Urea foot cream
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- Flexitol Heel Balm. Best for: Rough, dry or cracked heels. See options on Amazon
- 40% urea callus cream. Best for: Thick calluses on heels and soles. See options on Amazon
- 10% urea foot cream. Best for: Everyday dry feet without thick calluses. See options on Amazon
What urea does for feet
A 2021 review in Dermatology and Therapy describes urea as a molecule that absorbs water and is part of the skin's natural moisturizing factor. It says urea is one of the most common moisturizers and keratolytic agents in dermatology, meaning it both hydrates and helps break down thick, scaly skin.
The review notes that dry skin of the feet is very common, and that a systematic review found urea emollients were the most researched for it, with fourteen studies using urea at 5%-40% showing good clinical responses.
Choosing a strength
| Urea level | Main use, per the 2021 review | Foot cream example |
|---|---|---|
| Low, 2%-10% | Moisturizing and skin barrier support | Everyday foot creams for dry skin |
| Medium, 10%-30% | Moisturizing and softening thick skin | Flexitol Heel Balm, 25% urea |
| High, 30% and up | Breaking down thick skin | PediFix Podiatrists' Choice cream, 40% urea |
Product strengths are from Flexitol and PediFix. Higher is not always better: the review says side effects are mild but more frequent at high concentration.
Two foot cream examples
- Flexitol Heel Balm (25% urea). Flexitol says it combines 25% urea with aloe, vitamin E, shea butter, lanolin, glycolic acid and tea tree oil, and comes in 2oz, 3oz and 4oz sizes. Its directions are to apply sparingly to rough, dry, cracked and thickened skin on the feet twice daily, morning and night.
- PediFix Podiatrists' Choice Callus Control Cream (40% urea). PediFix says its 40% urea formula is made to soften and smooth thickened skin on the feet and heels, and lists heel calluses, dry cracked skin and rough patches as targets.
Flexitol publishes a study in patients attending a diabetes and podiatry clinic in which its 25% cream gave greater skin hydration than a 10% urea cream. The 2021 review also cites a pilot study of 30 people with diabetes where a 25% urea cream did better than 10%. Treat maker studies as limited evidence.
How to use urea cream
- Apply a thin layer. NIDDK suggests rubbing a thin coat of lotion, cream or petroleum jelly on the tops and bottoms of the feet.
- Not between the toes. NIDDK says not to put lotion or cream between your toes because moistness might cause an infection.
- Target thick areas. Use higher strengths on heels and callused spots rather than all over.
- Be consistent. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) says moisturizers with urea, salicylic acid or ammonium lactate gradually soften hard skin when used daily.
- Expect a smell. The review says urea creams may have an unpleasant odor that fades quickly.
For filing thick skin safely alongside a cream, see our pumice stone guide and callus remover guide.
Side effects
The 2021 review calls urea formulations well tolerated. It says mild skin irritation is occasionally seen, can be more frequent at higher concentrations, and is temporary. It found only one reported case of allergic contact dermatitis to a high-strength urea cream.
Follow the directions and warnings on the product you buy, stop using it if irritation does not settle, and ask a provider about cracks that are deep, bleeding or painful.
If you have diabetes
NIDDK says checking your feet each day helps spot problems early, and advises against soaking feet because the skin will get too dry. It also says not to cut corns and calluses or use medicated corn pads or liquid corn removers, because they can damage skin and cause infection.
Flexitol says its heel balm is suitable for the daily skin care of people with diabetes. Even so, ask your provider or podiatrist before using a high-strength urea cream, and get any crack, sore or color change checked. See our diabetic socks guide and corn and callus pads guide for more foot protection.
What to look for when you buy
Flexitol Heel Balm
Best for: Rough, dry or cracked heels
Flexitol lists 25% urea with shea butter and lanolin, applied twice daily to rough, dry, cracked and thickened skin.
Watch out: Apply sparingly; keep it out from between the toes.
See options on Amazon40% urea callus cream
Best for: Thick calluses on heels and soles
PediFix lists 40% urea to soften and smooth thickened skin on the feet and heels.
Watch out: High strength; use only on thick skin and ask a provider first if you have diabetes.
See options on Amazon10% urea foot cream
Best for: Everyday dry feet without thick calluses
The 2021 review links concentrations up to 10% with moisturizing and barrier support.
Watch out: Check the label for the actual urea percentage.
See options on AmazonQuestions people ask
- What percentage of urea is best for feet?
- It depends. The review links 2%-10% with moisturizing and 30% and up with breaking down thick skin.
- Is 40% urea cream safe?
- It is used for thick skin. Irritation is more frequent at high strength, so keep it to callused areas.
- Can I put urea cream between my toes?
- NIDDK advises people with diabetes not to put cream between the toes.
- Why does urea cream smell?
- The review says urea creams may have an unpleasant odor that fades quickly.
- Can people with diabetes use urea foot cream?
- Many do; Flexitol says its balm suits diabetic skin care. Ask your provider about high strengths.
Sources
- Urea in Dermatology: A Review of its Emollient, Moisturizing, Keratolytic, Skin Barrier Enhancing and Antimicrobial Properties (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov), Dermatology and Therapy (PMC8611129)
- Heel Balm (flexitol.com), Flexitol
- Podiatrists' Choice 40% Urea Callus Control Cream (#P3314) (pedifix.com), PediFix
- Diabetes & Foot Problems (niddk.nih.gov), National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
- How to treat corns and calluses (aad.org), American Academy of Dermatology