What is Urea and how does it help with cancer skincare?
- CancerPal
- Jun 21
- 6 min read
Moisturising creams containing urea are often recommended for people going through cancer treatment who are experiencing, dry, cracked skin, especially on the hands and feet. If you're looking for a product to help ease cancer related skin issues and want to understand why urea based products are recommended, look no further. We have done the research for you.
How is the skin affected by cancer treatment?
Cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation can take a significant toll on the skin, leading to dryness, cracking, scaling, and sensitivity. One ingredient that has shown promise in alleviating these side effects is urea, a naturally occurring compound with potent moisturising and keratolytic (exfoliating) properties.
What is Urea?
Urea is a clinically validated substance for dry skin that provides hydration, exfoliation, barrier restoration, and anti-inflammatory properties. Its ability to attract and retain moisture, improve skin barrier function, and encourage exfoliation makes it an important ingredient in skincare formulas for people with dry or sensitive skin.
Urea is a product of the liver, also known as carbamide. This is a waste product caused by breakdown of proteins in the body. While urine contains urea, it is also an organic compound naturally present in healthy skin. Urea can act as a humectant. Humectants are substances that attract water. In personal care products, they can help to hydrate skin, hair or nails.
How does urea help with cancer skincare?
Deep Hydration
Because urea is a humectant, it attracts and retains moisture in the skin. For cancer patients experiencing extreme dryness and flakiness, urea-based creams help restore hydration levels, improve skin elasticity, and soothe irritation.
Gentle Exfoliation
At higher concentrations, urea helps gently remove dead skin cells, which can accumulate due to slowed cell turnover during cancer treatments. This exfoliating action can help reduce thickened or rough patches without damaging sensitive skin.
Skin Barrier Support
Cancer therapies often compromise the skin barrier, increasing susceptibility to infections and discomfort. Urea strengthens the skin’s protective barrier by promoting healthy skin regeneration and enhancing the effectiveness of other topical treatments.
Symptom Relief
Urea cream can help relieve the itching caused by dry skin, providing both relief and comfort. Urea has anti-inflammatory qualities that relieve and calm irritated or inflamed skin.
Non-Irritating Formulation
Most people tolerate urea cream well, even those with sensitive post-treatment skin. It has a low risk of irritation or sensitisation, making it safe for long-term usage in skincare products.
Relief from Hand-Foot Syndrome
Many chemotherapy patients develop hand-foot syndrome (palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia), a condition characterised by redness, swelling, and pain in the hands and feet. Urea creams have been clinically proven to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life.
How Long Does it Take For Urea to Heal Dry Skin?
After using a lotion containing urea once or twice a day for 2-3 weeks, you should notice an improvement in the texture of your skin. Continue applying the cream as needed to ensure your skin stays soft, smooth, and crack-free.
Can urea be used on broken skin?
Applying urea to exposed wounds or broken skin can cause severe irritation. It is important to avoid using it on affected areas until they have healed. Do not get urea cream in or near the eyes, lips or other areas of sensitive skin.
How to choose the right urea cream?
When choosing the best urea cream for your specific requirements, it's important to consider the following factors:
Urea Concentration: Urea creams are available in a variety of concentrations, ranging from 5% to 40%. According to 'Topical urea in skincare: A review', creams containing lower doses of urea (less than 10%) act as a skin moisturiser, while creams containing higher concentrations of urea (more than 10%) exert a keratolytic or exfoliating action.
Formulation and Ingredients: Fragrances can irritate sensitive skin, so look for fragrance-free formulas to reduce the risk of irritation. Ceramides, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, aloe vera, and chamomile can improve the moisturising and soothing properties of urea cream, but avoid lotions containing alcohol, colours, parabens, and sulfates, as these can worsen dryness and irritation.
Texture and Absorption: Thicker creams or balms are best for extremely dry, cracked skin as they offer a protective barrier and long-lasting hydration. However, if you're applying to your feet, look for creams that absorb easily and don't leave behind a greasy residue.
Brands & Reviews: At CancerPal we do the hard work for you as we only stock products that have been recommended by people who have been affected by cancer. However, it's still important that you do your own research. Make sure you choose items from well-known, reliable skincare brands that are known for their quality and effectiveness. Read other users' reviews to determine the product's usefulness and any adverse effects and in particular, look for feedback from people who have similar side effects.
Products containing urea we stock on the CancerPal Marketplace:
CancerPal stocks a variety of products containing different concentrations of urea:
Udderly Smooth Extra Care Cream is by far the best selling Urea cream on the CancerPal website. It is affordable and effective and we have received so many positive reviews about how it has helped those suffering with skin conditions, not just chemotherapy and radiotherapy but conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. We include Udderly Smooth Extra Care Cream in many of our Care Boxes to provide a thoughtful and practical gift.
Simply Feet Heel Balm with 25% Urea is a medically proven treatment for rough, dry, thickened skin on the heel and sole of the foot. It contains 25% Urea, the skins natural moisturiser, in a rich emollient base and is free from parabens and perfumes. It has an excellent consistency and can be easily dispensed for convenience.
Restorate Intensive Foot Spray is designed to be effective and easy to use. Treat and repair dry, hard skin and cracked heels with fast, effective relief. Enriched with 25% Urea and natural amino acids, potent moisturisers that maintain skin's moisture balance and suppleness, resulting in luxuriously smooth feet. Restorate Intensive Foot Spray is a clear liquid mist spray with a fast-absorbing, non-greasy formula. Leaves skin feeling silky smooth without the hassle of rubbing in or greasy residue.
Restorate Revive Foot Balm provides intense moisture and skin renewal. With 30% Urea, this advanced formula penetrates deeply to hydrate, soften, and exfoliate rough, cracked skin. Enjoy lasting hydration that leaves feet smooth, supple, and comfortable – even after long, demanding days.
Discover the convenience of a balm that absorbs quickly and leaves no greasy residue behind. The lightweight texture makes application effortless and ensures your feet feel soft and refreshed without that sticky, heavy feeling.
Application Tips for Urea Creams
To get the most out of urea cream and guarantee that it works to improve skin hydration, it's important to use it correctly. Here are some application tips:
Start Low: If you haven't previously used urea cream, to reduce the risk of irritation on sensitive skin, begin with a lower concentration (5% to 10%) and build up to a higher concentration.
Patch Test: Before using urea cream extensively, apply a tiny amount to a discreet region of skin (such as the inner forearm) and wait 24-48 hours for any evidence of irritation or an allergic response.
Target regions: Concentrate on the regions that require the greatest attention, such as feet and hands, and any other dry or rough patches.
Amount: Apply a small, pea-sized amount on smaller areas and adjust for bigger areas. Applying too much can result in unneeded waste and irritation.
Technique: Use circular motions to gently massage the cream into the skin. This improves blood circulation and promotes even distribution. To avoid further irritation, do not rub vigorously, especially on delicate or irritated regions.
We always recommend that you consult with your oncology team before using any new skincare products, particularly if you are undergoing radiotherapy treatment.
Conclusion - Urea for cancer skincare
Incorporating urea into skincare for individuals undergoing cancer treatment can provide meaningful relief from skin-related side effects. Always consult with a healthcare provider or dermatologist before starting any new skincare regimen, especially during cancer therapy.
CancerPal sells a variety of other products to help manage dry and damaged skin from chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment in the Skincare section of the CancerPal MarketPlace. Or if you are looking for relief from Hand-Foot Syndrome, we also have a Hand-Foot section of the CancerPal MarketPlace.
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