have seen pop up on the shelves of Target, and this advanced relief moisturizing milk contains 10% urea to hydrate, smooth and exfoliate. Suitable for the body and face, this silky and mid-weight formula is enriched with nourishing shea butter, moisture-boosting glycerin and niacinamide, which can calm redness and brighten skin.
Sephora
A soothing facial moisturizer with colloidal oatmeal
Our pick: I have several products from The Inkey List, an affordable skin care line that specializes in single-ingredient products with no-fuss branding. Even dermatologists that we’ve previously spoken to appreciate the brand’s Supersolutions line, which has active ingredients very similar to prescription-grade products. This fast-absorbing moisturizer contains 10% urea in a lightweight texture that won’t feel overly thick or occlusive on the skin. Perfect for eliminating those red, flaky patches and repairing a compromised skin barrier, the addition of 1% colloidal oat helps to soothe irritation, making this suitable for people who have eczema or psoriasis-prone skin.