Intended for healthcare professionals

The role of urea in emollients

Ronald Marks
Urea is an important component of a number of emollient preparations. In this brief review I will discuss the rationale for its use and describe its role in the treatment of dry skin conditions. Firstly, what do we mean by ‘dry skin conditions’? Essentially, the term is used to describe any skin disorder marked by scaling. Xeroderma is also often used to categorise a particular group of patients with dry skin who have ‘constitutionally dry skin’, which is worse in conditions of low relative humidity and in the wintertime.
Dermatology in practice 2005; 13(4): 28–29
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Dermatology in practice was previously supported by Wyeth from 2008 to 2010, by Wyeth and Serono in 2007, by Wyeth and Shire from 2005 to 2006, by Medlock Medical in 2004 and by SSL International from 2001 to 2003.

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