Moisturizer with 20% urea improves smoothness, texture in keratosis pilaris
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Key takeaways:
- After the first week of treatment, skin smoothness and texture significantly improved from baseline (–9.25%; P .001)
- After 4 weeks, improvement increased (–11.39%; P .001).
A moisturizer formulated with 20% urea, a natural ingredient found in topical skin care products, may improve smoothness and texture among individuals with keratosis pilaris, according to a study.
“Keratosis pilaris (KP) is a common benign dermatosis affecting an estimated 50% to 80% of adolescents and 40% of adults worldwide,” Erika McCormick, BSc, of George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, and colleagues wrote. “KP is diagnosed clinically based on the presence of folliculocentric keratotic papules or pustules with surrounding erythema, usually located on the proximal extensor surfaces of extremities.”
Often, KP is bothersome or cosmetically distressing to patients with many sufferers reporting embarrassment, decreased self-confidence and social dysfunction because of their condition, according to the study.
Management of KP mainly includes daily moisturization and exfoliation. Urea, a natural, moisturizing, topical skin care ingredient comprised of dependent humectant, emollient and exfoliative properties, may be helpful in the management of KP.
To evaluate the effects of urea on KP, researchers conducted a study in which 30 participants aged 18 to 65 years with KP underwent a 5-day washout period and then began applying a daily moisturizing cream formulated with 20% urea for 4 weeks.
After the first week of treatment, skin smoothness and texture significantly improved from baseline by –9.25% (P .001) with a decrease in percentage indicating a decrease in KP symptoms. This percentage change increased to –11.39% (P .001) after 4 weeks of treatment.
Almost all participants reported improved skin softness (93.3%), smoothness (91.7%) and texture (91.7%) as well as improved confidence (86.7%) and decreased embarrassment (81.7%) related to KP after the 4-week regimen.
“This study contributes to growing knowledge on the clinical outcomes of KP treatment with urea,” the authors concluded. “Application of this 20% urea cream did not cause adverse events during the 4-week treatment period and study participants’ perspectives suggested general satisfaction with its effects.”
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