Urea is commonly used as a topical treatment to support the management of psoriasis, and its use is supported by scientific evidence, although the evidence base is moderate rather than robust. Urea is a keratolytic agent, meaning it helps to break down and soften the thickened, scaly skin that is characteristic of psoriasis. By enhancing hydration and reducing scaling, urea can improve the appearance and comfort of psoriatic plaques and may also enhance the penetration of other topical therapies.

Several clinical studies and reviews have found that urea-containing creams, particularly in concentrations of 10-40%, are effective as adjunctive therapies in psoriasis. For example, a 2013 review in the journal Drugs in Context highlighted the usefulness of urea in improving skin barrier function and reducing hyperkeratosis. Another review in Dermatologic Therapy (2018) noted that urea is frequently included in emollient formulations for psoriasis and can improve symptoms such as dryness and scaling.

However, urea is generally not sufficient as a sole treatment for moderate to severe psoriasis. Instead, it is most often used as an adjuvant to topical corticosteroids or vitamin D analogues. Systematic reviews have rated the evidence as moderate due to the relatively small number and scale of high-quality randomized controlled trials. Overall, the scientific rationale for urea’s use is well-established mechanistically and supported by moderate clinical evidence.