Urea is a humectant and hygroscopic substance formed as a natural end product of protein metabolism. As a result, it attracts and retains moisture to keep skin hydrated.

In an open-label trial, 30 patients with foot xerosis were treated for 6 weeks with either a 10% or 25% urea cream. The higher concentration cream produced a more dramatic improvement in foot skin hydration.

Dry Skin

Urea is an emollient that moisturizes your skin, and also helps remove dry and dead skin cells. It does this by binding with water and pulling it into your skin, which helps keep it hydrated.

This makes urea great for treating dry, rough, or callused skin. When applied topically, urea loosens dead skin cells, allowing them to fall off naturally. This process is called keratolytic activity, and it’s what makes products containing urea so good at treating calluses, corns, psoriasis, and dermatitis. It’s important to note, however, that higher concentrations of urea can cause side effects like burning and itching on more sensitive skin.

When used regularly, urea can improve your skin’s barrier function and increase the water content in the upper layer of the skin (the stratum corneum). It’s also been shown to decrease TEWL, improve the absorption of other skincare products, and reduce itching in patients with atopic dermatitis.

Footlogix harnesses the power of urea in all of its products. The addition of this beneficial ingredient, in combination with our patented Dermal Infusion Technology, helps the cream penetrate into the deeper layers of your skin to produce truly transformational results. The result is smooth and soft skin with improved appearance, as well as relief from the symptoms of a variety of conditions including dryness, cracked feet, and nail fungus.

Cracked Heels

While you may have heard of chapped lips and dry hands, you may not be aware that your feet are also at risk of dry skin. This can lead to cracked heels, which can be cosmetically unsightly in sandals but can be very painful. If left untreated, these cracks can become severe, causing painful blisters and limiting mobility. Heel fissures are often caused by improper shoes or a medical condition like diabetes that impairs circulation and nerve function.

The best treatment for cracked heels is regular use of a thick moisturizing foot cream, especially one that contains urea. This ingredient is naturally present in the body as part of the natural moisturizer factor (NMF), helping to keep skin hydrated. It works as a gentle exfoliant, softening calluses and loosening dead skin cells. Additionally, it acts as a humectant to lock in moisture by binding water molecules to the skin.

In addition to regular moisturizing, it is important to wear properly fitting shoes that allow your feet to breathe. It is also important to avoid scrubbing your feet, as this can cause dryness and make the cracks worse. If home treatments don’t help, it is a good idea to see a podiatrist or doctor. They can prescribe stronger medications or recommend other treatments that will heal your cracked heels and prevent future outbreaks.

Diabetic Foot Care

For diabetics, proper foot care is essential. Diabetic foot problems are a leading cause of hospitalization for people with diabetes. Long-term diabetes can lead to nerve damage (diabetic neuropathy), which decreases sensation in the feet, making it harder to feel sores or injuries. This can lead to serious infection of the foot or toe that may require amputation. Fortunately, proper daily foot inspection can help prevent these serious complications.

Creams formulated with urea are often used in foot care regimens for diabetics. Urea is a powerful humectant and can significantly increase skin hydration. It is also a mild exfoliant, which can help remove dead skin cells. This can be especially beneficial for diabetics, who have a higher risk of developing a buildup of dry, thickened skin called xerosis.

Look for diabetic foot creams that are free of fragrances, dyes, and harsh chemicals to avoid irritating sensitive skin. Wash your feet daily with warm, not hot water and pat dry. Be sure to dry thoroughly, particularly between your toes. Don’t go barefoot and wear comfortable shoes that are not too tight or have hard soles. If you notice any cuts or blisters, contact a podiatrist for immediate care. Regularly schedule visits with your podiatrist to get a professional diagnosis and treatment. These specialists can help you develop a healthy foot care routine to help prevent diabetic foot complications.

Nail Care

Urea’s ability to absorb moisture helps prevent dry skin and nail problems. It also helps to soften calluses and allows the skin to shed dead cells naturally. This is why it’s so important for people with dry feet to use a foot cream containing urea.

Urea also helps to protect the skin’s barrier from fungal infections. Fungal infections like athlete’s foot thrive in warm, moist environments. Many traditional moisturizers exacerbate the problem by providing too much moisture to the skin and nails. Urea foot cream acts as a barrier to these infections by keeping the skin and nails moist.

In addition to its moisturizing properties, urea is also known for its ability to exfoliate the skin. It is a keratolytic agent, which means it can break down the protein in the outer layer of the skin. This helps reduce flaking and scaling and can help treat nail fungus. Creams containing urea with a concentration of more than 10 percent have the strongest exfoliating effects.

A keratolytic product can be used in combination with oral and topical antifungals to improve the effectiveness of the treatment. One study found that the combination of fluconazole and urea at 40% was more effective in treating onychomycosis than either medication alone. The urea enhanced the penetration of the antifungal agent into the nail bed and helped the drug reach the target mycelia.